Tag: Thich Nhat Hahn

Who We Might Be.

Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh once wrote that our own life must serve as our ‘message’ — meaning that the truest essence of all that we are is carried forward through the grace of our actions.

And, the world is made better for it.

Think of the analogy of a tree: in its shade, the weary traveller rests, whilst high above its strong limbs secure the safety of future generations. And, not through any other means than ‘tree’ — stepping into the light of its fullest potential.

Irrespective of circumstance, our imprint is left. Whether by thoughtful phrase or concerted effort; our lives serve as testimony to the Divine within.

Be who you are, and that is enough.

No need to qualify, to measure, to extend beyond. No need to be a better version of that which already is…

This dance of life born to human form.

In peace, my loves…

Namaste ❤️

 

Only This Moment is Life.

“Drink your tea slowly”, my loves – is a lesson once shared by the venerable Thich Nhat Hanh; a reminder to serve each moment with grace.

Though all too often we find ourselves rushing forward; far too eager to take on these fabrications of mind.

We become lost in the tumultuous waters of emotion, failing to catch our beauty in the stillness reflected ‘below’.

“Drink your tea slowly and reverently,” he writes. “as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves – slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future. Live the actual moment. Only this moment is life.”

Indeed, my darlings – there is no greater truth. Because, in the end…

“only this moment is life.”

In peace, my loves…

Namaste ❤️

As We Inter-Are.

I am inspired this morning through the words of Master Huong Hai. In his poem, “Oceans of Fragrance” he writes:

“The wind whistles in the bamboo
and the bamboo dances.
When the wind stops
the bamboo grows still.”

It’s a poem about welcoming and acceptance; about sharing this space without expectation. When the wind blows, the bamboo rejoices – and, nothing more. When the wind ceases, the bamboo grows still. It’s a perfect synergy between belonging and being. There’s an interrelationship, but not a dependency.

The two exist, merely to exist.

There’s an interesting dynamic between acceptance and change. That is to say, the harder we try – the more inflexible we become. Our hearts become rooted in longing, and our ‘outcome’ tied to a goal. Though, true spiritual transformation can not be fixed to a single focal point.

In his book, “Call Me by My True Names” Thich Nhat Hanh writes:

“You are me, and I am you
Isn’t it obvious that we “inter-are”?
You cultivate the flower in yourself,
so that I will be beautiful.
I transform the garbage in myself,
so that you will not have to suffer.
I support you;
you support me.
I am in this world to offer you peace;
you are in this world to bring me joy.”

Indeed, for when all the murmurings of mind are gone … in the end, we are left with only joy; a joy which permeates all bingings of self.

In peace….

Namaste ❤️

Turning Compassion Inward.

It’s easy to be mindful when our hearts are at rest. But, what happens when…

(fill in the blank)

I’m often asked how to maintain a centered focus even when the world appears to be rearing its ugly head. Our mindfulness practice builds upon the foundation of purposeful intention and breathing. We’re taught to interrupt our thinking mind, and let the energy of the emotion just simply. To observe without vested interest to outcome; to be always and continuously ‘at peace.’

Though, the truth is – I think there’s a little more to it than that.

Sadly, when our hearts are stirred all sorts of things may happen – not all of which are supportive to our mindfulness practice. We may react strongly, or simply freeze into place. We may experience the depths of past emotion, defaulting instantly into our ‘fight or flight’ reaction.

All of which seems to pull us away from the energy of self-compassion.

In the Fourth of the Five Mindfulness Trainings, Thich Nhat Hanh suggests that we might “speak and listen in a way that can help myself and the other person to release the suffering and see the way out of difficult situations.”

I think that’s the key isn’t it?

To respond in such a way as to ‘release the suffering’ – both for ourselves, and for all others concerned. To maintain this purpose, even in those moments when things don’t quite go our way – my darlings, this is the heart of compassion.

And, isn’t it high time we found the means to direct a little of that loving-kindness inward?

Just a little thought for today, my loves ~ and hopefully, a gentle nudge towards a much deeper kind of living.

Bringing Our Compassion Home.

In a talk given following the events of 9/11, Zen Buddhist Monk, Thich Nhat Hanh was once asked how he might respond to terrorism. More specifically, what he might say to Osama Bin Laden.

To which he replied, “The first thing I would do is listen.”

To listen, my darlings; to act without judgement or bias, to offer a space for understanding to be born –  this is the heart of compassion.

And, it’s never easy – is it? At times, the very core of our being is tested in ways we might never have imagined. We feel rage, anger, hatred – emotions which have laid dormant for year, are suddenly at the forefront of our experience.

