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Fresh as a Flower
“Breathing In, Breathing Out” reminds us that in mindful breathing we can bloom like a flower, feel the freshness of dew, the solidity of a mountain and the openness of water reflecting what is true—and that in this state we touch the Buddha within as refuge, calm strong emotions, and unite body and mind in the present moment.
Calming (śamatha) and looking deeply (vipaśyanā) are like stopping to focus a camera and then pressing the button to gain insight. Four guiding images help concentration and clarity:
- Flower-fresh—breathing in, “I see myself as a flower”; breathing out, “I feel fresh.”
- Mountain-solid—breathing in, “I see myself as a mountain”; breathing out, “I feel solid.”
- Water-reflecting—breathing in, “I see myself as still water”; breathing out, “I reflect things as they are.”
- Spaceness—breathing in, “I see myself as space”; breathing out, “I feel free.”
Walking meditation—one in-breath, one step; one out-breath, one step—keeps us arriving in the here and now, reminding us we’ve already reached the kingdom of peace. Eating is approached as touching the whole universe through five contemplations read before each meal:
- This food is a gift of heaven, earth and much hard work.
- May we eat in a way worthy to receive it.
- May we transform unskillful states of mind, especially greed.
- May we take only foods that nourish us and prevent illness.
- We accept this food so we may realize the path of practice, develop understanding, love and protect life.
Practices like chewing a string bean fifty times or eating bread with full awareness turn every bite into an opportunity to touch sky, earth and our own living presence, while family “Beginning Anew” sessions cultivate deep listening and loving speech.