Reflections on Breathing in Meditation

1- the author says " we can exhale as much air as possible[ this is about 1100 milliliter of air, and it is known as expiratory reserve volume] and then remain without breathing for a considerable period." Sekida, 53.

Elsewhere in the same chapter the author says this " in recovering expiratory reserve volume, a rather quick inspiration is natural and desirable." Sekida, 58. Failing to do so, in part, " will lead to a shallow and uneasy mental condition." Sekida, 58.

The statements appear to be contradicting.

I probably have refused to inspire when doing so was desirable and natural thing to do, leading perhaps to shallow and uneasy mental condition. I also probably refused to expire when doing so was desirable thing to do, leading to the condition stated above.

I resolved this problem by inhaling or exhaling air when there is an urgent need for it, yet not exhaling or inhaling too much, since breathing method suggested requires slow expiration to sustain tension in the lower abdomen or tanden.

Reference
Katsuki Sekida, Zen Training: Methods and Philosophy
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