To understand, my darlings – is the very first step in creating this path of peace.

“To understand,” he shares. “we must find paths of communication so that we can listen to those who desperately are calling out for our understanding — because such an act of violence is a desperate call for attention and for help.”

And, it is perhaps the only means by which we can create a true and authentic healing.

In the Buddhist scriptures, we are taught that we can not defuse the energy of hatred with more hatred. Doing so, only serves to escalate.

“So how can we bring about a drop of compassion that can put out the fire of hatred?” he asks.

By allowing compassion to serve as the basis for our everyday practice.

My darlings, in this way – we may finally bring our compassion ‘home.’

The Seeds of Transformation.

“There is nothing to practice. To know yourself, be yourself. To be yourself, stop imagining yourself to be this or that. Just be. Let your true nature emerge. Don’t disturb your mind with seeking.” —Nisargadatta Maharaj

There’s a scene in a television show I quite like to watch, in which the half-witted boss experiences extreme financial difficulties.

In a moment of absolute desperation he cries out, “I declare bankruptcy!” – thinking by just simply *saying* it he might be relieved of his troubles.

And though, the scene is intended for comedic effect – there really is a bit of truth in the ‘telling’.

I remember when I first began my mindfulness training. “I’m a Buddhist,” I would proudly declare – not yet knowing the full depth of its meaning.

It’s never enough to simply profess our intention. In order for the lesson to ‘stick’, we must give it roots to grow.

In the Buddhist teachings, we speak of consciousness in terms of ‘seeds.’ That is to say, in life – we begin to store these seeds of change.

Within all of us, and through our experiences, we have gathered the seeds of compassion, of trust, of promise, and of faith. Likewise, and by way of our more difficult challenges, we have gathered the seeds of fear, of jealousy, of betrayal, and of pain.

These seeds represent our potential – the potential for enlightenment existing just as strongly as that of defeat. But, likewise – these seeds can be transformed.

How often have we criticized ourselves for having acted a certain way. “That not my nature,’ we might lament.

Oh, but my darlings – it really is.

And, that’s okay. For, just as we are born with the capacity towards greatness, so too – must we struggle with these occasional lapses of ‘character’.

“Mindfulness is like a lamp illuminating ourselves” writes Thich Nhat Hanh, “As soon as the lamp is brought into the room, the room changes. When the sun rises, the light of the sun only has to shine onto the plants for them to change, grow, and develop.”

The trick is – to recognize and accept the potential within us all; to shine our light of mindfulness, and embrace the transformation before us.

“Breathing in, I know the anger is in me.” he continues. “Breathing out, I know am strong enough to take care of this anger.”

It is within this light of knowing, my darlings – that our greatest transformation may begin.

Beneath the Deep Blue Sea.

“If only I had…”

Oh, my goodness – how often have we all muttered these words? Looking to add a condition to happiness, rather than embracing this world just as it is.

It’s a means for us to cope, or to withstand – these subtle ‘gaps’ within our mindfulness practice.

Likewise, it can become one our greatest stumbling blocks to inner peace.

When I first started my meditation practice, I resisted the urge to reflect on these thoughts and emotions. I had convinced myself that they were contrary to my purpose, and – as such, did my very best to push them away.

Though, in retrospect I suppose I had yet to understand – that, the pain of seeing what was in my heart was simply too great.

Dave Barry once wrote, “There’s nothing wrong with enjoying looking at the surface of the ocean itself, except that when you finally see what goes on underwater, you realize…that you’ve been missing the whole point of the ocean.”

Mindfulness practice is much like the ocean. At first, we are contented simply looking at the waves – until that moment when mist touches cheek, and we realize… we must go deeper still.

Mindfulness is an *opening* of senses, my darlings – a deep breath, or taking in, of this – the fullest aspect of our experience. Or, as Thich Nhat Hanh so eloquently shared, it is “the continuous practice of touching life deeply in every moment of daily life.”

“Mindfulness is the energy that helps us recognize the conditions of happiness that are already present in our lives,” he continues. “You don’t have to wait ten years to experience this happiness. It is present in every moment of your daily life.”

In looking deeper, we open ourselves fully to the everyday experiences of this life. In doing so, we are final liberated from our fear, our apprehension, our troubles – and we can partake fully in the magnificence that exists just beneath the deep blue ‘sea’.

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Where the Dandelions Smile.

I shall be taking a small journey today – through wooded paths, and winding trails; finding, in part, the road home to me.

