January 15, 2026:
Transformation at the Base; Concentrating & Liberating the Mind
The Path of Emancipation, Parallax, 2000
Chapter 8 - Transformation at the Base - Pages 115 - 130

Chapter 10 - Learning True Love - Pages 149 - 159

Verse 11:

Breathing in, I concentrate on my mental formations (mind).

Breathing out, I concentrate on my mental formations (mind).

Verse 12:

Breathing in, I liberate my mind (mental formations).

Breathing out, I liberate my mind (mental formations).

Our practice sessions are open to anyone who would like to participate; there is no requirement to have attended prior sessions. 

Practice Exercises for January

1. 1. 1. Cultivate a morning practice of mindful sitting, breathing and walking. If you already have a morning practice, look at it freshly and see if you can bring elements into it that make it more alive for you. This could include sitting with other friends online, incorporating a new practice like chanting, or doing some mindful movements before or after your sitting.

      2.  Identify a particular place to “sign a treaty with” – a portion of a daily walk or commute, a set of stairs where you commit to practicing mindful breathing when you are there. Let this practice be enjoyable for you

      3. Practice deep looking to see where your energies, actions, moods and words are a continuation of your parents and ancestors. Say hello to your ancestors and smile when you see them manifesting in you.

      4. Practice watering positive seeds. Spend some time identifying the positive elements in yourself and in your life. When you feel strong in this practice, practice watering the positive seeds in other people. 

      5. Thay tells us that we need to practice stopping so that we can free ourselves from our habit energies. Spend some time reflecting on your own habit energies and what “keeps you running”. Several times throughout the day, practice stopping, breathing and calming.

Enjoy your practice, dear friends! 🙏

Optional Recommended Resources

• Optional Reading: Chapter 9, Questions & Answers Session 2 (Pgs.131-147)

• Appendix One: Discourses on the Full Awareness of Breathing (Pgs. 261-276)

• Video and Song below