MINDFULNESS BREATHING PRACTICE
- WITH THICH NHAT HAHN

I just returned from an inspiring retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh in southern France. He is an 86 year old Vietnamese living Buddha who walks in grace, gentleness and a deep reverence for life. Acknowledging that our busy lives do not afford the time to sit for hours on our cushion in deep contemplation,  he suggests we bring our mindfulness practice into each moment through conscious breathing. Deep diaphragmatic breathing brings us back home to ourselves.

 We spent hours walking mindfully along country roads in southern France with fields of sunflowers, hay stacks and cows grazing. He invited us to  bring our minds back to the present... through the breath... where we are nourished. He gathered the children around him every morning and talked to them (and our inner children) about how to be with anger, the interconnectedness of life and how to discover within the here and now our own innate ability to experience inner peace and happiness. Thich Nhat Hanh has written over 30 books. I recommend one of his new books "Peace Is Every Breath."

I feel blessed to have had this opportunity to be with this Zen master and look forward to sharing with you. 

Rainya Dann, Director, Institute Transpersonal Studies

Here is a mantra to incorporate the practice of mindfulness in every waking moment:

"I breathe in... I dwell deeply in this present moment.
I breathe out... I know this is a wonderful moment."