Breathing in Virtues
In 1994, I fell in love with the work of Thich Nhat Hanh. One little meditation in particular seemed to turn my life around—from being a harried and hurried woman, to one who was more present, more at ease in her world.
This is the passage, culled from Living Buddha, Living Christ:
"Breathing in, I calm my body.
Breathing out I smile.
Dwelling in the present moment.
I know this is a wonderful moment."
Breathing out I smile.
Dwelling in the present moment.
I know this is a wonderful moment."
His were the first teachings that helped me realize I could "breathe in" a feeling other than the one I was currently experiencing ... allow it to be held gently within me ... allow it to transport me to a more peaceful place. Enough so that I could "breath out" as a new, more well-balanced version of myself.
Today, I invite you to quiet yourself.
Breathe in deeply, evenly, and allow any tension to dissipate. Breathe in this way as long as you need to to feel a sense of greater calm.
Select one virtue of the Spirit you would like to experience right now. Peace? Patience? Love? Kindness? Courage?
Select another virtue you would like to breathe out—to send out in the world for the benefit of all beings.
Keeping in rhythm with your breath, say:
Today, I invite you to quiet yourself.
Breathe in deeply, evenly, and allow any tension to dissipate. Breathe in this way as long as you need to to feel a sense of greater calm.
Select one virtue of the Spirit you would like to experience right now. Peace? Patience? Love? Kindness? Courage?
Select another virtue you would like to breathe out—to send out in the world for the benefit of all beings.
Keeping in rhythm with your breath, say:
"Breathing in ____________.
Breathing out ___________."
Breathing out ___________."
Breathe in and out this way as long as you desire.
Today, I am choosing to breathe in gratitude and breathe out joy.
It feels wonderful. I feel transformed, yet again ...
How about you?
I'd love to hear what you chose to breathe in and breathe out ...
Today, I am choosing to breathe in gratitude and breathe out joy.
It feels wonderful. I feel transformed, yet again ...
How about you?
I'd love to hear what you chose to breathe in and breathe out ...
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6 comments:
I love Thich Nhat Hanh's meditations and wisdom. One of my favourite quotes from him is:
"Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy."
I breathe in love
I breathe out joy
Blessings to you Jan.
beautiful practice Jan. Thich Nhat Hanh's books were some of the first I read on meditation as well. This morning I breath in sunshine...I breath out joy.
Hi Jan - love these and one day I shall settle .. I do sometimes remember .. and other things are coming into play .. so I keep moving forward.
These passages are truly a delight .. and that's the advantage of the blogging world - they keep dropping peacefully into the inbox!
Thanks for letting so much light in for me .. cheers, Jan, - Hilary
Kate,
Hi! Thanks for sharing this wonderful quote. I was not familiar with it. May all your breathings bring you love...
Laura,
Breathing in sunshine sounds delightful!
Hilary,
May the light continue to shine on you.
I breathe in healing energy to my bruised ribs and forgiveness.
I breathe out compassion and healing energy to all.
Beautiful thoughts and post, Jan.
"Today, I invite you to quiet yourself." Those words are just so lovely. Sigh ... We need that invitation and reminder. I'm another big fan of Thay's, one of my first teachers, too. I breathe in calm, I breathe out love.
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