Breathing with Awareness

Mindful breathing is the bridge between body and mind. When we breathe consciously, we bring our scattered mind back to our body. In just three breaths, we can restore our calm, our peace, and our joy. The breath is always available to us, a faithful friend we can return to at any moment.

Breathing in, I calm my body. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is a wonderful moment.

Thich Nhat Hanh

Practice Instructions

You can practice mindful breathing anywhere — at your desk, on the bus, or lying in bed. Simply bring your attention to your breath. Breathe in and know you are breathing in. Breathe out and know you are breathing out. If you like, place one hand on your belly and feel it rise and fall. Use gathas (short verses) to guide your attention: “In” on the in-breath, “Out” on the out-breath. Start with five minutes and let the practice grow naturally.