The First Foundation of Mindfulness

There are Four Foundations of Mindfulness. This week let us concentrate on the First Foundation: Mindfulness of Breathing. In short, this means being mindful of the simple process on which our entire being depends---breathing in and breathing out; inhale and exhale. We take it for granted. Don't even imagine just how crucial this process is. How many times a day does this simple in and out of breath happen? Think about it. I mean really think about it. If the next breath doesn't come then what? So simple yet so crucial to everything. No breath/no life. It all boils down to the next breath. If you think about it, about the necessity of your next breath, then just how important are all those things that nag and annoy? Wouldn't it be better to be thankful for the breath from moment to moment? When you start to see life, not just yours but all life in this way, then you begin to move away from the delusions of life. Greed and anger start to fade. What steps in to take their place is the simple peace of the next breath. This is how life is. It is the next breath. We need the breath, we need life if we are to see things as they are and let go of our attachments and our cravings. We will move away from the things we needlessly cling to and abide in things just as they are. Nothing else matters except that fundamental truth---things are as they are. This is where the First Foundation of Mindfulness will lead you. This is the possibility being mindful of breathing reveals.