by joeblast » Wed Oct 22, 2014 12:24 pm
A huge component of this is all enhancement of signal to noise ratios. As such, certain signals will be tough to decipher if the noise floor is too high. (If noise floor is above the peaks of the signal you are searching for, then need to lower the noise floor until those peaks start popping out.)
So first, spend a good chunk of practice time calming the breath, its the "loudest" ongoing physical process. Get things like posture and abdominal breathing focused on. As you get better with the abdominal breathing, refine the timing of the parts - diaphragm, psoas, perineum, front of abdomen. The "diaphragm descends" on inhale - but interpret that as the crura of the diaphragm pulling down into the dantien area on the inhale. In effect, a subtle intent to pull and descend, along the deep centerline, from about the solar plexus level, down to the dantien level. This point here is very important as the breath deepens - eventually you want to stop using the nose, sinuses, and air passageways to facilitate the movement of air, leaving the breath movements all in the guts. Why is this important - neural attenuation. Herky jerky gut motion produces extra excitatory signals in the nerves - as does air flow past the olfactory nerve.
Working out the timing of the parts is one of the things that "increases the (desired) signal" and also helps attenuate unwanted signal (noise.)
So a way to find the upper dt...the sphenoid sinus lies just on the opposite side of bone from it. Try inhaling to that sinus, but be gentle, too forceful and it will cause a headache. This is close to where it is. You'll understand more after putting in some time on the lower stuff first.
Even in mildly complex systems, any outcome is the wrong thing to target, with the process being where the focus should be.