Cattāri Brahmavihārā

I have been volunteering to help set up and break down for a beginning meditation class for the last several Tuesdays and I must admit that I have benefited immensely from it. Despite having to slog through intense drowsiness I was really inspired by the admonition to maintain an awareness of the breath while speaking (as one aspect of breath awareness that we are asked to cultivate at all times). So, I quickly made a resolve to return at least some of my attention to the breath every time I open my mouth to speak. In the space of a few short hours I have already dropped the breath completely and even forgotten it outright but I am unphased and intent on keeping the practice up. I resolve to at least take three conscious breaths before I speak to help ground me in the moment and remind me of my commitment to cultivating the breath.