Window over altar in Lower Hamlet Meditation Hall, Plum Village, France.

Thay pausing for some tea, during mindfulness walk.

Walking Meditation, 21 Day retreat, Plum Village Monastery, France, June, 2014

21 Days of Mindfulness at Plum Village

Breathing in, I here the dove’s gentle coo.
Breathing out, I smile.
Breathing in, I see the flash of yellow oriole’s quick flight.
Breathing out, I smile
Breathing in, I smell red rose’s pepper-sweet scent.
Breathing out, I smile.
Breathing in, I hear frog’s croaking chorus beneath the lotus leaves.
Breathing out, I smile.
Breathing in, I feel the wind blowing in the poplar grove.
Breathing out, I smile.
Breathing in, I stop to the monastery bell’s invitation.
Breathing out, I smile.
Breathing in, I bow to my lovingly prepared vegan food.
Breathing out, I smile.
Breathing in, I savour delicious home made tofu.
Breathing out, I smile.
Breathing in, I wash my empty plate.
Breathing out, I smile.
Breathing in I stack clean bowls.
Breathing out, I smile.
Breathing in, I take mindful steps to the bathroom.
Breathing out, I smile.
Breathing in, I let it mellow; if it’s yellow, flush it down, if it’s brown.
Breathing out, I smile.
Breathing in, I bow to the Buddha glowing orange in the meditation hall.
Breathing out, I smile.
Breathing in, I sit relaxed on my cushion.
Breathing out, I smile.
Breathing in, I hear sister’s beautiful chanting. Tres jolie!
Breathing out, I smile.
Breathing in, I hear Thay’s compassionate voice.
Breathing out, I smile.
Breathing in, I listen deeply with my heart.
Breathing out, I smile.
Breathing in, I wait with sangha for the bus.
Breathing out, I smile.
Breathing in, I ride in silence, watching the French countryside.
Breathing out, I smile.
Breathing in, I sing joyfully with sangha.
Breathing out, I smile.
Breathing in, I mindfully sip refreshing green tea.
Breathing out, I smile.
Breathing in, I hang my laundry to dry in the sun.
Breathing out, I smile.
Breathing in, I smell sweet lavender on the purple hillside.
Breathing out, I smile.

Breathing in, I feel the feelings.
Breathing out, I smile at the feelings.
Breathing in I think the thoughts
Breathing out, I smile at the thoughts.
Breathing in, I dwell in the present moment
Breathing out, I smile at this wonderful moment.
Breathing in, I water seeds of understanding and compassion.
Breathing out, I smile at the knowing.

Gail Kuhl
Gentle Harmony of the Heart
June 25, 2014

Bell Tower, Lower Hamlet, Plum Village, France.