old-path-white-clouds-thich-nhat-hanh

others and wishes others well-being and success. Practice non-attachment to overcome prejudice. Non-attachment is the way of looking at
all things openly and equally. This is because that is. That is because this is. Myself and other are not separate. Do not reject one thing only
to chase after another.
“Rahula, loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and non-attachment are beautiful and profound states of mind. I call them the
Four Immeasurables. Practice them and you will become a refreshing source of vitality and happiness for others.
“Rahula, meditate on impermanence in order to break through the illusion of self. Meditate on the nature of the body’s birth,
development, and death in order to free yourself from desires. Practice observing your breath. Mindfulness of the breath brings great joy.”
Svasti was happy to be sitting next to Rahula, listening to all the Buddha had to say. Though Svasti had memorized sutras such as
Turning the Wheel of Dharma and the Nature of Non-Self, he felt that he had never tasted the subtle flavor of the Dharma as deeply as
today. Perhaps it was because he had not heard the other sutras spoken directly by the Buddha. The first sutra he had heard directly was
the Sutra on Tending Water Buffaloes. But at that time he was not yet ripe enough to grasp many of its deeper meanings. He promised
himself that during his free time he would recite all the sutras using his newly gained insight.
That day, the Buddha also spent time teaching the the two young men various methods of observing the breath. Though Svasti and
Rahula had received similar instruction before, this was the first time they received it directly from the Buddha. The Buddha told them that
the first fruit of mindfully observing the breath was overcoming dispersion and forgetfulness.
“Breathing in, you are aware that you are breathing in. Breathing out, you are aware that you are breathing out. During such moments of
breathing practice, focus your mind on nothing but your breath. Useless and scattered thoughts will cease, allowing your mind to dwell in
mindfulness. When you are aware of your breathing, you dwell in mindfulness. Dwelling in mindfulness, you cannot be led astray by any
thoughts. With just one breath, you can attain awakening. That awakening is the Buddha-nature that exists in all beings.
“Breathing in a short breath, you know that you are breathing in a short breath. Breathing out a long breath, you know that you are
breathing out a long breath. Be totally aware of each breath. Mindfully observing your breathing will help you build concentration. With
concentration, you will be able to look deeply into the nature of your body, feelings, mind, and the objects of mind which are called
sarvadharma.”
The Buddha had taught them wholeheartedly. His words were simple but profound. Svasti was confident that, thanks to this special
session with the Buddha, he would find it easier to maintain mindfulness of breathing and therefore would be able to make greater progress
in his practice. After bowing to the Buddha, Svasti and Rahula walked to the lake together. They repeated to each other all the things the
Buddha had taught them in order to remember them well.