Sensory impression is a second kind of food. But this nutriment comes through the eyes, ears, nose, body, and mind. You consume it in many ways, for example, by reading articles – but they may contain toxins like craving, violence, fear, discrimination, or hate. When you watch television programs, they may be full of poisons. […]
You don’t need to set aside special time for resting and relaxing. You don’t need a special pillow or any fancy equipment. You don’t need a whole hour. In fact, now is a very good time to relax. You are probably breathing in and out right this moment. If you can close your eyes for […]
Usually, when someone sounds the bell, we don’t say ‘hit’ it, we say that they should ‘invite the bell to sound’. This person should wake the bell with a half sound – but before doing so, they must practice mindful breathing to prepare themselves. A particular verse is used for breathing in and out and […]
The fifth verse [of the Fifty Verses on the Nature of Consciousness]: “Whether from our family or friends, from our society or education, all seeds are, by nature, both individual and collective.” Here we have another pair of opposites: individual and collective. And we should be able to transcend that idea of collective and individual. […]
In the masterful Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet, first published in October 2021 by Penguin Books, Thich Nhat Hanh shares his wisdom on how to be the change we want to see in the world. He is blazingly clear that there’s one thing we have the power to change, which can make […]
The practice of mindfulness can help you to have faith in yourself. If you look deeply at things, we have our own way of understanding. The kind of insight that you have concerning people and things is confirmed by your daily experiences, and you believe in your insight. If you really believe in your insight, […]
