“Some of us keep a pebble in our pocket, a beautiful pebble we picked up in the front yard, out on a walk or at the beach. We washed it very carefully and always carry it with us. Every time we put our hand in our pocket, we touch the small pebble and hold it gently. We practise mindful breathing and we feel very peaceful. When anger arises, the pebble who come to the Dharma. Just hold the pebble, breathing in and out calmly and smiling, can help you tremendously. It sounds a little bit childish but this practice is very useful. When you are in school, at work or out shopping, you have no reminders to bring you back to yourself. A pebble in your pocket serves you as your teacher, as your fellow practitioner – it is a bit of mindfulness, allowing you to pause and return to your breathing. Many people in fact say the name of Jesus or Buddha with a Rosary. The pebble is a kind of rosary, a reminder that your teacher is always with you, your dharma brothers and sisters are always with you. It will help you to go back to your breathing, allow love to be born in you, and keep that love in you alive. You can keep in enlightenment alive in you.”
~ extract from “Anger, Buddhist Wisdom for Cooling the Flames.” Thich Nhat Hahn.
The children bought this little turtle in Vietnam. It has numerous Buddha’s on it. The turtle symbolises the universe.
