Exercises on Mindful Breathing | Dharma Talk by Thich Nhat Hanh, 2004 01 18

The monastic community is practicing during the Rainy Season Retreat from January 4 to March 14 at Deer Park Monastery with the lay community. This 83-minute dharma talk in the Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall takes place on Sunday, January 18, 2004 at the beginning of the third week.
It takes about 5-minutes to work through some technical difficulties before the dharma talk begins. During that time Thay reflects on a few small things like the freshness of the air in Deer Park and the upcoming Year of the Monkey. The monkey is in the mind. Our practice is not to force the monkey to stop, but to become aware of the movement of the mind. We don’t try to suppress our mind.
Last time we spoke about how to become fully present and fully alive. The practice is so easy that it would be a pity if you don’t do it. The power and energy of mindfulness is available because we all have the seed of mindfulness in our consciousness. If we keep the energy of mindfulness, concentration, and insight then we are good continuations of the Buddha. But we also live in forgetfulness and we can transform this with the flower of mindfulness. Garbage and flowers. We are like organic gardeners that can produce the flowers of peace and happiness. Our happiness arises from elements of affliction and we don’t need to be afraid of the garbage. We don’t need to run away from our pain and sorrow.
Mindful Breathing Exercises
The Buddha offered very simple and effective methods of practice. We can master these methods and we can no longer be afraid of sickness, fear, despair, or even death. In the Sutra on Mindful Breathing, the first exercise is simply breathing in and out. Simple identification and awareness. Thay offers several methods on how to follow our in breath and out breath. When mindfulness is there, then concentration is there too. Concentration is born from mindfulness. This first exercise proposed by the Buddha is so easy and so simple. It is for our enjoyment. It is a gift. And when we practice mindfulness, we are a Buddha.
The second exercise is long and short. Following our breath all the way through. Breathing in a long breath, I know I am breathing in a long breath. Breathing in a short breath, I know I am breathing in a short breath. But the practice is not to try and make the breath longer or shorter. Don’t try to force your breath. Your breath is what it is. Simple, mere recognition. Just turn on the light of mindfulness and become aware of it. It is like the sunshine and the flower. Mindfulness is the sunshine and the energy will recognize and embrace the flower, our breath. The photons of the sunshine penetrate right into the flower and it opens. Our in-breath and out-breath are like a flower. In our practice of meditation, there are three elements: body, mind, and breath. They are interconnected with each other. These can become one, and all of them inherit from the energy of mindfulness and concentration brought about by mindful breathing. The second exercise suggests we enjoy our in-breath and out-breath all the way through from the beginning to the end. To follow your breath.
The third exercise is awareness of the whole body. Breathing in, I am aware of my body. Breathing out, I am aware of my body. This is a practice of going home to your body and being present. We can reconcile with our body. Awareness is already enlightenment. We receive a short teaching on “formations.” The formation of our physical body. We are fully aware that our body fully is. To recognize our body as a formation. This practice can help to heal our body. Awareness and practicing with a smile. It’s yoga of the mouth. How do we practice this even if our mind and body are not aligned? We can smile to release all the tensions and relax the body. If you are a doctor or a therapist, you may want to explore more with the Sutra on Mindful Breathing.
Thay offers very specific methods to practice mediation using these exercises. Everyone can succeed with these exercises.
Awareness of feelings is the fifth exercise. Breathing in, I feel joy. I am aware of the feeling called joy. Breathing out, I feel joy. This too is a formation, but they are a mental formation. The sixth is similar but we are calling forth our feeling of happiness. Joy and happiness are there for our nourishment and healing. We start with these seeds of joy and happiness before moving to those feelings that cause us to suffer. But these exercises are not simply auto-suggestion, but happiness and joy can be born if we know how to touch the seed. The first way to bring joy is to leave behind; to let go. Maybe something we believe to be crucial to our happiness.
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[@susanaperez524]

He is so sweet and soft and easy in his explanations so everybody can do this. He helps me becoming calm and peacefull. Such a gentile smile and way of thinking or non thinking

[@mrshorts2885]

