Each Breath Gives Life

By Heather Renkyo Fehst

In the Plum Village Zen tradition founded by Thich Nhat Hanh, there is an annual practice of working with are called “parallel verses” for the Lunar New Year. These are poetic couplets created by Thay (Thich Nhat Hanh) to inspire and nourish the sangha’s practice for the new year.

Here is an article about this year’s couplets, featured above. We’ll have copies on the bulletin board at Clouds if you would like to take them home to practice with. You can also download them from Plum Village here.

From the article by Brother Pháp Lu’u:

“While reciting these phrases we can combine each line with our breathing. For example, we can contemplate “Each breathe gives life” as we breathe in, and contemplate “Each step brings healing” as we breathe out. These words are not a declaration, but a living aspiration we wish to nurture.”

Combine this with our koan for the 2025 spring practice period, and you’ve set yourself up with some lovely contemplation in the coming months. May it be of benefit!

Heather Renkyo (she/her) is an author, writing coach, and teacher of many things. Ren works with writers on integrating mindfulness into their writing practice, process, and life. In addition to her work as Executive Director at Clouds in Water, she is a Trained Mindfulness Facilitator through UCLA Mindfulness Awareness Research Center and holds a certificate in Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness. She is also the program director of Rebecca Dykes Writers in collaboration with the Highlights Foundation, where she works with writers who tell stories about trauma for young readers. In her Zen practice, creative work, and service, Ren believes in being a lighthouse for those who are awakening to the gift and challenges of being human on this particular planet, at this particular time.

Find out more about Ren and her work at heatherdemetrios.com