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Breathing in, breathing out three times with anapanasati (mindful breathing), we become healthy and touch the wonders of the present moment. The Buddha taught Sanditthika (directly facing the present) and Akalika (not waiting for time) to experience happiness right now. Venerable Samidhi answered the celestial maiden that we practice not for future happiness, but for happiness in this very moment, through the method of mindfulness in breathing and in our steps. This method does not promise happiness after many years, but gives immediate results, called dwelling happily in the present moment.
Conscious breathing (mindfulness of breathing) and mindful steps bring us back to the present moment, healing tension and finding freedom. True happiness shines forth through our eyes, our smile, our words, and our steps. To dwell peacefully in the present, we recognize and cherish the conditions that are already available around us, for example through these five basic conditions:
- 1 The family gathered together, morning and evening
- 2 The cool breeze and bright moon caressing our face
- 3 Simple vegetarian meals content our heart
- 4 The vastness all around, the tide rising, clouds embracing
- 5 Past misfortunes have been swept away
These five conditions create the space and time for dwelling peacefully, helping us to live each moment deeply and to touch the kingdom of heaven right in our own heart.