😅

[@MariaCosta-go7fc]

I have never heard anything more beautiful, more lovely, thank you, thank you, thank you

[@wendynadler2303]

You are my main teacher and I am healing mind and body Amazing. Your helps me return to me. Thank you Thay

[@evaeva-ju5pd]

This man brought peace into my life this week just listening to his videos made all my worries irrelevant

[@wendyclayton5709]

Wonderful teaching, you have helped me immensely to understand and cope with a newly diagnosed health condition. Thank you so much💮🔆🤗🐝🐞🌸🌻🏵

[@pratham34]

This video will change my life forever 😊

[@conexionhumana8045]

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VENERABLE THAY. Yes, you're right hundred percent, when a therapist help his/her patients with this jewels of knowledge the difference is big. I love when you explain about the importance of smiling, that action has so many capacities, one of them -to me- is to transform no easy situations to EASY MOMENTS TO LIVE and continue step by step. Lots of hugs. Evangelina Cortes.

[@KRSNALOKO813]

5:49 Bell Is Invited 14:12 First Exercise Proposed By The Buddha: In/Out 27:45 Second Exercise Offered By The Buddha: Long/Short 35:56 Three Elements of Meditation 39:23 Third Exercise Proposed By The Buddha: Awareness of Body 46:48 Fourth Exercise Proposed By The Buddha: Allow Body To Relax 49:30 Plum Village Combination of Exercises and Introduction of Smile 1:00:31 Fifth Exercise I Feel Joy 1:01:33 Sixth Exercise I Feel Happiness

[@superdjurdjina]

I must let go my "cows"..What a beautiful way to present the ultimate truth🩷

[@melissamontminy1743]

35:41 Mindfulness breathing practice has allowed me to become more stable, more solid.❤

[@ConexionHumanaOficial]

Monkey is in the mind! You're great Venerable Thay. Your wisdom is amazing. The way you teach is wonderful; profound and humorously at the same time. My honor and gratitude to you. Evangelina Cortes.

[@sandysklar6555]

Aaaaa QQ aa

[@alexandercrawford6785]

"Being alive is the greatest miracle."

[@sleepycat224]

Dear Thay you make peace and calmness into my mind and decrease my anxiety. Thank you 🙏🏻💖✨☸️🕉

[@MultiNickDanger]

Such a beautiful person.

[@mumblerocks77]

I can't say enough good things about Thay's dhamma talks to my friends. He really embodies the spirit of metta and calm and it just spreads through the speakers into your body. Thank you, teacher!

[@ConexionHumanaOficial]

I'm watering the seeds of happiness THANKS TO YOU!!! Evangelina Cortes.

[@LanDarson]

This is something every child should be taught. So insightful, I’ve told everyone I know about him and his immense wisdom. 🤍

[@ericthorsfeldt3030]

Children already know. I remember times of mindfulness as a child. Peace, stillness. If I didn’t remember or experience, I wouldn’t be listening.🙏

[@cheekynarnar]

Beautiful , beautiful man x

[@scarlettfreedom3629]

I listen to this as I am bed ridden in pain and weakness 😭🙏🏻

[@orlacollins9884]

🤗

[@AngieF8]

This is the most healing thing you can do. also there is one called Introduction to Mindfulness; Tranquility meditation with his teachings also. We forget we have bodies until they become ill. Sometimes it seems they get our attention so we can learn to come home look within and heal. All of his teachings are healing and so full of love Best wishes for healing your body and the suffering of the mind. 🙏🏻

[@AngieF8]

I found the link. This is also very healing. I plan to listen with my parents soon. Both have rarely lived in the present moment, nor did I until recently. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGbKfn1nd9Sph5I

[@fraserhawkins4462]

Hope you are feeling better by now!

[@lorisilverman3052]

🙏🙏🙏💖💖💖

[@alexandramarcelino8031]

Thank you so much. May these teachings flourish for the sake of all.

