Mindfulness of Breathing 2

The practice of noticing the body tames the mind by anchoring it to the body, which is wandering here and there in search of things to enjoy through the senses.

After all, you can control your mind by controlling your breathing, and when you control your mind, you control your body. In that sense, these three are inseparable.

The Buddha compared as: 'It is like an untamed wild elephant who wants to go out and play in the forest.'

The elephant has a strong body, so it often breaks the string and runs away.

So, what should you do? Do you give up and sit down because the elephant ran away? You have to chase it and catch it again. That's the only way.

If our mind goes out as a delusion, it should be caught again. It is called ‘Sati(Mindfulness/Awareness)’. It is tied to a stake called ‘concentration on the breathing’ with a string called ‘Sati’. Breathing is one of the focus points. Even if it is tied to the stake, the string is weak and the elephant breaks it off and goes out. You must bring it with you ten, one hundred, one thousand times or more a day, whenever it goes out.

In particular, if we recall the Buddha's aphorism that 'respiration is between life and death', its importance can be fully guessed. The mind wanders here and there in the past and future, but the breath is moment by moment! It only happens in the present moment.

To be continued…

May you cultivate your Sati continuously (Samma-Viriya)!

May you achieve the Samma-Sati through Satipatthāna (vipassana meditation)!

May all practice well and reach to Magga (道, the path of enlightenment) and Phala(果, the fruit of enlightenment)!

with Metta,

Ayyā Kosallā
Edited by Euna Bonovich 

If you have any questions related to dhamma & meditation, please feel free to ask. You can reach Ayya Kosalla directly at Bhikkhuni.Kosalla@gmail.com . 

법에 대한 질문이 있으신 분은 위의 이메일 주소로 질문을 남겨주세요.

위빠사나명상의 마음관찰에 대한 논문을 한글 원본으로 읽고 싶으신 분은 클릭해서 다운로드 받을 수 있습니다. (네이버에 PDF 첨부)

The Korean Dhamma Letter is here 담마레터.

Bhikkuni Kosalla Vipassini resides in Mahabodhi Meditation Vihara in Arizona, USA. Donations are gratefully accepted, whether you provide needed requisites for the monastic, or offer funds. If you are inspired to donate, you may do so.

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Buddha Sāsanaṁ Ciraṁ Tiṭṭhatu! 
May the Buddha’s teachings last a long time!

​Bhavatu Sabba Sotiṁ ca Maṅgalaṁ ca!!  
May everyone be led on the path of peace and blessing!!

Sādhu Sādhu Sādhu !