Welcome to Harmony Sangha

Our breathing is the stable, solid ground in which we can take refuge. Regardless of our internal weather – our thoughts, emotions, and perceptions- our breathing is always with us like a faithful friend. Whenever we feel carried away, or sunken in a deep emotion, or scattered in worries and projects, we return to our breathing to collect and anchor our mind.

We feel the flow of air coming in and going out through our nose. We feel how light and natural, how calm and peaceful our breathing functions. At any time, while we are walking, gardening, or typing, we can return to this peaceful source of life. We do not need to control our breath. Feel the breath as it actually is. It may be long or short, deep or shallow. With our awareness, it will naturally become slower and deeper. Mindful breathing is the key to uniting body and mind and bringing the energy of mindfulness into each moment of our daily life.

Sitting meditation is not to achieve anything. It is to be fully present. Sit in a comfortable position. Do not be afraid to change your position mindfully and quietly while you are meditating if you notice that the discomfort of your position interrupts your meditation. We allow the silence and calmness to penetrate our bodies. We allow the energy of the Sangha and its mindfulness to penetrate our body and mind. This is very healing.

Sitting meditation is like returning home to give full attention to and care for our self. We sit upright with serenity, and return to our breathing. We bring our full attention to what is within and around us. We let our mind become spacious and our heart soft and kind.

Sitting meditation is very healing. We realize we can just be with whatever is within us - our pain, anger, and irritation, or our joy, love, and peace. We are with whatever is there without being carried away by it. Let it come, let its stay, then let it go. No need to push, to oppress, or to pretend our thoughts are not there. Observe the thoughts and images of our mind with an accepting and loving eye. We are free to be still and calm despite the storms that might arise in us. If our legs or feet fall asleep or begin to hurt during the sitting, we are free to adjust our position quietly. We can maintain our concentration by following our breathing, as we slowly and attentively change our posture.

Wherever we walk, we can practice meditation. This means that we know that we are walking. We walk just for walking. We walk with freedom and solidity, no longer in a hurry. We are present with each step.

Let us walk as a free person and feel our steps get lighter. Let us enjoy every step we make. Each step is nourishing and healing. As we walk, imprint our gratitude and our love on the earth.

With each step we arrive in the here and now, becoming solid and free. We coordinate our steps and breathing as we walk. For example, we may take three steps with each in breath and three or four steps with each out-breath. We can say “In, in, in. Out, out, out” to help us identify the in-breaths and the out-breaths. We keep our breath natural and never force it. Our lungs will tell us how many steps we want to take with each breath.

We are aware of the contact between our feet and the earth. Look around and see how vast life is, the trees, the white clouds, the limitless sky. Listen to the birds. Feel the fresh breeze. Life is all around and we are alive and healthy and capable of walking in peace.

Dharma discussion is an opportunity to benefit from each other’s insights and experience of the practice. It is a special time for us to share our experiences, our joys, our difficulties and our questions relating to the practice of mindfulness. By practicing deep listening while others are speaking, we help create a calm and receptive environment. By learning to speak out about our happiness and our difficulties in the practice, we contribute to the collective insight and understanding of the Sangha. We base our sharing on our own experience of the practice rather than about abstract ideas and theoretical topics. We may realize that many of us share similar difficulties and aspirations. Sitting, listening and sharing together, we recognize our true connections to one another.

Please remember that whatever is shared during the Dharma discussion time is confidential. If a friend shares about a difficulty he or she is facing, respect that he or she may or may not wish to talk about this individually outside of the Dharma discussion time.

About

Harmony Sangha is a community of mindful living sangha practicing in the tradition of Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.

Join our mailing list and Facebook page!

Social Links

Contact