Which Breath Leads You into Meditative Concentration? Venerable Thích Chân Quang Teaches on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness

**Summary:** Have you ever sat in meditation only to find your mind still chaotic? Listen to Venerable Thích Chân Quang as he reveals the secret of the breath and the path to finding your true self through the Four Foundations of Mindfulness.

**Meditative Concentration – The Peak Requiring a Foundation**

“When we climb very high, we need a very solid foundation.” Venerable Thích Chân Quang began this seventh part of his dharma talk on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness with a profound reminder. Many people hear the word meditation and immediately think of transcendent states, but few pay attention to the preceding foundation of moral conduct and merit. Without this foundation, any attainment is merely an illusion.

**The Three Paths Leading to Enlightenment**

The Buddha taught there are three paths of practice leading to liberation: the Four Stages of Meditative Concentration (Dhyāna), the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipaṭṭhāna), and the Four Fruits of the Holy Path (from stream-entry to arahantship). Although each path has a different perspective and approach, all lead to the same goal. The Venerable emphasized: “Just the word ‘first jhāna,’ the very first level of meditative concentration, among billions of people in this world, there may not even be a few who can attain it.” The first stage of meditative concentration is already so magnificent, let alone the higher levels.

**The Breath – The Key to the Four Stages of Meditative Concentration**

On the path of the Four Stages of Meditative Concentration, the breath is the most crucial technique. But the breath is far from simple. The Venerable pointed out that within a single breath, there are three elements: first, intentional breathing – driven by discursive thoughts; second, secret impulses – from the deep layers of the unconscious; third, the natural breath – slow, subtle, gentle, untouched by any external force. Only when we let go of the first two elements can we touch the breath of meditation. The teacher quoted the Buddha’s words:

“Breathing in, know you are breathing in; breathing out, know you are breathing out, without intentionally breathing.”

This breath is not about breathing deeply to get more oxygen, but about a slow, subtle rhythm. The teacher advised: “A breath that is slow, subtle, and gentle—that is the natural breath of meditative concentration.” If anyone can grasp this breath, they can use it as a raft to cross over birth and death.

**The Four Foundations of Mindfulness – Finding Yourself in the Body**

Unlike the path of the Four Stages of Meditative Concentration, the path of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness begins with finding your true self. In the first foundation, one contemplates the body in the body. The teacher explained: “This body is a result of our previous practice of various contemplations and much merit... What is the clear essence of the body? It is impure, arising and passing, impermanent, suffering, and fraught with fault.” But the important thing is not to avoid it:

“The principle of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness is to embrace the pain. To see that you are this body and to remain at peace with that body.”

When we abide peacefully in the body, our mind begins to settle and is no longer agitated.

**Finding Yourself in Feelings – Contemplating Feeling in Feeling**

Going deeper, we see that our true self is not the body, but the feeling. Sentient beings everywhere are slaves to sensations: when hungry, we eat; when happy, we laugh; seeing money, we become greedy. All are controlled and led by feelings. The Venerable told a very worldly story: “Why did we all come here today? It is also feeling... Missing loved ones, wanting to hold a memorial service—that is feeling; the Mid-Autumn festival at the temple is fun—that is feeling; and even that buffet with ninety dishes is also feeling.” The teacher asked: “Why ninety dishes? Why cook so much?” Then he answered: “Where does the value lie? Not in the delicious food, but in coming here to attend the temple’s feast, we feel dignified and valued.” Whether the feeling is noble or base, all are feelings. Realizing this is a major step on the path.

**Finding Yourself in Mind – Contemplating Mind in Mind**

The third foundation is contemplating mind in mind. The teacher said: “We are merely slaves to the mind. We have never seen our own mind.” Only a great enlightened being can have a sudden, profound awakening and see the source of seeing and hearing. The teacher recalled the story of the Buddha holding up a lotus flower and Mahākāśyapa smiling: “That alluded to a state of enlightenment. He saw the root of seeing, not that he merely looked at a lotus flower.” To see the mind is to see your deepest, true self.

**Contemplating Dharma in Dharma – The Final Liberation**

The final foundation is contemplating dharma in dharma. Here, we are no longer ourselves but have become the truth itself. The teacher explained: “Contemplating dharma in dharma means you are no longer you; you have become the truth.” This is liberation, this is complete enlightenment.

Today, when you sit down and listen to your breath, try letting go of control, letting go of even the subtlest impulses. Let the natural breath appear, slow and gentle. And remember the teacher’s words: “It’s okay to even slowly fall asleep. Because for this talk, it would be strange if you listened without dozing off.” But if you begin to find your true self through your own breath and feelings, that is the beginning of a new journey.