Hello Everyone,
Thich Nhat Hahn, our dear teacher, who brought the term and the practice of Mindfulness to the world, passed away in Vietnam on January 22nd just after midnight; that was today, just after noon, our time.
The calligraphy at the top of this page, Be Free Where You Are, was written by him and expresses the essence of his teaching.
That essence is that the experience of joy and peace, as well as the alleviation of suffering of all kinds, is to be found by connecting with, and living in the here and now - the Present Moment - so open, clear, spacious and free.
In one of his more recent books, "You are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment", he writes:
"Every twenty-four hours a tremendous gift is given to us.
Another opportunity to live in a way that makes joy and happiness possible.
We can do this.
I begin my day by making an offering of incense, while following the flow of my breath.
I think to myself that this is a day to live fully, and to live each moment in a way that is beautiful, solid and free.
This only takes 3 or 4 minutes, but it gives me a great deal of pleasure.
You can do the same thing when you wake up.
Breathe in and know that a new day is offered to you, and that you can live it fully.
No one can take it from you."
As Thich Nhat Hahn showed us much about how to live, in another recent book he also showed us much about how to die.
"No Death, No Fear: Comforting Wisdom for Life" provides a transformative view of a reality which is much misunderstood and therefore feared.
I feel tremendous personal gratitude toward this wonderful man, whose teachings have transformed and enriched my life as well as the lives of thousands around the world.
We have seen how Mindfulness has had such a profound and life-changing effect on people's lives in so many ways.
It is currently being used to bring healing to anxiety, depression, to ease chronic pain and bring peace and calm to every form of suffering.
I bring my palms together in a deep bow of warmest thanks for the gift to our world of Thich Nhat Hanh, this wonderful man, this wonderful Bodhisattva, whose life was devoted to sharing how much beauty, grace and love is all around us, and within us and fully available, when we can be here, open to receive it.
Many, many warmest thanks and love from us all.
Lynda
Thich Nhat Hahn, our dear teacher, who brought the term and the practice of Mindfulness to the world, passed away in Vietnam on January 22nd just after midnight; that was today, just after noon, our time.
The calligraphy at the top of this page, Be Free Where You Are, was written by him and expresses the essence of his teaching.
That essence is that the experience of joy and peace, as well as the alleviation of suffering of all kinds, is to be found by connecting with, and living in the here and now - the Present Moment - so open, clear, spacious and free.
In one of his more recent books, "You are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment", he writes:
"Every twenty-four hours a tremendous gift is given to us.
Another opportunity to live in a way that makes joy and happiness possible.
We can do this.
I begin my day by making an offering of incense, while following the flow of my breath.
I think to myself that this is a day to live fully, and to live each moment in a way that is beautiful, solid and free.
This only takes 3 or 4 minutes, but it gives me a great deal of pleasure.
You can do the same thing when you wake up.
Breathe in and know that a new day is offered to you, and that you can live it fully.
No one can take it from you."
As Thich Nhat Hahn showed us much about how to live, in another recent book he also showed us much about how to die.
"No Death, No Fear: Comforting Wisdom for Life" provides a transformative view of a reality which is much misunderstood and therefore feared.
I feel tremendous personal gratitude toward this wonderful man, whose teachings have transformed and enriched my life as well as the lives of thousands around the world.
We have seen how Mindfulness has had such a profound and life-changing effect on people's lives in so many ways.
It is currently being used to bring healing to anxiety, depression, to ease chronic pain and bring peace and calm to every form of suffering.
I bring my palms together in a deep bow of warmest thanks for the gift to our world of Thich Nhat Hanh, this wonderful man, this wonderful Bodhisattva, whose life was devoted to sharing how much beauty, grace and love is all around us, and within us and fully available, when we can be here, open to receive it.
Many, many warmest thanks and love from us all.
Lynda
