
How to Sit (Mindfulness Essentials Book 1)

Instead of “striking the bell,” I like to say “inviting the bell to sound.”
Thich Nhat Hanh • How to Sit (Mindfulness Essentials Book 1)
We are made of ancestors, culture, food, air, and water. We are made of form, feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness. We invite every component to listen deeply to the bell.
Thich Nhat Hanh • How to Sit (Mindfulness Essentials Book 1)
Consider daily sitting meditation to be a kind of spiritual food.
Thich Nhat Hanh • How to Sit (Mindfulness Essentials Book 1)
Sit in order to sit. Stand in order to stand. There is no goal or aim in sitting. Do it because it makes you happy.
Thich Nhat Hanh • How to Sit (Mindfulness Essentials Book 1)
Then, give yourself a few moments to breathe mindfully and calm your body. Speak to your inner child again, addressing the fears and anger. Let the child know you’ve been listening and that now you have grown up and can protect yourself so everything will be okay.
Thich Nhat Hanh • How to Sit (Mindfulness Essentials Book 1)
All the mental formations exist in the unconscious mind as seeds. When a seed, for example the seed of anger, is touched, it manifests in the conscious mind and there we call it a mental formation.
Thich Nhat Hanh • How to Sit (Mindfulness Essentials Book 1)
What is getting in the way of your being able to experience the present moment? Keep breathing. Keep sitting. This is the practice.
Thich Nhat Hanh • How to Sit (Mindfulness Essentials Book 1)
Writing when your mind is clear after sitting can be very satisfying.
Thich Nhat Hanh • How to Sit (Mindfulness Essentials Book 1)
“Breathing in, I know that this is only an emotion. It’s not the whole of me. I am more than my emotions.”