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Monastics Chanting
Breathing in the three–five rhythm (inhaling for three seconds, exhaling for five seconds, each sound about one second), when listening to the sound of the violin or singing, harmonizing with the breath to generate a powerful collective energy. The phrases “I take refuge and return” are repeated to help us take refuge in the Dharma and the Sangha—the five aggregates protecting body and mind. After becoming familiar with the three–five rhythm, you can practice the four–six rhythm, singing and playing music, breathing with the lyrics and the images in your mind. Each breath corresponds to one word, keeping it concise, so that mindfulness is present in every moment. Practice, return, and take refuge—this is the path to living peacefully in the present moment.
Some evocative metaphors to help maintain mindful breathing:
- breathing in, I am a fresh flower
- breathing out, I am a solid mountain
- breathing out, I am still water reflecting
- breathing out, I am vast space
Practice meditation songs with simple melodies, like monosyllabic English songs; at first with lyrics, and once familiar, just listening to the music is enough to breathe with the energy of life. Songs such as “I invite my father and mother to return to me,” or “the five-year-old child” resound like invitations to return to our breath, to the life within us. In the classroom, you can replace the bell with a song; everyone breathes together with the music, in rhythm, energy increases, and the mind stops thinking. Just a few minutes of breathing can help us feel healthier, stop thinking, and use the breath to soothe our suffering. You can share breathing meditation songs online or develop “guided breathing” with music, helping people to awaken and stop thinking more easily.
