The Mindfulness of Breathing is divided into four stages. Practitioners usually undertake either a twenty minute meditation - that's five minutes per stage - or a forty minute meditation - ten minutes per stage.

This is a meditation on the breath itself and is commonly performed by breathing through the nose and feeling the breath as it enters or leaves the body. Try to be 'mindful' of the sensations of your breath entering and leaving your body. Don't concentrate too hard, instead 'hold it like a feather'.

Stage One
In the first stage count (silently to yourself) after the breath from one to ten. Breathe in and out and then count one, breathe in and out and then count two. When you get to ten, start again at one. If your find you've mentally wandered off, bring your focus gently back to your breath and stat again at one.

Stage two
In stage two change the counting (always silently to yourself) to before the breath. Count one and then breathe in and out, count two and then breathe in and out. When you get to ten, start again at one.

Stage three
In stage three, stop counting altogether and just gently focus on your breath.

Stage four
In the last stage, focus on the breath at the point where it enters the body - the tip of your nostril if you are breathing through your nose.

Get a timer for the Mindfulness of Breathing here.