Necessary Awareness

I remember a short conversation between the Buddha and a philosopher of his time.

"I have heard that Buddhism is a doctrine of enlightenment. What is your method? What do you practice every day?"

"We walk, we eat, we wash ourselves, we sit down..."

"What is so special about that? Everyone walks, eats, washes, sits down..."

"Sir, when we walk, we are aware that we are walking; when we eat, we are aware that we are eating... When others walk, eat, wash, or sit down, they are generally not aware of what they are doing."

In Buddhism, mindfulness is the key. Mindfulness is the energy that sheds light on all things and all activities, producing the power of concentration, bringing forth deep insight and awakening. Mindfulness is at the base of all Buddhist practice.

---Thich Nhat Hanh---