Teachings by Thich Nhat Hanh

Aloha Everyone,

THICH NHAT HANH (Oct 11 - ) is a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist. He is a prolific writer and has published more than 100 books.  Thich Nhat Hanh resides in the Southern France in the Plumb Village Monastery. He travels internationally offering retreats and talks. Here are some of his quotes that are relevant to our meditation practice.

Mindfulness helps you go home to the present. And every time you go there and recognize a condition of happiness that you have, happiness comes

Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts.

The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.

Life can be found only in the present moment. The past is gone, the future is not yet here, and if we do not go back to ourselves in the present moment, we cannot be in touch with life.

People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar."

Live your daily life in a way that you never lose yourself. When you are carried away with your worries, fears, cravings, anger, and desire, you run away from yourself and you lose yourself. The practice is always to go back to oneself.

If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.

There is no way to happiness, happiness is the way.

Namaste -- Cathi