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The Accident Becomes a Bell of Mindfulness
Any accident—external, such as a car collision, or internal, such as hasty words and thoughts—can become a bell of mindfulness, reminding us to live with awareness in order to reduce suffering and risk. No matter how solid material things may be, they cannot protect us as well as the energy of mindfulness; with mindfulness and concentration, wisdom will lead the way, helping us not to sow seeds of hatred or invite misfortune for ourselves and others.
The practice of mindfulness is applied to every daily activity:
- Cooking: “I am practicing mindful breathing” instead of “I am cooking.”
- Driving: every oncoming car is a bell, initiating ten breaths before inviting passengers to practice together; the “mindfulness practice vehicle (MPV)” becomes an instant means of protection.
- On the bus, a simple question about family becomes a condition to help the driver stay awake—protecting the lives of everyone.
Moving into the realm of meditation, Thay offers two verses from the Middle Way Treatise to clarify:
- If we say that things truly exist (inherent existence), how can they transform?
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If we say that things are truly nonexistent, how can they arise?
The teaching of the Middle Way transcends “existence–nonexistence,” not falling into views of permanence or annihilation, in order to open up insight, transform ignorance, and realize true happiness.
