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Retreat for Young People and Buddhist Youth Association – Prajña (1)

Thich Nhat Hanh · April 24, 2008 · Vietnam · Audio Only
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The retreat “Listening to Understand, Looking Back to Love” at Bat Nha Monastery lasted four days, guiding the practice of sitting, breathing, and walking to relax body and mind, prevent stress and illness. The sitting meditation exercise based on the Anapanasati Sutra includes:

  • Breathing in: being aware of the whole body with its tensions and aches
  • Breathing out: releasing tension, smiling so that the 300 muscles on the face can relax

In daily activities—sitting in front of the computer, eating, walking meditation—practitioners practice:

  1. Sitting peacefully as if on a lotus flower
  2. Deep relaxation of the whole body in lying, sitting, or walking positions
  3. Eating slowly, chewing thoroughly, contemplating the sources of nourishment from the earth, the sky, and our ancestors

During walking meditation, four gathas are offered to remember and practice with each step:

  1. Each step is life
  2. Each step is a miracle
  3. Each step is healing
  4. Each step is freedom

Statistics from 2007 in France show that 46,000 young people left home and an average of 33 people committed suicide each day, emphasizing the need to reduce stress, restore communication between children and parents, and bring happiness back to the family.

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