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Living Nirvana in the Breath
Only two days remain until the beginning of the three-month Rains Retreat—a time for all monastics and lay friends to practice diligently, dwelling happily in the present moment in daily life, immersing themselves in the fundamental sutras and Dharma doors of healing and nourishing the mind.
– Diligence: Maintaining continuous mindfulness brings about true results.
– The present moment: The Dharma must be “dealing with the present moment,” not making promises about an illusory future, but directly addressing suffering right now.
– Happiness in the Present Moment: Joy and ease from the very first step, practicing gently and pleasantly, “lovely in the beginning.”
The method of mindful breathing at Plum Village fully embraces the spirit of Dwelling Happily in the Present Moment:
- “Breathing in, I know I am breathing in. Breathing out, I know I am breathing out.”
- “Breathing in, my in-breath has become deep. Breathing out, my out-breath has become slow.”
- “Breathing in, I feel well. Breathing out, I feel light.”
- “Breathing in, my mind is at peace. Breathing out, I smile.”
Finally, we abide in the present moment—“this wonderful moment”—so that with each breath, each step, we are already living in the Pure Land and Nirvana right here and now.
