Don’t Waste a Single Breath

~ By Ajahn Jayasāro ~

There is an old English saying much admired by my father: ‘Take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves.’ The principle is a sound one, I think, and can be applied to meditation practice. In that context it might be rephrased as, ‘Take care of the breaths and the samādhi will take care of itself.’

A single breath can seem such a small, insignificant thing. Jhānas and ñānas can seem like very big things. But all you have to work with right now is this simple, humble breath. It is, in fact, a most precious thing. Respect it. Take care of it. Don’t waste a single breath.

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"Food for the Heart", a series of Dhamma teachings handwritten weekly is posted on the Buddhadāsa Indapañño Archives page with Ajahn's kind permission.

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For other teachings by Ven. Ajahn Jayasāro, please visit the Panyaprateep Foundation website.