Most meditation practices begin with the breath, and there's a good reason. Here's how the breath anchors you in the present, why a morning practice helps, and how focusing on specific behaviors turns good intentions into results. Always hold fast to the present moment. For it is the representative of a whole eternity. Why start with the breath The breath works like an anchor. It holds your attention in the present and pulls it away from the chatter of your thoughts. Its steady rhythm connects you to the here and now. It also links mind and body, since each inhale and exhale sends signals to the brain that help center your thoughts and support mindfulness. Meditate in the morning Starting the day with intention sets the tone for what follows. The morning is a fresh chance to line up your thoughts and actions. Meditating then gives you calm and focus to carry into the day's challenges. From intentions to behaviors Aspirations and intentions are natural, but they stay abstrac...