A recipe for renewing yourself when you do not feel solid, happy, or ready is found in the discourse on the “Practice of Mindfulness of Breathing In and Out.” This practice consists of five exercises:

1. In, out: focusing attention on the in-breath and out-breath, recognizing and enjoying them without cerebral effort.
2. Deep, slow: noticing that the in-breath naturally becomes deeper and the out-breath becomes slower, which is healing and refreshing.
3. Calm, ease: allowing the body to relax and calm, and taking the time to be at ease with everything.
4. Smile, release: smiling to relax the facial muscles and releasing tension in the body, feelings, and emotions.
5. Present moment, wonderful moment: establishing oneself in the here and now, which is the only moment to be truly alive and touch the wonders of life.

The foundation of all Buddhist teaching and practice is the Four Noble Truths:

1. Ill-being: pain and suffering, which is noble because understanding it is the foundation of happiness and the path of liberation.
2. Cause, nature, making of suffering: discovering the source of nutriments that have brought suffering.
3. Cessation of ill-being: the presence of well-being, which is possible in the here and now.
4. Path of cessation: the path of transformation, healing, and well-being.
   Artists, writers, and filmmakers can use their talents to reveal these truths, helping people to understand their suffering and touch the wonders of life.

Suffering and well-being are understood in terms of consumption through the four nutriments:

1. Edible food: physical sustenance.
2. Sensory impressions: consumed through the six sense organs of eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind, which can either bring toxins or nourish physical and mental health.
3. Volition: the deepest desire or motive of life, which should be bodhicitta, the mind of awakening and love, rather than the craving for fame, power, wealth, or sex.
4. Consciousness: both individual and collective consciousness, which can create a prison of views or be a source of awakening, non-discrimination, and love.