Calm, Ease Guided Meditation by Thich Nhat Hanh

This is a 20 minutes guided meditation offered by Thich Nhat Hanh, part of the Plum Village Essential Meditations in the free Plum Village app. Breathing in, I know I am breathing in. Breathing out, I know I am breathing out. And In, and Out. After saying these sentences we can abbreviate them by saying "In" as we breathe in and "Out" as we breathe out. We don't try to control our breathing. Whether our in-breath is long or short, deep or shallow, we just breathe naturally and shine the light of mindfulness on it. When we do this we notice that, in fact, our breathing does become slower and deeper naturally. *Breathing in, my in-breath has become deep.* **Breathing out, my out breath has become slow. ** *Deep,* *Slow.* We don't have to make an extra effort. It just becomes deeper and slower by itself, and we recognize that. Later on, you will notice that you have become calmer and more at ease. **Breathing in, I calm my body and my mind. ** *Breathing out, I ease everything.* *Calm,* *Ease.* I am not struggling anymore. "Breathing in, I smile. Breathing out, I release all my worries and anxieties. Smile/release." We are able to smile to ourselves and release all our worries. There are more than three hundred muscles in our face, and when we know how to breathe in and smile, these muscles can relax. This is "mouth yoga." We smile and are able to release all our feelings and emotions. *Breathing in, I establish myself in the present moment.* *Breathing out, I know this is a wonderful moment.* *Present moment,* *wonderful moment.* Nothing is more precious than being in the present moment fully alive and aware. *In, out* *Deep, slow* *Calm, ease* *Smile, release* *Present moment, wonderful moment.* If you use this poem during sitting or walking meditation, it can be very nourishing and healing. Practice each line for as long as you wish