Thich Nhat Hanh Teachings

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Comment by roddyg on December 11, 2013 at 12:24am

Yes, they are good reminders Rosmarie.

 

Comment by Rosmarie Heusser on December 10, 2013 at 9:35pm

I appreciate these three quotations from Thich Nhat Hanh as precious reminders. - 

Comment by roddyg on December 2, 2013 at 4:09am

Thank you Katja. Alan Watts once said, "If you can't meditate in a boiler room, you can't meditate."

Comment by Katja on December 1, 2013 at 9:53pm

Einen lichtvollen 1.Advent & Frieden in Ruhe als auch Ausgeglichenheit,                                                                                                    trotz Hektik.

"Silence is something that comes from your heart, not from outside. Silence doesn’t mean not talking and not doing things; it means that you are not disturbed inside. If you’re truly silent, then no matter what situation you find yourself in, you can enjoy the silence."

~ Thích Nhất Hạnh ~

 

Comment by roddyg on November 30, 2013 at 3:58am

Thank you Katja _()_

Comment by Katja on November 26, 2013 at 9:56pm

“Be Yourself. Life is precious as it is. All the elements for your happiness are already here. There is no need to run, strive, search, or struggle. Just Be.” 

~ Thích Nhất Hạnh ~

Comment by Katja on November 26, 2013 at 9:53pm

And once we have the condition of peace and joy in us, we can afford to be in any situation. Even in the situation of hell, we will be able to contribute our peace and serenity. The most important thing is for each of us to have some freedom in our heart, some stability in our heart, some peace in our heart. Only then will we be able to relieve the suffering around us.

~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Comment by roddyg on November 18, 2013 at 5:59am

Thank you Rosmarie. I will have to practice this.

Comment by Rosmarie Heusser on November 17, 2013 at 3:22pm

The Art of Handling a Storm   (Thich Nhat Hanh) 

When a storm comes, it stays for some time, and then it goes. An emotion is like that too - it comes and stays for a while, and then it goes. An emotion is only an emotion. We are much, much more than an emotion. So when you notice that an emotion is beginning to come up, it is very important that you put yourself in a stable sitting position, or you lie down, which is also a very stable position. Then focus your attention on your belly. Your head is like the top of a tree in a storm. I would not stay there. Bring your attention down to the trunk of the tree, where there is stability.

When you have focused on your belly, bring your attention down to the level just below the navel and begin to practice mindful breathing. Breathing in and breathing out deeply, be aware of the rise and fall of the abdomen. After practicing like this for ten, fifteen, or twenty minutes, you will see that you are strong - strong enough to withstand the storm. After some time the emotion will pass. 

This is a very effective practice, but please remember one thing: Don't wait until you have to over come a strong emotion. If you do, you will not remember how to practice. You have to practice now, today, while you are feeling fine. This is the time to begin learning the practice. You can practice for ten minutes every day; and if you do this for three weeks - twenty-one days - it will become an habit. Then when anger rises up or you are overwhelmed by despair, you will naturally remember the practice. It will bring you well-being and stability.

This practice will have good effect on your health as well. It is the best kind of protection you can offer yourself. I always think that the energy of mindfulness is the energy of the Buddha, the energy of God, the Holy Spirit, that is inside of us protecting us all the time.

When you learn the practice, you may like to tell a friend, a relative, or your children, if you have any, how to practice. I know mothers who practice with their children. They hold their child's hand and say: "Darling, breathe with me. Breathing in, I am aware that my abdomen is rising. Breathing out, I am aware that my abdomen is falling." They guide their child to breathe with them until he or she gets through the emotion. If you know the practice, you will be able to generate the energy of stability; and you will be able to hold an other person's hand and transmit to him or her the energy of your stability. You can help that person cross out of the eye of the storm. It may save someone's life.

So many young people these days don't know how to handle their emotions. The number of people who commit suicide is enormous. This is a simple exercise, but very important.      

Comment by Rosmarie Heusser on October 28, 2013 at 9:27pm

It's always good to hear Thich Nhat Hanh again. - Thanks Katja

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