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Im Königreich Gottes Gehen
A Day of Mindfulness is a day to make every moment peaceful and happy by learning to breathe, sit, walk, and speak in ways that make peace and joy possible. The energy of mindfulness allows us to be fully present in the here and the now, preventing us from being pulled away by regrets of the past or fears of the future. This energy brings the mind back to the body, allowing us to touch the wonders of life deeply and embrace our suffering tenderly for relief and healing. Through the collective energy of the Sangha and the practice of compassionate listening, we can recognize and transform the pain within ourselves and the world.
Listening to the sound of a bell is a practice of stopping all thinking and talking to touch the peace within. Whether it is a temple bell or a church bell, it is the voice of the Buddha calling us to our true home. Through mindful breathing, we touch the miracle of being alive. Specific exercises include:
- Breathing in, I am aware of my whole body.
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Breathing out, I release the tension in my body.
This practice of total relaxation is like a farmer identifying seeds; we scan our body to recognize and smile to our eyes, brain, heart, lungs, stomach, and kidneys, offering them compassion and rest.
Sitting meditation is the art of sitting and doing nothing, feeling as light and relaxed as a Buddha on a lotus flower. Walking meditation further establishes us in the present moment, where the kingdom of God is available. By taking two steps on the in-breath and three steps on the out-breath, we realize:
- I have arrived
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I am home
Happiness is possible now or never. By being fully alive and relaxed, we encounter the treasure of the present moment and dwell in the ultimate, as expressed in the song: I have arrived, I am home, in the here, in the now. I am solid, I am free. In the ultimate, I dwell.