[@user-mn2jj7gf3k]

스님을 뵈니 기뻐요 이세상 에 스님 같으신분 백명만 있으셔도 이런 세상은 아니였을 텐대요

[@orangebetsy]

I'm a violinist. Approching 37:49, when he says.."it's like playing....." in the long pause, i thought...'violin?' then BOOM he says violin hahaha I call that auspicious =)

[@lauralunaazul]

Yesss!!!😋😊

[@poetrykellymaiden5457]

🙏🦋💕🌺🌷🏵️🌻🌸 I love you so much Thich ✨ thank you for sharing love and being a source of love ✨

[@kippapao]

All I want is awareness of awareness!

[@LouiseDAlise]

Many Thanks 🙏

[@Cheeks63091]

Thank you beautiful soul 💕

[@paulclark5874]

Thank you so much...

[@j.shepard6818]

Thank you so much for this talk

[@braebeen6502]

Beautiful soul thank you

[@ncl49]

Thank you for your teachings, dear Master Thay! 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤

[@conexionhumana8045]

Thanks a lot Venerable Thay. This is Great. I like the teaching of to touch the seeds of joy an happiness in my consciousness.For sure I'll listen this excellent class in order to learn and understand little bit more in every step. I try to practice the most it's possible to me. Evangelina Cortes.

[@tigistusiba7837]

An amazing person who helps us to learn how to fight our problems in a very easy way. As he says we are caught by thinking of unnecessary things. In other way, our world politicians and leaders always looking for ways to create problems among people for their personal and egoist benefits which is very sad. As Thay said these officials need to practice mindfulness for peace. Let's try to work for everyone's well-being!!!

[@ConexionHumanaOficial]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH DEAR THAY. The total of the Dharma Talk is full of your wisdom, but the last words are valuable. I'm working on that step by step. My honor and gratitude to you. Evangelina Cortes.

[@rinadror]

Every morning I start practicing mindfulness breathing.Your soothing voice has a big impact on concentration.Thank you Thay. You change my life.

[@SS-wz8po]

So very powerful ways of teaching. Thank you so much. I must learn how to Let go of my clinging now. Everything is a form and form will be gone. The natural law of impermanence. 🙏🙏🙏♥️

[@lauralunaazul]

"Freedom is the foundation of true happines and joy"

[@MikeRamirez4781]

This great man has helped me with my anxiety.

[@gabryg1849]

Grazie ancora Master Thay and Sangha.. A Nice Mindful Sunday again.. 🙏💦

[@CandyLemon36]

A phenomenal exposition of ideas. A book I read with comparable content became a linchpin in my life. "Mindful Mastery: Living Intentionally in a Chaotic World" by Kyle Ash

[@krisartfox83]

Rest in peace, Thai 🧡

[@kristinbendixen2243]

Beautiful to know ourselves and each other ! Thankyou Thay . Thankyou Sangha

[@cIeetz]

the king of peace

[@solidsnake2428]

Wow, 83 minutes of Thich Nhat Hahn breathing… and he doesn’t even blink, the whole time!

[@jocelyne6600]

Thank you very much for your teaching, you changed my life, all life for the better thank you 🙏🏻 🙏🏻

[@lorenzakinspergher4815]

20 08. 2023 it Was a great gift❤

[@danielcassa3500]

Thank you very much, we all need your wisdom.

[@danmcdaid8608]

*Thay, in a very calm voice* “please stop coughing”

[@dimenbarang7595]

Way thai speak it transmit peace and joy

[@champyandmorris]

Thank you for sharing these talks ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏

[@AnhTran-qm5dd]

Breathe and enjoy the present moment...

[@heikaoregan1049]

+Saint Squish 😂😂

[@ArunKumar-wk1hq]

Nice. Thank you for enlightening .

[@oregoneyes6673]

Thank you so much for your thoughts. It really helps.

[@ketotrucker6262]

NAMASTE.

[@3066961]

Thay 連正體中文都識，好勁！

[@alfreddifeo9642]

Thanks for your kind sharing

[@starrys931]

🙏🙏🙏💐🌹😍

[@Mackobacko]

Thank you🙏

[@Kathysart]

Thank you 🍃🌸🍃

[@Eroblue11]

What a great message/teaching but good Lord some inconsiderate persons in the audience is coughing their lungs out! Seriously if you’re coughing that much STAY HOME or take a COUGH DROP!! Thank youuuuuu!

