Mindfulness Gathas
Thay has always encouraged people to give calm, clear-seeing and intimate attention to each daily activity, whether eating a meal, washing the dishes, or walking quietly, aware of the contact between our foot and the earth that supports it.
Gathas are short verses that help us practice mindfulness in our daily activities, whether we are sitting, walking, washing the dishes or slicing potatoes. A gatha can open and deepen our experience of simple acts which we often take for granted. A gatha accomplishes several aims: It occupies our thinking; it sets a direction for our practice at that moment; and, if used correctly, it helps us to be mindful of our breathing. Unlike a mantra, which is the same for all occasions, we can have specific gathas for specific activities. When we focus our mind on a gatha, we return to ourselves and become more aware of each action. When the gatha ends, we continue our activity with heightened awareness.
As we turn on the water faucet we can look deeply and see how precious the water is. We remember not to waste a single drop because there are so many people in the world who don’t even have enough to drink. While brushing our teeth we can make a vow to use loving speech. Before turning on the engine of our car, we can prepare for a safe journey by reciting the gatha for starting the car.
Dwelling in the present moment, we can see so many beauties and wonders right before our eyes – a child’s smile, the sun rising, tree leaves. We can be happy just by being aware of what is in front of us. Practicing with gathas can help us return to ourselves and to what is going on in the present moment. It can be helpful to memorize gathas, a few at first, and more as you go on with the practice. When we practice well, the gathas are with us continuously, and we live our whole day in awareness.
Stepping out of Bed
If today I inadvertently step on a small insect, may it not suffer too much.
May it be liberated.
Homage to the Bodhisattva of the Land of Great Happiness.
Turning on the Water
Water comes from high mountain sources.
Water runs deep in the Earth.
Miraculously, water comes to us and sustains all life.
My gratitude is filled to the brim.
Washing Your Hands
Water flows over these hands.
May I use them skillfully to preserve our precious planet.
Brushing Your Teeth
Brushing my teeth and rinsing my mouth,
I vow to speak purely and lovingly.
When my mouth is fragrant with right speech,
a flower blooms in the garden of my heart.
Sitting Down
Sitting here is like sitting under a Bodhi tree.
My body is mindfulness itself, free from all distraction.
Calming the Breath
Breathing in, I calm my body.
Breathing out, I smile.
Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is a wonderful moment.
Greeting Someone
A lotus for you
a Buddha to be.
Before Eating
This food is the gift of the whole universe, the earth, the sky, and much hard work.
May we be worthy to receive it.
May we transform unskillful states of mind, especially the habit of eating without moderation.
May we take only foods that nourish us and prevent illness.
We accept this food to realize the path of understanding and love.Serving Food
Washing the Dishes
Washing the dishes
is like bathing a baby Buddha.
The profane is the sacred.
Everyday mind is Buddha mind.
Drinking Tea
This cup of tea in my two hands,
mindfulness held perfectly.
My mind and body dwell
in the very here and now.
Smiling at Your Anger
Breathing in, I know that anger makes me not beautiful.
Breathing out, I smile.
I stay with my breathing so I won’t lose myself.
Walking Meditation
The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace.
With each step, a cool wind blows.
With each step, a flower blooms.
Sweeping
As I carefully sweep
the ground of enlightenment,
a tree of understanding
springs up from the Earth.
Throwing Out the Garbage
In the garbage, I see a rose.
In the rose, I see the garbage.
Everything is in transformation.
Even permanence is impermanent.
Touching the Earth
Earth brings us to life
and nourishes us.
Earth takes us back again.
We are born and we die with every breath.
MORE: click here for a link to the beautiful book of gathas, Present Moment, Wonderful Moment