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Basic Buddhist Teachings (Spring) 18 - Mindfulness of Breathing

Thich Nhat Hanh · May 1, 1994 · Plum Village, France
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In difficult spring times, remember that winter is a season of peaceful earth. The practice includes four establishments of mindfulness: body, feelings, mind, and objects of mind. The Satipatthana Sutta guides on the establishments of mindfulness, while the Anapanasati Sutta guides the method of mindful breathing. Mindful breathing helps connect with the body, feelings, mind, and objects of mind, including the eight consciousnesses and fifty-one mental formations. The Buddha taught fourteen breathing exercises equally divided among body, feelings, mind, and objects of mind. Thich Nhat Hanh emphasizes long and short breaths and the characteristics of the breath. He guides the method of counting breaths and following the breath, focusing on the breath to attain enlightenment. He also discusses taking care of the body and mental formations, especially joy and happiness. He encourages creating suitable methods and applying mindful breathing in daily life. He emphasizes that understanding the breath and body leads to enlightenment and peace. In the field of objects of mind, he discusses the impermanence and destruction of all things, guiding contemplation to achieve freedom and enlightenment. He warns that misunderstanding emptiness can easily lead to misconceptions and getting stuck in concepts.

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