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The Four Foundations and the Sixteen Breathing Exercises: The Journey of Non-Self
When living in a sangha, every daily action is not to serve the individual “self,” but to bring joy and success to the community, moving from the will to get to the will to give, thereby practicing non-self. Success is not for the ego, but for the ideal, for humanity, clearly expressed in the four paths of human life:
- The path of desire
- The path of success
- The path of service
- The path of renunciation
In the spirit of Engaged Buddhism, renunciation is not turning away from life, but a step leading to great happiness, originating from dwelling happily in the present moment—being aware of each breath, each step, each bite of food, in order to recognize impermanence without attachment. Alongside this is the practice of “an ma pháp”—massaging the body to circulate the blood and massaging the mind to release fear, hatred, and despair—supported by the sangha when coming into contact with suffering. The sixteen methods of therapeutic breathing, from calming the mind to releasing, help us to recognize, embrace, and transform all afflictions.