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The Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing: A Wonderful Place of Refuge 2
During the winter retreat at the Full Moon Meditation Hall, Tu Nghiem Temple, mindfulness is defined as the energy that helps us to be fully present in the here and now. From this presence arises concentration and insight, which help us to untangle our suffering. Sitting meditation is the complete presence of body and mind; it is not for metaphysical thinking, but for dwelling peacefully in the present moment. Meditation practice first relies on the breath as the primary object of mindfulness, practicing regulation of the breath so that the breath, from being short and agitated, becomes light and deep. Regulating the body (sitting comfortably, with a straight back, relaxing the shoulders, neck, and face, and smiling) helps the body to be at ease, creating the conditions for the mind to be joyful. According to the Anapanasati Sutra and the Sutra on Mindful Breathing, there are six simple meditation exercises that support each other:
- Recognizing the in-breath and out-breath
- Calming the breath so it becomes harmonious and peaceful
- Being aware of the whole body while breathing
- Deeply relaxing through the breath
- Generating joy (the joy in the breath)
- Generating happiness (the feeling of joy and happiness in each step)
The art of meditation is likened to “seasoning soup” in cooking—skillfully adjusting the breath and the mind so that consciousness becomes fresh and healing. The metaphor of the boat that “runs on air” leading to liberation reminds us to bail out water (keep the precepts) and patch the boat (observe mindfulness trainings) so that afflictions do not sink us. In the Dhammapada, the venerable Dharmatrāta selected the essence from the great canon to create the Flower Fragrance, emphasizing these values:
- Health is the greatest benefit
- Knowing what is enough is the greatest wealth
- Good friends are the greatest asset
- Nirvana is the greatest happiness
These timeless teachings from the Dhammapada are an inexhaustible source, helping practitioners to dwell peacefully and to cultivate insight in daily life.