I’m going to a place where the dandelions ‘smile’ from narrow stone crevices, and the willows dip their heartfelt ‘hello.’

I shall travel for hours, if I like – exploring every route a curious heart may go. I’ll stop to listen to the robin’s trill, and the sound of snow melting back into the earth.

With every step, I shall find my peace – amongst the weathered branches and fallen limbs. Knowing, in time, there will be change – a gentle hush, ushering the dawn of spring.

My darlings, this morning I wanted to share with you one of my favorite poems written by Vietnamese monk and renowned Zen master,  Thich Nhat Hạnh – “The Good News” – a reminder of the sanctity of this one precious human life.

The good news
they do not print.
The good news
we do print.
We have a special edition every moment,
and we need you to read it.
The good news is that you are alive,
that the linden tree is still there,
standing firm in the harsh winter.
The good news is that you have wonderful eyes
to touch the blue sky.
The good news is that your child is there before you,
and your arms are available:
hugging is possible.
They only print what is wrong.
Look at each of our special editions.
We always offer the things that are not wrong.
We want you to benefit from them
and help protect them.
The dandelion is there by the sidewalk,
smiling its wondrous smile,
singing the song of eternity.
Listen! You have ears that can hear it.
Bow your head.
Listen to it.
Leave behind the world of sorrow,
of preoccupation,
and get free.
The latest good news
is that you can do it.

Using Our Words for Good.

Years ago, had you asked me my interpretation of the concept  of ‘right speech’ – I would have offered, “to speak authentically, and always from one’s heart.”

Though, truth be told, in practice my darlings – that’s not fully what it means. That is to say, there’s so much more to the concept of ‘right speech’ than an unfiltered expression of one’s emotion.

Here’s an example.

When I was a little girl, I had a favorite stuffed animal – a little monkey with rubber soled shoes. I took that monkey with me nearly everywhere. Until one day, when my brother through it onto a roaring fire.

“I hate you,” I cried as I ran off to my mother.

Truthful speech? Sure. But, in practice – it didn’t serve my heart.

Years later, I was faced with yet another challenging moment – a dear friend used words that caused my heart to crumble. And though, I could have held that hurt for years – in the end, I made a decision to let it go.

Why?

Because, holding on didn’t bring me joy.

And, isn’t that the test – to have wisdom enough to recognize our suffering, and courage enough to let it go?

Brother Thich Nhat Hanh once shared perhaps the most eloquent interpretation of right speech,

“Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I am committed to speaking truthfully using words that inspire confidence, joy, and hope.”

Indeed, knowing that our words can create both suffering or joy – my darlings, it is up to us to choose which we keep.

In my life I’ve finally learned the greatest lesson of all – that is, a peace-filled heart truly is the only way.

And, knowing that the right word can create a ripple effect of peace – my darlings, I choose always to use my words for good.

Through This Single Patch of Sky.

My darlings, what would you do if you were given only weeks to live?

Would you spend every moment locked in despair, or – would you step fully into the remaining life that you had?

It’s an interesting question, and one raised in a beautiful posting by the venerable Thích Nhất Hạnh; one which begs our awareness within every single moment.

“Don’t wait to start living. Live Now!” he urges. “You can live each moment deeply, in touch with the very wonders of life.”

And so, with each ‘living moment’, I strive to live deeply. Why, even something as simple as an early morning walk can become suddenly filled with opportunity – to see, to touch, to experience, to breathe in the full richness of this life.

Awareness, my darlings, must always be our practice, and living deeply – our fundamental purpose.

In his novel, The Stranger, Albert Camus shares the story of Mersault – a ‘detached and soulless’ man who has just learned that he shall soon be executed for the crimes he has committed.

In his despair, he collapses to his prison bed, and – looking upwards – for the first time notices a single patch of blue light; a square of blue sky peeking through the skylight.

“The sky is so blue,” shares Brother Thay. “it’s the first time in his life he’s gotten deeply in touch with the blue sky. He has already lived for five decades without ever really seeing the blue sky. Perhaps he has looked at the sky from time to time, but he not seen it in a deep way. Now, three days before his death, he is able to touch the blue sky in a very deep way.”

Ironically, in the end it is Mersault’s realization (and acceptance) of his own impermanence, which offers him the greatest freedom he has ever known.

For, through this single patch of blue – he has, for the first time, come alive.

Life is pure joy, my dearest darlings. And, within each precious moment there exists a ‘patch of blue sky’…simply waiting for our senses to reply.

That we might one day know the greatest blessings of this life.