Gathas
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Verses for Mindful Living
 

These examples are from Manzanita Village, as well as from the Vietnamese Zen Tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, and Robert Aitken Roshi
 

These 'Gathas' are ways both to practice formal meditation, as well as tools to bring the spirit of meditation and mindfulness into everyday life and action. We often hear from people who may have been meditating for a while that at first the practice of gathas seemed to be simplistic and superficial. After using them for a while. those same people often express their appreciation for the depth of such practices. A poetic sensibility is very much at the root of sacred transformational practices. Even simple verse like these can help you remember your intention, as well as the truth behind the most seemingly mundane actions.

Some of these gathas go back centuries to the monastic practice of China and Vietnam; some were created recently at Manzanita Village and elsewhere. They are ways to stop for a few moments - we suggest taking three breaths - and check in with your body, mind, action, and intention. In this way you can weave a meditative rhythm and sensibility into your daily life, no matter how busy it might be.

You are encouraged to adapt them and to create new ones for your own needs. What reflection or gatha might you use when stuck in traffic? Or when you sit down in front of a computer? Or when engaging in civil disobedience? Or when touched by anger, grief, or fear when hearing news about, for example, the continuing proliferation of nuclear weapons? Or when making love? Or when playing or speaking with children?

There is no end to the creative adaptations you can make.

 

Gathas for Daily Life

Gathas for the Meditation Hall
   

Walking 1 The Earth
I touch the Earth - the Earth touches me
I health the Earth - the Earth heals me
I am the Earth - the Earth is me

Walking 2 The Ancestors
I walk in my ancestors footsteps
My ancestors walk with me
I walk with all living beings
All living beings walk with me
I walk in the footsteps of the beings of the future
All future generations walk with me

Joining Palms to Bow to Another
A lotus for you
The Buddha to be.

Waking Up in the Morning
Waking up with a smile.
I know that 24 brand-new hours are all for me.
I vow to live them fully,
And to look at everyone with eyes of compassion.

Using the Toilet
Defiled or immaculate,
Increasing or decreasing -
These concepts exist only in our minds.
The reality of Interbeing is unsurpassed.

Turning on the Water
Water flows high from mountain sources.
Water runs deep beneath the earth.
Wonderfully, water comes to me.
Its benefits touch me deeply.

Planting Trees or Gardening
I entrust myself to the Earth,
the Earth entrusts herself to me.
I entrust myself to the Buddha,
the Buddha entrusts herself to me.

Driving a Car
Before starting the car
I know where I am going.
The car and I are one.
If the car goes fast, I go fast.
If the car goes slowly, I go slowly.

Preparing Vegetables
In these fresh vegetables
I see a green sun.
All Dharmas join together
to make life possible.

Gardening or looking at Plants
Earth brings us into life and nourishes us.
Earth takes us back again
Birth and death are present in every moment.

Sitting Meditation
Entering the meditation hall,
I see my true self.
Once I am seated,
All confusion vanishes.

Meditation The Four Foundations Of Mindfulness
Breathing in, I know that I am breathing in.
Breathing out, I know that I am breathing out.
As the in-breath grows deep,
the out-breath grows slow.
Breathing in makes me calm,
breathing out brings me ease.
With the in-breath I smile,
with the out-breath I release.
Breathing in, I am right here
Breathing out . . right now.

(In — Out, Deep — Slow, Calm — Ease, Smile — Release, Right Here—Right Now )

Meditation Visualization
Breathing in, I know that I am breathing in.
Breathing out, I know that I am breathing out.
Breathing in, I feel myself as a flower.
Breathing out, I feel fresh.
Breathing in, I feel myself as a mountain.
Breathing out, I feel solid.
Breathing in, I feel myself as water.
Breathing out, I reflect things as they are.
Breathing in, I feel space within and without.
Breathing out, I feel free.

(In--Out, Flower--fresh, Mountain--solid ,
Water--reflecting, Space--free)

Meditation 3
- seeing
- hearing
- sitting
- touching

Adjusting Meditation Posture
Feelings come and go
like clouds in a windy sky.
Conscious breathing
is my anchor.

Hearing A Bell
Listen, listen
The wonderful sound brings me back to my true self.

Ringing A Bell
Body, speech and mind, in perfect oneness.
I send my heart along with the bell.
May the hearers awake from forgetfulness
And transcend all anxieties and sorrows.
 

Gathas From The Dragon Who Never Sleeps By Robert Aitken Roshi

 

When wayward thoughts are persistent
I vow with all beings
to imagine that even the Buddha
had silly ideas sometimes

When I'm worried about my attachments
I vow with all beings
to remember interdependence.
If I weren't attached I'd be dead

When I reach for the keys to my car
I vow with all beings
to consider alternate transport:
feet, or a bike, or the bus

When a tire blows out on the freeway
I vow with all beings
to call up the one who can't wobble
and steady myself and my car

When I stroll around the city
I vow with all beings
to notice how lichens and grasses
never give up in despair

When I stroll around the mountains
I vow with all beings
to watch for the many announcements
of my kinship with bushes and deer
 

Gathas for Meals

 

The Five Contemplations (Recited aloud on Retreats)
This food is the gift of the whole universe-
the earth the sky and much hard work.
May we live in a way that makes us worthy to
receive it.
May we transform our unskillful states of mind,
and learn to eat with moderation.
May we take only foods that nourish us
and prevent illness.
We accept this food so that we may realize
the path of understanding and love.

Looking at your empty plate
My plate is empty now
But I know that it will soon be filled
with precious food.

When the Plate is filled with Food
In this food,
I see clearly the presence
of the entire universe
supporting my existence

When Sitting Down
Sitting here is like sitting under the Bodhi Tree
My body of mindfulness is upright
I am not assailed by any disturbance

 Looking at the Plate Filled with Food
All living beings are struggling for life.
May they all have enough food to eat today

Beginning to Eat
With the first mouthful, I promise to practice
loving kindness
With the second, I promise to relieve the suffering
of others.
With the third. I promise to see others’ joy as my
own.
With the fourth, I promise to learn the way of
non-attachment and equanimity.

Finishing your Meal

The plate is empty.

My hunger is satisfied.

I vow to live

for the benefit of all beings

Washing the Dishes
Washing the dishes
is like bathing a baby Buddha.
The profane is the sacred.
Everyday mind is Buddha’s mind

Drinking Tea
This cup of tea in my two hands,
mindfulness is held perfectly.
My mind and body dwell
In the very here and now