Concentration is a prerequisite to true meditation and an invaluable aid in any-thing you do. The development of concentration is a primary purpose of the counting breath exercise, although as with all the other techniques given here, it has integrative effects on the entire being.
This breathing exercise can be done with passive or active breathing - you can either just let your body breathe normally, or take conscious control of your breathing. Do it both ways for a while, and you’ll discover which is best for you.
Sit with your spine straight. As you inhale, count to yourself silently, “one”;as you exhale, again count “one”. As you inhale again, count “two”; exhale, count“two”. Continue like this until you get to “ten”, then start the cycle over again with one. Your objective is to be able to do five sets of one through ten without your mind wandering. When you can do that, your concentration is well developed.Don’t expect to be able to do it right away, it takes time, it takes practice, but like everything else, the more you practice the better you get. Remember, when you find that you have drifted off somewhere, immediately go back to counting your breath without wasting concentration. If you will just be persevering/consistent with your exercises, you will get results, but be patient. Waiting IS!