Thich Nhat Hanh - Moments of Mindfulness: Daily Inspiration

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Dont say that I will depart tomorrow even today I am still arriving. Look deeply: every second I am arriving to be a bud on a spring branch, to be a tiny bird, with still-fragile wings, learning to sing in my new nest, to be a caterpillar in the heart of a flower, to be a jewel hiding itself in a stone. I still arrive, in order to laugh and to cry, to fear and to hope. The rhythm of my heart is the birth and death of all that is alive. I am a mayfly metamorphosing on the surface of the river. And I am the bird that swoops down to swallow the mayfly.

I am a frog swimming happily in the clear water of a pond. And I am the grass-snake that silently feeds itself on the frog. I am the child in Uganda, all skin and bones, my legs as thin as bamboo sticks. And I am the arms merchant, selling deadly weapons to Uganda. I am the twelve-year-old girl, refugee on a small boat, who throws herself into the ocean after being raped by a sea pirate. And I am the pirate, my heart not yet capable of seeing and loving.

I am a member of the politburo, with plenty of power in my hands. And I am the man who has to pay his debt of blood to my people dying slowly in a forced-labor camp. My joy is like spring, so warm it makes flowers bloom all over the Earth. My pain is like a river of tears, so vast it fills the four oceans. Please call me by my true names, so I can hear all my cries and laughter at once, so I can see that my joy and pain are one. Please call me by my true names, so I can wake up and the door of my heart could be left open, the door of compassion.

THICH NHAT HANH, 1978 Mindfulness shows us what is happening in our bodies, our emotions, our minds, and in the world. Through mindfulness, we avoid harming ourselves and others. Thich Nhat Hanh The emphasis in Thich Nhat Hanhs teachings is on the practice of mindfulness. To practice mindfulness is to be conscious in each moment of our lives. The opposite of mindfulness is forgetfulness and Nhat Hanh emphasizes bringing mindfulness to what we tend to consider automatic activities, such as walking and breathing. Right Mindfulness is the continuous awareness of our bodies, emotions, and thoughts.

In the Sutra on the Four Establishments of Mindfulness, the Buddha offers four layers of mindfulness practice: mindfulness of the body, of the emotions, of the mind, and of the objects of mind. Practicing mindfulness at each layer can be the foundation of well-being and happiness. When we dont practice mindfulness, we suffer in our bodies, our minds, and in our relationships. Practicing mindfulness, we become a peaceful refuge for ourselves and others. Clarity flows from mindfulness. With the energy of mindfulness, we can always return to our true home, the present moment.

The Chinese character for mindfulness reveals its meaning. The upper part of the character means now, and the lower part stands for mind or heart. The Vietnamese word for mindfulness, chan niem, means to be truly in the present moment. Mindfulness helps us to come back to the here and now, to be aware of what is going on in the present moment, and to be in touch with the wonders of life. The Seven Miracles of Mindfulness Thich Nhat Hanh describes seven miracles of mindfulness that we can experience every single day. The First Miracle is to be present and to touch deeply our surroundings, including the blue sky, a blade of grass, or a loved ones smile.

The Second Miracle is to be able to be aware of our surroundings, so we can see the sky, the grass, and our loved ones more deeply. The Third Miracle is to nourish the object of your attention with your full awareness. The Fourth Miracle is to relieve others suffering. The Fifth Miracle is looking deeply into the true nature of self and others. The Sixth Miracle is understanding. If were mindful of the present moment, we can see deeply and things become clear.

With understanding, the desire to relieve suffering and give love will awaken within us. The Seventh Miracle is transformation. With mindfulness, we touch the healing and refreshing aspects of life in us and around us and begin to transform the suffering in ourselves and in the world. Mindfulness as Energy Thich Nhat Hanh writes: We have the ability to work wonders. If we live mindfully in everyday life, walk mindfully, and are full of love and caring, then we create a miracle and transform the world into a wonderful place. He compares mindfulness to a seed, which, when watered, grows into enlightenment, understanding, compassion, and transformation.

The more we practice mindfulness, the stronger this seed will grow. Living in the Present Moment Thich Nhat Hanh writes: Our true home is the present moment. If we really live in the moment, our worries and hardships will disappear and we will discover life with all its miracles. Real life can only be found and touched in the here and now. This is because the present moment is the only moment we can actually live, the only moment we can actually influence. The past is over and the future has not yet arrived.

Since the present moment is the only real moment for us, we can always return here to get in touch with the wonders of life. Living in the moment is the key requirement for ones own freedom. Nhat Hanh says, As long as we are consumed with our everyday problemsdistress, regrets about the past or constant worries about the futurewe cannot be free people; we are not able to live in the here and now. Eating and Drinking Mindfully Thich Nhat Hanh writes: A very important exercise is to eat in silence and calmness, even if only for a few minutes. It keeps us away from distractions that get in the way of having real contact with our food. The practice of mindfulness encompasses all spheres and activities, including ordinary actions.

We can be aware that we are drinking a glass of water, without thinking of anything else. In this way, we are drinking with body and mind. The same applies to eating. While eating, we can be aware of how we feel and of how we consume. Eating is a deeply spiritual exercise. Nhat Hanh suggests giving a meal our full attention, and being appreciative of all that goes into its creation.

Thich Nhat Hanh writes: We see the meal as the representative of heaven and Earth. When I look at a bean, I see a cloud floating in it. I can see rain and sunshine and I recognize that this bean is a part of heaven and Earth. When I bite into the bean, I am aware that this is a bean, which I have just put in my mouth. There is nothing else in my mouth, no worries or anxiety. When I chew the bean, I just chew the bean, not my future plans or my anger.

I chew with awareness and concentration. While I involve myself in this process one hundred percent, I feel a connection with heaven and Earth, with the farmer who grew these beans, as well as with the people who cooked them. Eating this way, I feel that strength, freedom, and pleasure are attainable. This meal does not only nourish my body but also my soul, my consciousness, and my mind. Eating mindfully, we have the opportunity to sit with people we love and enjoy precious food, something that is often scarce for many people in the world. Eating mindfully, we dont have to go to a temple or a church to practice compassion and awareness.

We can practice right at the dinner table. Breathing Mindfully Thich Nhat Hanh writes: No one can be successful in the art of meditation without having passed the gate of breathing. We often assume breathing is just a natural skill; everyone knows how to inhale and exhale. But breathing is a miracle. In the Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing, the Buddha taught his followers sixteen exercises for mindfulness of breathing. Being aware of our breath not only helps us manage the difficulties in everyday life, it also helps develop our wisdom and compassion.

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