The Buddha taught mindfulness of breathing (anapanasati) as a central meditation practice to help anyone wishing greater contentment and well being. Beyond the initial benefits of calming stress and cultivating ease, the practice of mindfulness of breathing may continue to develop as deeper self regulation and understanding. Put in the greater context of the Buddha’s path to liberation, self understanding and regulation allow us to transform our habits of suffering.

During this day retreat we will practice coming home to our breath as a refuge. We will also practice the Buddha’s progressive teachings on mindfulness of breathing as a path beyond immediate ease to a way of being free from suffering. This includes using mindfulness of breathing to explore impermanence, the changing nature of pain and pleasure, and how to be fluid in an ever changing world.

Tempel Smith teaches Mindfulness, Insight and Metta meditation with an emphasis on Buddhist psychology and mind-body awareness. He spent a year as a monk in Burma with Sayadaw U Pandita and Pa Auk Sayadaw. Tempel serves on the Spirit Rock Teachers Council, organizes the Dedicated Practitioners Program (DPP) and Living Dharma retreats for Spirit Rock.