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Sitting meditation in English, French and Vietnamese
Sitting meditation is an opportunity to return to oneself, restore peace and happiness. To have a successful sitting session, practice and learning are needed. When sitting meditation, we return to our home—our five skandhas: form, feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness. Our presence creates harmony and warmth in our body and mind.
Prepare to return home refreshed and awake by prioritizing sleep and avoiding overworking. Find a comfortable sitting position that allows relaxation while keeping the spine straight. Begin by breathing in and smiling, which helps hundreds of facial muscles relax immediately. The energy that helps us recognize and arrange everything is mindfulness. To maintain this energy, focus on breathing: “Breathing in, I know I am breathing in.” Recognize the good things around you—healthy lungs, heart rhythm, the light in your eyes. When returning home, acknowledge your pain and suffering with compassion: “Hello, my sad feeling, I know you are there. Please sit with me.” This gentle acknowledgment brings relief. The mudra of concentration, like catching a dragonfly by its tail, ensures the mind doesn’t escape during meditation.
