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Winter Retreat
Mindfulness reveals life’s depth in the simplest acts: drinking tea with full presence, looking at the blue sky while breathing in “I am aware of the blue sky,” breathing out “I smile to the blue sky,” and sitting with loved ones. When mindfulness is strong and clear, even the sky “reveals itself” and life becomes possible in each moment.
The word Buddhism comes from the root budh—to wake up and know what is going on. A Buddha is simply someone fully present. Mindfulness—the capacity to be here and now—cultivates freedom, the foundation of happiness. Whether walking, cleaning the floor or bathroom, or practicing mindful breathing, anchoring body and mind in the present prevents us from being slaves to anger, fear, guilt or worry. By simply recognizing sensations and feelings—pleasant, unpleasant or painful—and “smiling” to them, we avoid the “second arrow” of resistance and remain free, suffering much less.
The kingdom of God or Buddha-land is available only to those who are free, here and now. With one in-breath, one out-breath and one mindful step, you enter that realm. The Buddha’s promise of emancipation in the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta unfolds in ever-shorter spans:
- seven years
- one year
- seven months
- seven days
-
one day
In each moment of practice—breathing, walking, cleaning—you cultivate freedom and touch true happiness.