Aum mani padme hūm

Yesterday, I began again with sitting for 20 minutes. I feel like I have been integrating my classes like third turning, meditation in Maitri, meditation in Hindu and Tantric traditions, and vajrayāna.

I begin my sitting with my posture and getting into a comfortable settled position that can allow me to breathe steadily and calm my fidgets. I work with my breath and lengthen my inhales and my exhales, even holding for a brief pause at the end of the inhales and exhales. I may even go through a couple rounds of the somatic practice of pure awareness - starting with belly breathing and moving down through the earth and up through my central channel. This helps me to become embodied and get out of my thinking mind.

I began chanting with Aum mani padme hūm. I have been feeling this mantra and have listened to the story of Kuan Yin recently.

When I looked up more about the meaning, I saw that each syllable works with one of the six pāramitās and can purify kleshas.

I will continue this practice throughout the month and see how my practice evolves.

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