Looking for God’s Goodness in contemplation and prayer.
Finding goodness in this Meditation Poem (On breathing) From The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching, by Thich Nhat Hanh
The fourth element of our body is air. The best way to experience the air element is the practice of mindful breathing.
“Breathing in, I know I am breathing in. Breathing out, I know I am breathing out.” After saying these sentences, we can abbreviate them by saying “In” as we breathe in and “Out” as we breathe out. We don’t try to control our breathing. Whether our in-breath is long or short, deep, or shallow, we just breathe naturally and shine the light of mindfulness on it. When we do this, we notice that, in fact, our breathing does become slower and deeper naturally. “Breathing in, my in-breath has become deep. Breathing out, my out-breath has become slow.” Now we can practice, “Deep/slow.” We don’t have to make an extra effort. It just become deeper and slower by itself, and we recognize that. Later on, you will notice that you have become calmer and more at ease. “Breathing in, I feel calm. Breathing out I feel at ease. I am not struggling anymore. Calm/ease.” And then, “Breathing in, I smile. Breathing out, I release all my worries and anxieties. Smiles/release.’ We are able to smile to ourselves and release all our worries. There are more than three hundred muscles in our face, and when we know how to breathe in and smile, these muscles can relax. This is “mouth yoga.” We smile and are able to release all our feelings and emotions. The last practice is, “Breathing in, I dwell deeply in the present moment. Breathing out, I know this is a wonderful moment. Present moment/wonderful moment.” Nothing is more precious than being in the present moment fully alive and aware.
In, out
Deep, slow
Calm, ease
Smile, release
Present moment, wonderful moment.
If you use this poem during sitting or walking meditation, it can be very nourishing and helping. Practice each line for as long as you wish.
Another practice to help us be aware of our breathing is counting. As you breathe in, count “one” and as you breathe out, count “one” again. Then “Two/two,” “Three/three,” until you arrive at ten. After that, go back in the other direction: “Ten/ten,” “Nine/nine,” and so on, until you arrive back at one. If you do get lost go back to “one” and begin again. Relax. It’s only a game. When you succeed in counting, you can drop the numbers if you like and just say “in” and “out.” Conscious breathing is a job.”
Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk recently breathed his last breath. His lifelong efforts toward peace – particularly during the war in Vietnam – inspired Martin Luther King Jr. to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967.
Weekly Reflection Summary
Sunday – Vulnerability. The birthplace of love.
Monday – The Obstacle. It is the Way.
Tuesday – Survive or Thrive. Nourishment for the bones.
Wednesday – Just Breathe. Is the name of God the sound of breathing?
Thursday – The Spirit of Truth. You know him, for he lives with you.
Friday – Constant Companion. Knowing I’m never alone.
The Path: Looking for God’s Goodness and Weekly Reflection Summary
Month Two: The Virtue of Prudence. Valuing God and finding hope and joy.
Looking for God’s Goodness in contemplation and prayer.
You might find goodness in this Meditation Poem (On breathing) From The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching, by Thich Nhat Hanh
The fourth element of our body is air. The best way to experience the air element is the practice of mindful breathing. “Breathing in, I know I am breathing in. Breathing out, I know I am breathing out.” After saying these sentences, we can abbreviate them by saying “In” as we breathe in and “Out” as we breathe out. We don’t try to control our breathing. Whether our in-breath is long or short, deep, or shallow, we just breathe naturally and shine the light of mindfulness on it. When we do this, we notice that, in fact, our breathing does become slower and deeper naturally. “Breathing in, my in-breath has become deep. Breathing out, my out-breath has become slow.” Now we can practice, “Deep/slow.” We don’t have to make an extra effort. It just become deeper and slower by itself, and we recognize that. Later on, you will notice that you have become calmer and more at ease. “Breathing in, I feel calm. Breathing out I feel at ease. I am not struggling anymore. Calm/ease.” And then, “Breathing in, I smile. Breathing out, I release all my worries and anxieties. Smiles/release.’ We are able to smile to ourselves and release all our worries. There are more than three hundred muscles in our face, and when we know how to breathe in and smile, these muscles can relax. This is “mouth yoga.” We smile and are able to release all our feelings and emotions. The last practice is, “Breathing in, I dwell deeply in the present moment. Breathing out, I know this is a wonderful moment. Present moment/wonderful moment.” Nothing is more precious than being in the present moment fully alive and aware.
In, out
Deep, slow
Calm, ease
Smile, release
Present moment, wonderful moment.
If you use this poem during sitting or walking meditation, it can be very nourishing and helping. Practice each line for as long as you wish.
Another practice to help us be aware of our breathing is counting. As you breathe in, count “one” and as you breathe out, count “one” again. Then “Two/two,” “Three/three,” until you arrive at ten. After that, go back in the other direction: “Ten/ten,” “Nine/nine,” and so on, until you arrive back at one. If you do get lost go back to “one” and begin again. Relax. It’s only a game. When you succeed in counting, you can drop the numbers if you like and just say “in” and “out.” Conscious breathing is a job.”
Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk recently breathed his last breath. His lifelong efforts toward peace – particularly during the war in Vietnam – inspired Martin Luther King Jr. to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967.
Weekly Reflection Summary
Sunday – Vulnerability. The birthplace of love.
Monday – The Obstacle. It is the Way.
Tuesday – Survive or Thrive. Nourishment for the bones.
Wednesday – Just Breathe. Is the name of God the sound of breathing?
Thursday – The Spirit of Truth. You know him, for he lives with you.
Friday – Constant Companion. Knowing I’m never alone.
Smitten With Goodness 