Nhat Hanh
Nhat Hanh
Thích Nhất Hạnh; born as Nguyen Xuan Bao on October 11, 1926) is a Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist. He lives in Plum Village in the Dordogne region in the south of France, travelling internationally to give retreats and talks. He coined the term "Engaged Buddhism" in his book Vietnam: Lotus in a Sea of Fire. A long-term exile, he was given permission to make his first return trip to Vietnam in 2005...
NationalityVietnamese
ProfessionActivist
Date of Birth11 October 1926
CountryVietnam
Without full awareness of breathing, there can be no development of meditative stability and understanding.
When you produce peace and happiness in yourself, you begin to realize peace for the whole world. With the smile that you produce in yourself, with the conscious breathing you establish within yourself, you begin to work for peace in the world.
Breathing in, I am aware of my heart. Breathing out, I smile to my heart and know that my heart still functions normally. I feel grateful for my heart.
"I am breathing in and liberating my mind. I am breathing out and liberating my mind." One practices like this.
Follow your breathing, dwell mindfully on your steps, and soon you will find your balance.
Wherever we are we have the capacity to enjoy the sunshine, the presence of each other and the wonder of our breathing.
We have a lamp inside us. The oil of that lamp is our breathing, our steps, and our peaceful smile. Our practice is to light up the lamp.
Breathing in, I am aware that I am breathing in. Breathing out, I am aware that I am breathing out. Breathing in, I am grateful for this moment. Breathing out, I smile. Breathing in, I am aware of the preciousness of this day. Breathing out, I vow to live deeply in this day.
When you feel anger arising, remember to return to your breathing and follow it. The other person may see that you are practicing, and she may even apologize.
Breathing in, I know I am breathing in. Breathing out, I know I am breathing out.
To meditate with mindful breathing is to bring body and mind back to the present moment so that you do not miss your appointment with life.
Go back to the breathing and try to be in that moment deeply. Because there is a possibility to handle every kind of event and the essential is to keep the peace in yourself.
Even if you only stop and focus on your breathing for a few breaths, or for a minute or two, its very valuable.
With mindfulness - the practice of peace - we can begin by working to transform the wars in ourselves. Conscious breathing helps us do this.