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Mindful Breathing in Daily Life

Thich Nhat Hanh · March 6, 2007 · Plum Village, France · Monastic talk
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The practice of Mindful Breathing Meditation consists of four consecutive steps:

  1. Recognizing the breath: “breathing in is breathing in, breathing out is breathing out”—simple and clear.
  2. Following the breath all the way through (in – out, long – short) so that mindfulness and concentration both grow, generating joy and happiness.
  3. Breathing in – recognizing the whole body; breathing out – bringing the mind back to the body (body and mind as one).
  4. Releasing tension throughout the body, letting go of all stress that causes illness, bringing calm and peace to body and mind.

In a society full of stress (tension)—the root of most illnesses—it is necessary to nourish the practice of mindfulness and deep relaxation through:

  • Three sources of nourishment in the Sangha: effective Dharma doors, the teacher, and spiritual friends.
  • Four elements for lay friends: learning the true Dharma, practicing the Dharma doors, having a monastic refuge, and receiving love.
    Establishing more practice centers for monastics, training teachers who know how to live happily and support lay friends, is the foundation for “discharging” tension, saving young people, and building harmonious families and communities.
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Previous Talk March 1, 2007
1h 25m

Transforming Suffering

Next Talk March 15, 2007
2h 18m

Sounding the Bell of Love and Happiness in the Workplace