Mindful Awareness Meditation
Teaching offered by Master Bao Thanh
Introduction
Living with mindful awareness is a process of cultivation and diligent training—what we call practice. Mindful awareness is the precious jewel of the mind—it is the clear and direct knowing of all thoughts, emotions, and experiences in every second and moment of our lives.
The Seven Precious Treasures and the Mysterious Gate
"Seven Precious Treasures" refers to seven rare and valuable qualities.
"Mysterious Gate" means stepping through the doorway out of ignorance.
This meditation path offers a profound and noble method. If you listen and understand clearly with your thoughts, apply it with consistent practice, you will realize true mindful awareness.
This method helps us see clearly our own thoughts and emotions.
One who claims to be mindful but cannot see or understand their own thoughts and feelings is not truly mindful. We are often led by rising thoughts or bodily emotions. This emotional control creates suffering. For example, when we feel weak—we suffer. That feeling of weakness brings sadness. Aging brings sadness. Environmental discomfort—hot, cold, fit or unfit—causes suffering. If you can clearly observe your feelings, then the Awareness Nature present within those emotions allows you to transform your suffering. To live mindfully means we must practice this meditation of mindful awareness. That’s all.
Step 1: Anchoring in the Breath
If you cannot rely on the in-and-out breath, clearly noticing each inhale and exhale, you will not be able to experience mindfulness. By observing and clearly knowing the breath, we develop mindfulness. Know when the breath enters, and when it leaves, when it stops. Some argue, 'You can meditate anytime!'—that’s only true once you’ve mastered the practice. For beginners, sitting is essential.
In Secret Meditation, there is a foundational principle drawn from ancient masters. The breath is a powerful energy source to regulate health, blood flow, and activate chakras. Practice this step for at least three months—100 days. Inhale through the nose, belly expands like a turtle. Exhale through the mouth, belly contracts. Hands rest right over left in your lap. Body relaxed. Sit steadily.
Step 2: Observing Bodily Sensations
Use the same breathing method, but now observe the body’s sensations: heat, cold, itching, tingling, fatigue, restlessness, calm. Don’t react—just observe. Even if you’re itchy or thirsty, just watch. Practice this for at least 100 days or 3 months.
Step 3: Observing Your Thoughts
As thoughts arise—future plans, past memories—observe them clearly without trying to change them. Acknowledge what arises, name it, and return to breath. Practice this step for 100 days.
Step 4: Mindfulness in the Present Moment
With breath, sensations, and thoughts stable, now cultivate present-moment awareness. Place your awareness at the third eye (between the eyebrows) and observe your posture inwardly with the mind. See clearly, remain centered. Practice for 3 months. After 1 year, all four steps will be complete.
Conclusion:
This one-year, four-step training leads to a life of awakened awareness. Don’t expect transformation from a single day or retreat. Real change takes steady practice. Mindful Awareness Secret Meditation is a long but fruitful journey.
Wishing you success in your journey toward a mindful and awakened life.
Ma Sa Ốp Uê 🙏 Contemplate the Mind with Awareness
Master Thich Bao Thanh
Living with mindful awareness is a process of cultivation and diligent training—what we call practice. Mindful awareness is the precious jewel of the mind—it is the clear and direct knowing of all thoughts, emotions, and experiences in every second and moment of our lives.
The Seven Precious Treasures and the Mysterious Gate
"Seven Precious Treasures" refers to seven rare and valuable qualities.
"Mysterious Gate" means stepping through the doorway out of ignorance.
This meditation path offers a profound and noble method. If you listen and understand clearly with your thoughts, apply it with consistent practice, you will realize true mindful awareness.
This method helps us see clearly our own thoughts and emotions.
One who claims to be mindful but cannot see or understand their own thoughts and feelings is not truly mindful. We are often led by rising thoughts or bodily emotions. This emotional control creates suffering. For example, when we feel weak—we suffer. That feeling of weakness brings sadness. Aging brings sadness. Environmental discomfort—hot, cold, fit or unfit—causes suffering. If you can clearly observe your feelings, then the Awareness Nature present within those emotions allows you to transform your suffering. To live mindfully means we must practice this meditation of mindful awareness. That’s all.
Step 1: Anchoring in the Breath
If you cannot rely on the in-and-out breath, clearly noticing each inhale and exhale, you will not be able to experience mindfulness. By observing and clearly knowing the breath, we develop mindfulness. Know when the breath enters, and when it leaves, when it stops. Some argue, 'You can meditate anytime!'—that’s only true once you’ve mastered the practice. For beginners, sitting is essential.
In Secret Meditation, there is a foundational principle drawn from ancient masters. The breath is a powerful energy source to regulate health, blood flow, and activate chakras. Practice this step for at least three months—100 days. Inhale through the nose, belly expands like a turtle. Exhale through the mouth, belly contracts. Hands rest right over left in your lap. Body relaxed. Sit steadily.
