A Single Breath

The Buddha asked a Shramana [monastic], ‘How long is the human life span?’
He replied, ‘A few days.’
The Buddha said,‘You have not yet understood the way.’

He asked another Shramana, ‘How long is the human life span?’
The reply was, ‘The space of a meal.’
The Buddha said, ‘You have not yet understood the way.’

He asked another Shramana, ‘How long is the human life span?’
He replied, ‘The length of a single breath.’
The Buddha said, ‘Excellent. You have understood the way.’

- The Buddha
(Section 38 of ‘The Sutra in 42 Sections’)

Be Present in the Midst of Beauty

Take a deep breath and appreciate the beautiful sunrise ...

Breath In, I Smile

If you touch one thing with deep awareness, you touch everything.


"At the moment of waking up, before getting out of bed,

Get in touch with your breath.

Feel the various sensations in your body.

Note any thoughts and feeling that may be present,

Let mindfulness touch this moment.

Can you feel your breath?

Can you perceive the dawning of each in breath?

Can you enjoy the feeling of the breath freely entering your body in this moment?

Breathe in I smile,

Breathe out I calm my body,

Dwelling in the present moment,

It is a wonderful moment.”

- Thich Nhat Hanh

Time Is Our Present Breath

Many people who are born and died lived a mindless and unexamined life.

They are so busy "living life" that they forget the very fundamental things about themselves.

Their egos obscured who they really are.

Yes, they can buy beautiful things to make themselves feel good and indulge in activities that supposedly bring them happiness.

And yet, many of them are never even aware of their breath going in and out of their bodies.

That is how far away they are from their true selves. That is how mindless they are.

Think about it a little bit. What is more important than your own breath?

Without it, you are no longer alive.

With every breath that you take, you consciously mark every second of your time. Every breath is time and the Present.

So, breath in and out consciously. Meditate on your breath in the quiet moments of your "busy" lives. Find the Truth within you.

Give thanks for the breath going in and out of your bodies.

Be grateful that your breath is giving you life.

Rejoice in the simple activity of breathing...