Meditation is about being truly there, body and mind united in the here and the now, the true address of life. Through mindful breathing, the mind comes back to the body to touch life deeply and obtain the first fruit of meditation: the oneness of body and mind. Meditation allows us to improve the quality of our presence with peace, freshness, solidity, and freedom. This true presence is the foundation of love, because to love means to be there. To cultivate this true love, we should practice two mantras:

1. Darling, I am truly here for you.
2. Darling, I know you are there, and I am very happy.

Being is the foundation of action. Before acting to change the world, it is essential to establish peace, harmony, and well-being in our own body and mind. Mindfulness is practiced in every moment: while eating, watering the garden, preparing a meal, driving, or practicing walking meditation. Walking with concentration, joy, and freedom, like a lion or a Buddha, allows us to touch the earth with gratitude and to realize that the kingdom of God is available in the here and the now.

Meditation rests on two essential aspects: stopping and looking deeply. To heal, we must relearn the art of resting, like a wounded animal in the jungle that lies down and stops to allow its body to repair itself. By stopping and taking refuge in the Dharma and the Sangha, we stop running after the future or regretting the past, and we offer ourselves the possibility to live fully in each moment.