By Bob
I am shared a reading by Brother Pháp Hữu that has deeply resonated with my own practice lately. It’s a simple yet profound reminder of what we are actually doing when we sit.
Taking Refuge
The core of the message is that for those of us seeking to connect, the breath is mindfulness itself. When we take refuge in each breath—from the very beginning to the very end—nothing can interfere with that moment. Whether we are in formal meditation or just going about our day, following that breath helps bridge the gap between our mind and our body.
I’ve realized that by knowing I am breathing, I know I am here. And because I am here, I have agency. Being present in this way allows us to show up as the best versions of ourselves.
Breaking the Habit of “The Next Thing”
The reading brought up a point that I find so relatable: how quickly we lose our mindfulness. We are like someone looking at a beautiful sunrise—there is that initial feeling of “wow,” but then we’re already conditioned to move on to the next thing, losing our connection to the moment.
My own sitting meditation has been transformed by recognizing how quickly I jump from topic to topic or thought to thought. I’ve felt that uneasiness and agitation. But now, when a thought comes, I tell myself: “I’m just going to stick with my in-breath from the beginning to the end.” That is where the stillness starts to grow.
Knowing the Breath, Knowing the Self
This practice translates into my whole life. I’ve noticed that when I’m agitated or angry, my breath changes. By knowing my breath, I truly know myself.
We don’t have to suppress our irritation or our anger. Instead, we use the breath to shine a light on what is happening inside us. We identify it: “I am irritated right now.” If we can’t identify our breath, we have no hope of identifying our feelings before they hijack our awareness.
Bringing Compassion to the Table
Ultimately, the breath is a thread that allows us to see, think, and speak more compassionately. As meditators, that is exactly what we want to bring to the table in every connection we make: understanding, compassion, and love.
Hakone Zendo 