Brother Richard

Aware of the chair and our body's connection with the chair or with the cushion.

We settle now, yielding our weight completely to that which supports us.

Again, checking in with the breath to make sure that it is open and clear.

Not changing its rhythm in any way, but simply noticing.

Taking a moment to check in with yourself with that simple question, how am I?

Remembering that whatever the answer is, let that be the answer.

Answering without judgment, without censorship, being with the truth of the moment.

And gently then we begin to enter the awareness of the ebb and flow of the breath.

Aware of the cycle of our breath within us.

Not changing the rhythm in any way, but just noticing

Breathing not just with mouth or nose, but with every pore of our skin.

Breathing out all tension and stress.

Breathing in peace.

Recognizing that peace does not have to be a reaction to something.

but a decision.

I am choosing peace.

I am breathing peace.

And breathing peace we can recognize that this is the core of our practice.

Touching the peace that arises in the present moment

touching peace, not just as an absence of conflict, but as a chosen disposition of being.