Extract from Sutra on Full Awareness of Breathing

Translated by Thich Nhat Hanh

Buddha said:

O followers of the way the method of being fully aware of breathing, if developed and practiced continuously, will have great rewards and bring great advantages If developed and practised continuously, will give rise to understanding the liberation of the mind

It is like this, the practitioner goes into the forest or to the foot of a tree, or to any deserted place, and sits stably.. holding one's body quite straight.

Breathing in, one knows one is breathing; and breathing out, one knows one is breathing out.

Breathing in a long breath, one knows, I am breathing in a long breath. Breathing out a long breath one knows, I am breathing out a long breath. Breathing in a short breath, one knows, I am breathing a short breath. Breathing out a short breath one knows, I am breathing out a short breath.

I am breathing in and making my whole body calm and at peace. I am breathing out and making my whole body calm and at peace. This is how one practises.

I am breathing in and feeling joyful. I am breathing out and feeling joyful. This is how one practices.

I am breathing in and feeling happy. I am breathing out and feeling happy. One practices like this.

I am breathing in and am aware of the activities of the mind in me.

I am breathing out and am aware of the activities of the mind in me. One practises like this.

I am breathing in and making the activities of the mind in me calm and at peace.

I am breathing out and making the activities of the mind in me calm and at peace. One practises like this.