Invitation to Presence

These Invitations may accompany the bell, invited once a minute in preparation for silent meditation.

They may also be used in guided meditation or as gāthās:

Breathing in, I am invited to be present…
Breathing out, I am present…

Welcoming the Five Skandhas

1. Invitation to be present in the body
2. Invitation to be present with the feelings
3. Invitation to be present with the perceptions
4. Invitation to be present with the mental formations
5. Invitation to be present with the seeds of consciousness

Welcoming The Five Remembrances

1. Invitation to be present with the nature to grow old
2. Invitation to be present with the nature to have ill health
3. Invitation to be present with the nature to die
4. Invitation to be present with separation from all I hold dear
5. Invitation to be present with my actions

Welcoming The Five Powers

1. Invitation to be present with the trust in lived experience
2. Invitation to be present with the diligence to look deeply
3. Invitation to be present with the miracle of mindfulness
4. Invitation to be present with the concentration I have cultivated
5. Invitation to be present with insight, the fruit of my practice

Welcoming The Bodhisattvas

1. Invitation to be present with Śākyamuni, the Buddha in me
2. Invitation to be present with Mañjuśrī, the Bodhisattva of Great Understanding, in me
3. Invitation to be present with Samantabhadra, the Bodhisattva of Great Action, in me
4. Invitation to be present with Kṣitigarbha, the Bodhisattva of Great Aspiration, in me
5. Invitation to be present with Avalokiteśvara, the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion, in me

You might substitute or include:

• Sadāparibhūta, the Bodhisattva of Constant Respect, in me;
• Matri Gaia, the Mother of All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, in me;
• Mahāvairocana, the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life, in me

Arriving in the Present Moment

1. Invitation to be present with the in-breath and out-breath
2. Invitation to be present with the breath that is deep and slow
3. Invitation to be present with the body that is calm and at ease
4. Invitation to be present with the smile of letting go
5. Invitation to be present with the wonderful present moment