In Gratitude To The Master

Thich Nhat Hanh, the gentle Zen Master whose teachings on mindfulness touched millions across the world, introduced meditation in the simplest of ways—through the miracle of conscious breathing.

His wonderfully calm and effortless morning meditation stays with me all day, for as I finish the calm and ease breathing meditation, I wonder why the world seems quieter. Nothing outside has changed. Yet something within has, it is then that life begins to reveal a new meaning.

Having practised it for years, I discovered that during the most turbulent phase of my life, when everything outside me seemed to be falling apart, these simple breaths became an anchor and brought an even deeper essence to it.

It begins with:

As you breathe in, know that you are breathing in, and as you breathe out, know that you are breathing out.

So yes, as you become aware of your breath while writing, working, or exercising, it gently brings you to where you need to be—just here and now, aligned with your breath.

Then know that your breath is deep as you breathe in, and slow as you breathe out. Even as you do so, it leaves an imprint, so that when you move into your day-to-day activities and events, they begin changing the calm temperament of your morning breathing routine into anxiety, fear, or anger. That is when the second exercise of noticing your breath deepening and slowing plays a significant role.

Feel it, guys.

Before you react to the incident, breathe in deep and breathe out slow…

Whoosh… Vamoose..

Now on to the next.

As you breathe in calm and breathe out ease… man, this sure works.

Calm and ease enter the moment and linger on long enough until the next moment arrives with the next breath.

Well, the next one spells a smile.

A smile on your lips, no matter what.

Smile through pain, sorrow, anxiety, joy and peace.

That smile that doesn’t change the world. It changes the one looking at it.

Just smile as you breathe in, and then, as you breathe out, let go of everything that bogged you down.

Let go of pain, sorrow, hurt, anxiety and anger.

Just let go.

And then, as you breathe in, know that you are here, now.

As you breathe out, know that it is a wonderful moment.

One where, at this very moment, whatever I’m doing, I’m simply here—with no pain, anxiety, stress, hurt, anger or ego.

For remember…

I’ve just let it all go.

So as I stand here in this moment of freedom, the very breath I take is free, and I know it.

And as I then breathe out, I know it’s a wonderful moment.

Writing this here, and feeling this wonderful moment, my heart is filled with gratitude.

Gratitude to the Master, Thich Nhat Hanh.

To the Universe.

To the souls entering my life, bringing with them an unsurpassable glow, I say hello.

To the ones with whom I’ve interacted, providing me with both sweet and bitter experiences, helping me evolve further…

It may be time to say goodbye..

And then tomorrow, when I breathe in once again.. I’ll simply smile … because this is the wonderful moment. The moment called Life.