our life a work of art

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Thich Nhat Hanh

After a retreat in southern California, an artist asked me, “What is the way to look at a flower so that I can make the most of it for my art?” I said, “If you look in that way, you cannot be in touch with the flower. Abandon all your projects so you can be with the flower with no intention of exploiting it or getting something from it.” The same artist told me, “When I am with a friend, I want to profit from him or her.” Of course we can profit from a friend, but a friend is more than a source of profit. Just to be with a friend, without thinking to ask for his or her support, help, or advice, is an art.

washing dishes

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Thich Nhat Hanh:

Washing Dishes

To my mind, the idea that doing dishes is unpleasant can occur only when you aren’t doing them. Once you are standing in front of the sink with your sleeves rolled up and your hands in the warm water, it is really quite pleasant. I enjoy taking my time with each dish, being fully aware of the dish, the water, and each movement of my hands.

seeds of happiness

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“We need only water the seeds of happiness,

and avoid watering the seeds of suffering.”

Thich Nhat Hanh

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This is what is meant by the term “mindfulness”. Notice the various your mental formations and learn to see them with great clarity. Learn to recognize how the seeds of suffering, when watered, will sprout and cause pain and suffering to yourself and to those in your life. This awareness must become so clear that it will be natural for you to avoid watering those seeds, just as it is natural to avoid driving into a pothole in the road.  

When we water the seeds of happiness, joy, contentment, clarity, compassion etc. soon our inner garden will be full of beautiful flowers and there is no place for the weeds of sorrow, anger, guilt, jealousy etc. Be a good gardener everyday and be patient for the seeds to sprout and blossom.

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blue flower of gentle softness

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Innumerable seeds are stored in our deeper consciousness.

When touched by ourselves or by our environment they put forth shoots.

These can be anger, disappointment, despondency, irritation, joy, or elation.

Mindfulness of Anger

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During a morning meditation session at The Green Lake Conference Center in Wisconsin in 2003, Thich Nhat Hanh gave this dharma talk on the mindfulness of anger. Read the transcript below:

shelter from the storm

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These are very simple practices that have been passed down through the centuries because they are so effective.

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Thich Nhat Hanh:

 

Suppose there is a storm raging – you don’t mind, because your house is solid. You close all the doors and windows, and although the wind is blowing fiercely outside, and there is rain and thunder, you still feel safe within your home. The island of self is like that. You have to practice, to learn, in order to allow that shelter, that island within yourself to appear for your use. During your daily life, learn to dwell in that safe island of mindfulness within you. Then you will be protected from provocations, you will be protected from anger, and from despair. There are many elements around you that are ready to invade you, to attack you and to deprive you of your peace and stability. So you have to organize in order to protect yourself, and to build up the practice of dwelling in that island of self is the practice recommended by the Buddha.

calming down

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Exercises in Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh:

“Here are a number of exercises and approaches in meditation
which I often have used, adapting them from various
methods to fit my own circumstances and preferences.

“Select the ones you like best and find the most suitable
for your own self. The value of each method will vary
according to each person’s unique needs. Although these
exercises are relatively easy, they form the foundations
on which everything else is built.”

shift into neutral

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We awaken in the morning and our day begins. We slowly become aware of where we are: in our bed, in our room, the time of day, how are we feeling – ready to arise from the bed – or maybe “snooze” a bit more before activity begins.

the taste of zen

To Be Mindful

Thich Nhat Hanh:

The process to Light Existence, Produce the Power of Concentration, and Bring Wisdom to Bloom is called in Buddhism the Process of the Three Studies. Sila, Samadhi and Prajna (Discipline, Concentration, and Wisdom) are the Sanskrit terms. The word “Sila” (Discipline) must here be taken to signify Awareness of Being. Sila does not denote rules to prevent immoral actions. To be attached to rules without grasping their meaning is to take a means for an end; it is to fall into what Buddhism calls attachment to rules, one of the major obstacles to knowledge. It is not by virtue of moral conduct that one can realize Wisdom, but by maintaining body and mind in the permanent Awareness of Being. That is why the application of thoughts leading to Awareness of Being is called the “Essentials of Discipline.”

breathe my dear… Thay

Breathe my dear, everything will be okay. ~

Thich Nhat Hanh

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Alia, her sister Lois and I are clearing Lois’ house for the painters who will be here Monday to spray the ceilings. Then we will continue painting the rest of the interior. Breathing with mindfulness is the way I stay centered in the midst of all activities. My wife Alia is an excellent organizer and has set us up to complete all phases of this project graciously and with ease. Tomorrow the three of us will be moving to a nearby motel for two days while the painters do their thing.

Thay’s beautiful calligraphy above expresses the trust that will carry us through all travails and turbulence in these times.

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