What is the relationship between deep meditation and the slowing of breath?
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outcome
"In deep meditation, as life-energy retreats toward the soul, breath becomes a whisper, revealing the effortless stillness of existence beyond life."
According to Osho, in deep meditation life-energy withdraws from the body toward the soul, so the body requires minimal oxygen; breath naturally becomes thinner, slower, with spontaneous gaps, and at perfect equilibrium (samadhi) can cease entirely. This is not forced retention but effortless stillness - the breath was only a key; once awakening begins, it falls away as awareness abides in existence beyond life.
When you get very, very calm inside, your body needs less air, so breathing gets soft and slow and may pause by itself; don't force it or be scared.
Why this matters practically
- Recognize natural breath slowing as a sign of depth
- Avoid forcing retention; let stillness happen by itself
- Stay relaxed when pauses arise, resting attention in awareness
- Avoid forcing retention; let stillness happen by itself
- Stay relaxed when pauses arise, resting attention in awareness
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