Step 2: Observing Bodily Sensations
Use the same breathing method, but now observe the body’s sensations: heat, cold, itching, tingling, fatigue, restlessness, calm. Don’t react—just observe. Even if you’re itchy or thirsty, just watch. Practice this for at least 100 days or 3 months.
Step 3: Observing Your Thoughts
As thoughts arise—future plans, past memories—observe them clearly without trying to change them. Acknowledge what arises, name it, and return to breath. Practice this step for 100 days.
Step 4: Mindfulness in the Present Moment
With breath, sensations, and thoughts stable, now cultivate present-moment awareness. Place your awareness at the third eye (between the eyebrows) and observe your posture inwardly with the mind. See clearly, remain centered. Practice for 3 months. After 1 year, all four steps will be complete.
Conclusion:
This one-year, four-step training leads to a life of awakened awareness. Don’t expect transformation from a single day or retreat. Real change takes steady practice. Mindful Awareness Secret Meditation is a long but fruitful journey.
Wishing you success in your journey toward a mindful and awakened life.
Ma Sa Ốp Uê 🙏 Contemplate the Mind with Awareness
Master Thich Bao Thanh
| mindful_awareness_meditation.docx |
Dharma of Contemplation of the Perfection of the Ear Root
Avalokiteshvara also known as Quan The Am, listens to the sounds of the world ane responds to the suffering with compassion and wisdom.
|
This is one of the Meditation practices taught by Grand Master Thich Bao Truong to Master Bao Thanh in his training as a young monk.
This practice is rooted in traditional meditative practices, especially those linked to Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva’s method from the Shurangama Sutra. This is a meditation method for deepening inner awareness through the sense of hearing. It follows three stages of practice and is intended to be followed gradually over the course of one year--three months for each stage, allowing the practitioner to build a strong foundation and deep insight. Below is a description of the practice, there is also a downloadable document below. |
Direction for the Practice of the Dharma of Contemplation of the Perfection of the Ear-Root
Preparation: Posture and Breathing
Step 1: Listening to the Breath
Step 2: Mantra Contemplation
Step 3: Inner Sound and Mind Contemplation
When this is stable, the practitioner is able to hear all sounds of the world while the mind remains undisturbed, calm, and clear.
Reflections
This is the practice of Avalokiteshvara, who attained realization by turning the hearing inward. It is known as:
Practice Commitment
“To conquer ten thousand enemies in battle is not as great as conquering yourself.”
- Sit in a posture suitable for your body:
- On a cushion, in half-lotus or full lotus, if your body allows.
- On a chair, if needed. What matters is stability and presence.
- Place the right hand gently in the palm of the left hand, resting in your lap.
- Keep your back, neck, and head upright and relaxed.
- Breathe gently and naturally through the nose.
Step 1: Listening to the Breath
- Inhale deeply through your nose, allowing the belly to expand.
- Exhale slowly, drawing the belly inward, and listen to the sound of your exhalation with both ears—from beginning to end.
- Stay fully present with this sound, without adding or judging.
- Practice this for 30 minutes a day.
- Continue daily for at least 3 months before moving on.
Step 2: Mantra Contemplation
- Continue breathing the same way.
- As you exhale, softly recite the mantra:
"Ethe Ethe Sam ma tha" - Listen to the sound of the mantra from beginning to end with focused awareness.
- Simultaneously, become aware of the vibrational frequency and subtle energy (electromagnetic waves) spreading through your body during exhalation.
- Avoid becoming mechanical—this is not just about repeating words.
You must contemplate the sound and vibrational quality deeply. - Practice this daily for 3 months.
Step 3: Inner Sound and Mind Contemplation
- Do not skip Steps 1 and 2. This is a progressive method; each layer is essential.
- Now, as you exhale, you no longer vocalize the mantra.
- Instead, internally hear the sound of “Ethe Ethe Sam ma tha” in your mind.
- Simultaneously:
- Use your mind to hear the inner sound.
- Use your mind to observe the breath.
- Use your mind to observe the vibrational energy of body and mind.
When this is stable, the practitioner is able to hear all sounds of the world while the mind remains undisturbed, calm, and clear.
Reflections
This is the practice of Avalokiteshvara, who attained realization by turning the hearing inward. It is known as:
- Contemplating Sound
- Contemplating the Perfect Ear-root
- Listening to the Sea-Tide Sound
- Contemplating the Mind of Great Tolerance
Practice Commitment
- Step 1: 3 months
- Step 2: 3 months
- Step 3: 3 months and beyond
- Total training period: at least 1 year
“To conquer ten thousand enemies in battle is not as great as conquering yourself.”
Below is a recording of how to chant E-The E-The Sam Ma Tha
| dharma_of_contemplation_of_the_perfection_of_the_ear-root.docx |