Every day, most of us take over 21,000 breaths, about 15 per minute. It's something we do without thought, usually without difficulty. Even asleep, we breathe, and wake each day. With each breath we inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, an unconscious process that can be done with a little attention. That conscious awareness, just noting, “I am breathing,” can be very beneficial to health and happiness.

A very simple but profound teaching on this comes from Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist. He suggests breathing naturally. Don't try to control the breath or worry about doing it right. Simply breathe, and note that you are breathing. In and out. While noticing the breath, it becomes slower and deeper without effort. This creates a feeling of calm and ease. There is no struggle; just ease and the release of worries. Being free of worry and feeling good, we smile. Again, Nhat Hanh says this comes naturally by first noting the in/out breath, and the rest will follow.

Breathe: In/Out, Deep/Slow, Calm/Ease, Smile/Release.

The four breaths can be repeated as a poem or meditation anytime, bringing us easily into the present moment. Breathing is present aliveness; being aware of our breath brings us to the moment.