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Basic Dharma 16: Lying Down and Inviting the Bell
Sitting meditation in the spirit of the Soto tradition is just sit, which means simply sitting quietly, without struggle, without seeking any achievement. When we sit in stillness, we let go of worries, projects, or thoughts, in order to touch peace right in the present moment; the three actions of body, speech, and mind become calm, and freedom and serenity radiate not only for ourselves but also for our ancestors, our lineage, and the future generations within us.
The practice of inviting the bell includes three sounds of the bell to lead into mindfulness, each sound invited with:
- Full awareness and mindful breathing (about six to eight seconds) so that the community has time to prepare to receive the sound
- A mind of loving kindness and mindfulness, so that the bell resounds gently, deeply, rising and falling like a jewel soaring through the air
- The silence between the sounds of the bell, allowing everyone to take three full breaths
Chanting and recitation (for example, “The Dharma body shines bright in the morning; a new day, we vow to walk in mindfulness…”) are performed with mindfulness, preserving the spirit and rhythm of the Vietnamese language’s tones—level, sharp, curve, and heavy—helping the sangha to harmonize body and mind, sowing the seed of spiritual music, and spreading joy and wisdom everywhere.