Hey Im new here in the forum.

Im a total meditation beginner and after reading MCTB I figured it would be best to start my pratice by doing concentration meditation and then move on to insight meditation after reaching the first jhana... as recommended by the book. 

Right now Im trying to sit for 30-60 min a day on the cushion. Is this a reasonable time?

However, I run into lots of difficulties while meditating and would like to know how you solved these:

It is almost impossible for me to really focus on the breath for the first 10 minutes of the meditation... after 10 minutes my mind seems to calm down and concentration gets much more intense. But I always find my self checking if Im really listening to the breath and it almost seems that a second level of attention is rechecking whether or not I really focus on the breath.

I dont know if anybody of you know what I mean by that since it is really hard to put it in words but any thoughts on that are highly appreciated. :-)

Welcome to the forum!

Yes


Thats normal. Pretty good actually, it often takes me longer.

The teacher, Upasaka Culadasa, would call that "introspective awareness".  If you are interested, Chris G. created a helpful post with a zip file attached with some of his teachngs:

http://www.dharmaoverground.org/web/guest/discussion/-/message_boards/view_message/5390038#_19_message_5377660

Upasaka Culadasa's youtube channel is here:

https://www.youtube.com/user/Culadasa

Thanks a alot... I will check it out

Yes
10 minutes is good to begin with and you will get better on average....lots of variety from sit to sit.
Notice the intensity...when does it get calmed down??? Can you watch that? Notice the breath and follow that but notice the state of mind also, notice any changes, any shifts. Pay attention to what is going on while meditating. If some pleasant feelings happen, you might wish to move your attention to the pleasantness and continue with that as object.
Good luck,
~D

Can somebody give me some more details on Upasaka Culadasa's background?
Is he an Arahant as well? Sorry for asking that kind of questions but I always feel better when I know where the information is comming from that I am using.

Cheers :-) :-)

He has a detailed bio on his website, Dharma Treasure, which you might want to peruse.

I ment some personal experience. :-)