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Breath and Faith

Thich Nhat Hanh · May 20, 2010 · Lower Hamlet, Plum Village, France
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We practice breathing in rhythm with the ticking of the clock, giving 2% of our attention to the sound, and 98% to contemplation, beginning with the pattern:

  • 2 seconds breathing in – 3 seconds breathing out
  • then gradually shifting to 3-5, 4-6 (an easy rhythm to achieve, bringing health and peace), 5-8 (in harmony with the wonders of life)
  • When lying in a hammock, we practice “hammock meditation” with the 5-8 rhythm, then gradually increasing: 6-9, 6-10, 6-11, 8-12, even 10-15 seconds.
    When practicing walking meditation, take two steps while breathing in, three steps while breathing out; or four steps in, six steps out; then five steps in, eight steps out, gently aware of each breath and each step, dwelling in the present moment.

True happiness arises from within, not depending on external conditions. Three elements—faith, aspiration, and practice—create meaning and joy:

  1. Faith—the trust that gives rise to the aspiration to reduce suffering
  2. Aspiration—the motivation for daily action
  3. Practice—the result of actions based on faith and aspiration
    Practice right today through cooking rice, helping others, right thinking, enjoying the words of invocation or singing in French before eating, being grateful for the gift of the universe, and nurturing the faith in happiness in the present moment.
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