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Mindful Breathing Meditation and the Art of Building the Sangha
Guided meditation is an original method from the time of the Buddha, helping us rely on the breath to dwell in mindfulness. The Anapanasati Sutra contains sixteen sample exercises, beginning with the model sentence “breathing in a long breath, I know I am breathing in a long breath,” which can be shortened to “breathing in, I know I am breathing in,” or simply “in”—“out,” while still retaining the full meaning. The shortened verse “breathing in, I feel joy; breathing out, I feel happiness” also helps the practice become light and joyful. When practicing in daily activities, such as washing hands, brushing teeth, or walking meditation, we combine mindfulness verses with the breath to maintain dwelling in the present moment and to transform wandering thoughts. The practice of Mindful Breathing Meditation has its roots in Vietnam from the third century through Zen Master Tang Hoi, and was transmitted thanks to his commentaries and those of two lay friends, Tran Tue and Bi Nghiep; today, many temples have restored this practice through the Plum Village edition.
In the T’ien-t’ai tradition, Great Master Zhiyi taught six wondrous Dharma doors of breathing in the Six Wondrous Dharma Methods to guide body and mind to a state of purity and insight:
- counting the breath
- following the breath (without counting)
- stopping (stilling body and mind)
- looking deeply (insight)
- returning (coming back)
- purity (purifying)
Sangha building is a key element to maintain mindfulness and continue the tradition: nourishing each other with love, practicing mere recognition so as not to judge, using Sangha Eye to illuminate strengths and weaknesses, and preserving the island within in each person. When brothers and sisters in practice know how to love, listen, and share, then each step, each breath becomes a journey returning to the ultimate dimension, living in peace and awakening.