Entering and Leaving Meditation: The Key to Body and Mind in Every Breath

This article explores the profound meaning of the verses for entering and leaving meditation. From asking the Buddha for protection to honoring him with reverence, and remembering the impermanence (anicca) of the body, these teachings help practitioners align their practice with the true path.

There is a story about a Brahmin named Nguyet Quang. At birth, he had a luminous orb floating before his belly like a moon. People worshipped him as a deity from the Brahma realm. However, when he entered the monastery of the Buddha, that light suddenly vanished. He asked to ordain, and after just three days of observing his body, he attained the fruit of Arhatship. This story reveals a truth: the key to meditative concentration lies right here in our actual body and mind, not in mystical phenomena.

Today, let us listen together as Venerable Thich Chan Quang explains the verses we recite when entering and leaving meditation at the hall. Though only a few short lines, they contain an entire strategy for spiritual cultivation.

## The Verse for Entering Meditation: Understanding Non-Self and Asking for Protection

The opening line of the verse for entering meditation is: "May the Buddha protect me so I always remember and understand that this body and mind are never complete." It sounds simple, but Venerable Chan Quang emphasizes that this is a mystery. Those who understand it hold right view; those who do not fall into wrong view.

Asking for the Buddha’s protection means understanding that we cannot achieve goodness on our own. Without the Buddha’s grace and silent support, no one can accomplish truly good deeds alone.

The teacher compares all tasks—whether science, medicine, business, or cooking—to situations where, no matter how carefully calculated, there remains a mysterious variable governing success or failure. Anyone who thinks they know everything falls into wrong view. Therefore, asking for the Buddha’s protection is an act of humility, recognizing that we cannot handle everything by ourselves.

Next, the verse affirms three short statements:

"This body is not me, this mind is not me, there is nothing that is me."

The teacher explains that these three sentences plant the seeds for becoming holy beings. In Buddhism, holiness is defined by non-self (anatta). Each time we recite this, we cultivate another pure seed. Those who deeply internalize these words will naturally open their hearts, letting go of ego-clinging, selfishness, and jealousy.

## In Every Breath: Clear Awareness and Reverence for the Buddha

Following this, the verse teaches breathing technique: "In every breath in, in every breath out." Although the word "know" is not used, the word "every" implies clear awareness. Each breath is an instance of mindful presence. Yet, if we stop there, the mind becomes dry. So, the verse adds a final line:

"With full reverence for the Buddha."

Why is reverence necessary in meditation? The teacher recalls the time when the Buddha was alive. Arhats and sentient beings always arose with deep respect upon seeing the Buddha or other saints. But now, more than two thousand five hundred years have passed since the Buddha lived, and our sense of reverence has faded. This lack makes attainment difficult.

"In every breath in, in every breath out, with full reverence for the Buddha..." This fills the gap of what we have lost compared to those who lived during the Buddha's time.

Thus, each breath accompanied by reverence is a way for us to recreate the noble happiness we lack. Through this, practitioners attain enlightenment more swiftly.

## The Verse for Leaving Meditation: Remembering Impermanence – The Key to Concentration

After leaving meditation, the verse reminds us:

"Remember this body is impermanent (anicca), vow that all sentient beings everywhere also know this body is impermanent (anicca)."

Not only while sitting in meditation, but while walking, standing, lying down, working, resting, speaking, or even using the restroom, we must reflect that this body is impermanent (anicca). Some may see this as lowly, but the teacher asserts:

"The body is the root of all desire, sin, ego-clinging, and selfishness. And the body is also the gateway to entering meditative concentration."

Why? Because the body is the only place where we can abide. When we are alert, we rest fully in the body, knowing it clearly, and relaxing it completely. By observing the body’s impermanence (anicca), we realize there is nothing that is "me." This is the secret of meditation practice.

The story of Nguyet Quang proves this: simply abiding in and observing the body allowed him to attain Arhatship in three days. The body is the key.

## Two Noble Emotions of the Practitioner

Interestingly, these two verses generate two types of emotion. The verse for entering meditation cultivates reverence for the Buddha, while the verse for leaving meditation cultivates compassion for sentient beings. The teacher emphasizes:

"What does it mean to practice? It does not mean being dry like stone. We practice with feeling. It should be rich, earnest, and moist, not withered. First is reverence for the Buddha, second is love for sentient beings."

Therefore, a practitioner is not someone without emotion, but someone with noble feelings. These emotions lead us along the path to enlightenment.

## The Heart of the Path – The Jewel of Life

The teacher concludes that the heart of the path consists of three elements: understanding of the Dharma, noble emotions (reverence for the Buddha, compassion for beings, love for the teachings, patriarchs, and dharma brothers), and a steadfast ideal of practice. A person with this heart is a jewel amidst the world.

If the heart of the path within sentient beings is broken, each light fades away... then demons rise, deception and harm spread widely, and killing and oppression fill the earth.

Therefore, we must guard our own heart of the path and help others build theirs. Do not think you are already skilled, because Mara constantly studies psychology to destroy faith. Just one sweet compliment or clever flattery can shake our confidence.

## Conclusion

The verses for entering and leaving meditation are short, yet they constitute an entire strategy for cultivation. Let every breath be an expression of reverence, and every step a vow for the sake of sentient beings. This is the path leading to peace, opening the gate to holiness right in this very life.