[@beki1377]

I totally agree 😅🙄 and am grateful that I am not alone 😆

[@user-by2nr1jx6f]

도움 주신것 무한히감사함 느꼈습니다

[@pureintentions7]

Thank you so very much.

[@hankspmp]

感恩老師~

[@AnnaIsokoski]

Thank you 🕉

[@kimballbarrett1961]

air fresh in and out practice in meditation hall steps Kimball Barrett

[@pjzhao7930]

thank you

[@isabelkassan5244]

Such a beautiful voice!

[@Beifang101]

Please, give me the patience to deal with this coughing... 😌

[@beki1377]

😂 me too - always 😅... good practice... everything is ok as it is and nothing stays forever 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@christinamartino1993]

Love this!!

[@supremeplustv1892]

Basis of Budhism is reincarnation and law of karma . The necessity of Budhism is impermanence sufferings and concept of no soul . Budhism guides us to stay in human world and heavens until final stage is attained .

[@vegetallove9335]

My love❤️

[@galrogesh]

מאוד מעשיר. אנסה בהזדמנות לתרגם. תודה

[@plumvillageonline]

Thank you!

[@ramthian]

🙏🙏🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@aliwafa5324]

please provide with subtitle...

[@ML-zq9hs]

Can anyone tell me why there are always so many people coughing during his talks?

[@jeebz7285]

To test our mindfulness.

[@calijahlovechild7706]

It’s an unconscious body language response to ego death

[@franc431]

I think it's because of the time of year they gather😅

[@kuibeiguahua]

Before reading the comments I didn't even notice

[@poetrykellymaiden5457]

♥️✨🌈🙏🌹

[@timothynguyen5171]

Nam mo A Di Da Phat.

[@goldhgcg9822]

حبيتك..❤ بس مااعرف انجلش 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@jinkyjoyacain6800]

Father Thich Nhat Hanh the San Martin IV SJDM Bulacan, especially Tamayo CLANS very angry to me because I know how to use a TAWAS ng ALBULARYO in Tagalog using white candle and different colors of candles with my own prayer and your own prayer my Father Thich Nhat Hanh. I love you very much with my Angels in Heaven.

[@frankdijk3675]

For how long and how often do you need to do this to become benefical. Whole day long might be difficult?

[@KRSNALOKO813]

Practice mindfulness as often as you can be conscious of it Be conscious of your breathing Practice while walking, washing dishes, at work, sitting, laying down, etc It can be as difficult or simple as you want it to be

[@calijahlovechild7706]

All day long

[@soomdong9376]

35:11 고요하다(calmer)가 아니고 장애가 있다 (cumber)인 것 같습니다.

[@namthomson1124]

🙏🙏🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

[@redsnake4300]

for whom the bell tolls

[@teefreund8592]

Should the eyes be open or should they be closed ?

[@euclidofalexandria3786]

52:05, how to give the proper precise snd what must immediately be followed advice to ones who are blind... AND how to stick it to them, such that they change not only immediately but more importantly PERMANENTLY, NO FALSE GUILT! see mens rea, and novelty.

[@Moongazer101]

I like the talks and messages of Thich Nhat Hanh, several interesting videos with him on youtube but this video is unwatchable, the people in the audience are costantly coughing, sneezing and moving for the entire 1 hour and 23 minutes of the video!

[@cynthiasharp3669]

Many people go to the retreats for healing. Try not to be distracted by those who were there. How blessed we all are to have Thay in this way.

[@istoppain62]

Just listen to his voice and breathe through all the others

[@TE-7302-]

Harder to do after living through a pandemic!

[@schirmeier]

When you concentrate on your breathing, you won’t hear the coughs

[@torpessy]

Good afternoon. I would be grateful if you could allow me to attend and stay some time sharing with this group. Please let me know if you let me. Regards.

