Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk and peace activist, discusses mindfulness, transcending suffering, embracing restlessness, compassionate awareness, and the harmony of light and darkness in meditation and self-discovery.
Observing thoughts without judgment leads to transformation and self-awareness.
Gentle observation in meditation cultivates inner peace and tranquility.
Deep dives
Practice of Observation and Self-Awareness
Observing the changes in your mind without judgment or suppression allows thoughts and feelings to merge with the observing mind, leading to transformation. Restlessness can be addressed by sitting quietly, following your breathing, and illuminating the restlessness without trying to make it disappear. Through self-awareness and observation, psychological states soften and align with the observing mind, fostering understanding and transcendence.
Maintaining Awareness and Gentle Self-Compassion
Maintaining awareness throughout meditation is compared to the physical sun lighting every aspect of nature. By recognizing thoughts and feelings without judgment or evaluation, and not viewing awareness as an ally against unruly thoughts, a gentle and tolerant presence is cultivated. In meditation, observing and being gentle with oneself leads to peace and the blossoming of inner tranquility, symbolized by the flowers of peace blooming in the garden of the heart.
These excerpts for meditation have been taken from the text "The Sun My Heart" by Thich Nhat Hanh.
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926 - 2022) was a Vietnamese Thiền/Chan Buddhist monk, peace activist, prolific author, poet and teacher, who founded the Plum Village Tradition, historically recognized as the main inspiration for engaged Buddhism. Known as the "father of mindfulness", Nhất Hạnh was a major influence on Western practices of Buddhism
Music: The Great Bell Chant - Thich Nhat Hanh & Thay Phap Niem
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