<p>it's actually a step-up that you can feel the temperature of the breath. It indicates that your level of concentration is above-normal. I would suggest that you continue the breath practice consistently for a few weeks to a month (without expecting any results - I've learnt that 'letting things be' is the key when meditating.) You should be able to feel more at your nostrils by then. Hope this helps! :)</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-03-22T07:54:12.983Z
Thank you.  One thing I notice is that if I wear earplugs I can concentrate more
Saddhā
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-03-22T08:10:54.897Z
That was what I was advised at the meditation retreat I attended as well. No harm in using earplugs to block out noise / distraction, since our goal is to enable a higher level of concentration.
Samantha C
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2024-03-22T07:29:45.753Z
2024-03-22T07:29:45.753Z
Samantha C
<p>The Buddha never taught about nostrils.</p>
<p>The Anapanasati Sutta instructs to bring mindfulness (recollection of/being established in Dhamma principles) to the fore.</p>
<p>The most important aspect of Anapanasati meditation is the mind is at ease so the mind remains clear &amp; feels the breathing in a natural way.</p>
<p>If the breathing is prematurely &amp; deliberately watched at the nostrils, eventually, the breathing will become undiscernible because the breathing becomes too fine but the ambitious mind remains too coarse. In addition, sleepiness/sloth will likely develop.</p>
<p>Stream-enterers do not attempt to direct the mind upon/towards the breathing. Instead, stream-enters (like silent predators) allow the breathing to come to the mind.</p>

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2024-03-24T09:42:45.943Z
2024-03-24T09:47:58.117Z
2024-03-24T09:47:58.117Z
Dhamma Dhatu
<p>I usually focus on breath at the stomach but recently decided to try at the nostrils as I read it's better and also that's what the Buddha taught. I have no problem feeling the breath going in as it feels cooler but 99% of the time I feel nothing breathing out. So i just try to focus my mind in that area even though there's no sensation bring felt. Is this ok or should I just stick to stomach?</p>

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Breathing at nostrils
# Breathing at nostrils

(Asked by: username_0 on 2024-03-21)

I usually focus on breath at the stomach but recently decided to try at the nostrils as I read it's better and also that's what the Buddha taught. I have no problem feeling the breath going in as it feels cooler but 99% of the time I feel nothing breathing out. So i just try to focus my mind in that area even though there's no sensation bring felt. Is this ok or should I just stick to stomach?

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2024-03-22. Score: 1

it's actually a step-up that you can feel the temperature of the breath. It indicates that your level of concentration is above-normal. I would suggest that you continue the breath practice consistently for a few weeks to a month (without expecting any results - I've learnt that 'letting things be' is the key when meditating.) You should be able to feel more at your nostrils by then. Hope this helps! :)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thank you.  One thing I notice is that if I wear earplugs I can concentrate more  
> **username_1**: That was what I was advised at the meditation retreat I attended as well. No harm in using earplugs to block out noise / distraction, since our goal is to enable a higher level of concentration.  

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### Answer by username_2 on 2024-03-24. Score: 1

The Buddha never taught about nostrils.

The Anapanasati Sutta instructs to bring mindfulness (recollection of/being established in Dhamma principles) to the fore.

The most important aspect of Anapanasati meditation is the mind is at ease so the mind remains clear & feels the breathing in a natural way.

If the breathing is prematurely & deliberately watched at the nostrils, eventually, the breathing will become undiscernible because the breathing becomes too fine but the ambitious mind remains too coarse. In addition, sleepiness/sloth will likely develop.

Stream-enterers do not attempt to direct the mind upon/towards the breathing. Instead, stream-enters (like silent predators) allow the breathing to come to the mind.


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