[@plumvillageonline]

Dear friend, which group? The Plum Village community, the KZbin community? If you're referring to this channel, then this is a public space, feel free to share 🙏

[@torpessy]

@@plumvillageonline thank you for your reply. I meant to attend this type of meeting with the brothers in the place where they take place...

[@giggy7951]

@@torpessy strokerebel book

[@butterflybeatles]

Why does he keep saying "ten seconds for an in-breath" when mine only takes two seconds?

[@soulwork1729]

butterflybeatles you extend the breath to take ten seconds... breath control, allows you to have greater awareness of your breath and fully inflate the lungs.

[@jscsltd]

But doesn't he also say, don't force the breathe and let it take whatever time it naturally takes for you?

[@Lenkabound]

Because you're 5x more efficient than this old fart.

[@jscsltd]

Sc Seang So the idea is to consciously control the breath rather than just observe the breath or is it both?

[@gavindcostin3249]

Soul Work o

[@user-uz7dy6yz1y]

Thich Nhat Hanh's journey has inspired me to find inner peace! �� kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoizmp2ImcikbcU

[@solardisk3]

Lord Buddha please take the coughing woman outside. She's testing my karma severely.

[@kuibeiguahua]

hahahaha, why did you make me notice herrrrrrrrrrr, nooooooo

[@alexandercrawford6785]

He looks good here. Lol 😅.

[@Gutbucket3000]

Was this shot in a TB ward?

[@giggy7951]

Steok4 oand i65b5l.

[@goldhgcg9822]

حبيت بس مااعرف انجلش

[@fernandopagan4384]

I love this person but Everytime I'm trying to listen someone's starts coughing

[@Eroblue11]

I know right?! They need to stay the fuck home or take a god damn cough drop!!

[@calijahlovechild7706]

It’s really weird it’s a unconscious response to the releasing of toxins

[@istoppain62]

@@Eroblue11 the practice of mindfulness and concentration will help us not be bothered by those noises but we stay with our breath when those come up. Those are part of the meditation like letting thoughts and emotions go

[@giggy7951]

Strpk6. T5bu5l. Bppk

[@giggy7951]

@@Eroblue11 etrkrr rebel. Book

[@blaisedonnelly2760]

Isn't the way to begin and end?..

[@josephswafford7578]

The heart thinks before brain?

[@mikkeljensens]

Why on earth is everyone coughing throughout the entire session, in every single video. Something strange is going on inside Plumvillage...

[@colliebollie8450]

It's the all inclusive tourists who are there for a cultural enrichment weekend but really just want to see "the monk with the funny accent" while gobbing on chocolate bars, trying not to choke, hence the coughing.

[@mikkeljensens]

@@colliebollie8450 Hehe, - that could be a plausible guess...

[@rca47na]

0ld people with dry throats

[@cIeetz]

ya its going on everywhere in the world young man, never payed any attention to a single cough on any of these vids, too at peace with thich's voice

[@calijahlovechild7706]

It’s an unconscious body language response to ego death and the releasing of negative energy

[@willisun5423]

흰두교에 요가가 있다면 불교에는 명상이 있다.그럼 기독교에는 무엇이 있나?

[@kimballbarrett1961]

relax the body sutra i mindful breath feelings only with the body mindfulness transformation master mind and body later true nature in breath and out breath collective energy enjoy come home to your body to stop sitting lying feelings breathing called joy formation mental feelings get in touch selective watering strong not wishing look deeper into consciousness store and mind lower store touch to manifest joy happiness 3 way leave behind may be an obstical get out of the city vashali cows run away sesame all gone smile you don't have cows luck look obsticals go name write down the name of your cows let go happyness freedom joy and happiness born from mindfulness to go home pure land a miricals joy and happiness born from mindfulness tap water source mindfulness water on face water home just mindful leaving behind use joy to our life pain feeling mindful breathing Kimball Barrett

[@orlacollins9884]

What's with the coughing? Extremely annoying! Now I'm getting angry 😡 Ok, breathe in...🧘‍♀️

[@M-BRO.0llllllll0]

Bô