Walking Meditation

Walking meditation is to enjoy the walking not in order to arrive, but just to walk. The purpose is to be in the present moment and, aware of our breathing, and our walking, to enjoy each step. Therefore we have to shake off all worries and anxieties, not thinking of the future, not thinking of the past, just enjoying the present moment.

Eating Mindfully

Eating a meal in mindfulness is an important practice. When the food is on the table and everyone is seated, we practice breathing. Then we look at each person as we breathe in and out in order to be in touch with ourselves and everyone at the table. Sitting at the table with other people, we have an chance to offer an authentic smile of friendship and understanding. After breathing and smiling, we look down at the food in a way that allows the food to become real. This food reveals our connection with the earth. Contemplating our food for a few seconds before eating, and eating in mindfulness, can bring us much happiness.

Bells of Mindfullness

In my tradition, we use the temple bells to remind us to come back to the present moment. Every time we hear the bell, we stop talking, stop our thinking, and return to ourselves, breathing in and out, and smiling. Whatever we are doing, we pause for a moment and just enjoy breathing. Sometimes we also recite this verse:

Listen, listen.
This wonderful sound brings me back to my true self.

You can use any sound to remind you to pause, breathe in and out, and enjoy the present moment. Even non-sounds, such as the rays of sunlight coming through the window, are bells of mindfulness that can remind us to return to ourselves, breathe, smile, and live fully in the present moment.

Sitting Meditation

The most stable posture for meditation is sitting cross-legged on a cushion. The half-lotus and full-lotus positions are excellent for establishing stability of body and mind. Allow your back to be straight, keep your eyes half closed, and fold your hands comfortably on your lap. If you prefer, can sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor and your hands resting on your lap. Or you can lie on the floor, on your back, with your legs straight out, a few inches apart, and your arms at your sides preferably palms up.

We need to practice meditation gently, but steadily, throughout daily life, not wasting a single opportunity or event to see deeply into the true nature of life, including our everyday problems. Practicing in this way, we dwell in profound communion with life.

Sitting Anywhere

When you need to slow down and come back to yourself, you do not need to rush home to practice conscious breathing. Whenever you are, you can breathe mindfully. We all need to go back to ourselves from time to time, in order to be able to confront difficulties of life. We can do this in any position; however, the sitting position is the most stable. Breathing mindfully in any position at any time can help you recover yourself.

Thinking Less

While we practice conscious breathing, our thinking will slow down and we can give ourselves a real rest. Most of the time, we think too much, and mindful breathing helps us to be calm, relaxed, and peaceful. It enables us to be in touch with life, which is wonder ful in the present moment.

Present Moment, Wonderful Moment

In our busy society, it is a great fortune to breathe consciously from time to time. There are many exercises we can do to help us breathe consciously. Besides the simple "In-Out" exercise, we can recite these four lines silently as we breathe in and out:

Breathing in, I calm my body.

Breathing out, I smile.

Dwelling in the present moment,

I know this is a wonderful moment!