TEN CRYSTAL CLEAR QUOTES from Thich Nhat Hanh, World Renowned “Father of Mindfulness”
These quotes, which I distilled and made into verse form, from the prolific writings of Thich Nhat Hanh (1926-2022) are profound wellsprings of spiritual wisdom.
THE DAWNING LIGHT, Volume 7, Issue Number 527
SPIRITUAL SOUP KITCHEN Section Number 68
Selected, edited and put into verse form by Chinmayan
Monday, October 16, 2023
Upper Image Courtesy of Pixabay
Lower Photo Credit: Lion’s Roar
These quotes, which I have distilled from the prolific writings of Thich Nhat Hanh (1926-2022) and made into verse form, are profound wellsprings of spiritual wisdom of universal truths and inspiration for mindful living. TRUE HAPPINESS Many people think excitement is happiness.. But when you are excited You are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace. TRUE BEAUTY To be beautiful means to be yourself. You do not have to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself. When you are born a lotus flower, Be a beautiful lotus flower— Don’t try to be a magnolia flower. If you crave acceptance and recognition And try to change yourself to fit what Other people want you to be, You will suffer all of your life. True happiness and true power Lie in understanding yourself, Accepting yourself, having confidence In your own self.
Photo Credit: Plum Village
TRUE PRESENCE When we are mindful, Deeply in touch with the present moment, Our understanding of what is going on deepens, And we begin to be filled with Acceptance, joy, peace and love… Around us, life bursts with miracles— A glass of water, a ray of sunshine, A leaf, a caterpillar, a flower, laughter, raindrops. If you live in awareness, It is easy to see miracles everywhere. Every human being is a Multiplicity of miracles— Eyes that see thousands of colors, shapes and forms; Ears that hear a bee flying or a thunderclap; A brain that ponders a speck Of dust as easily as the entire cosmos; A heart that beats in rhythm With the heartbeat of all beings. When we are tired and feel Discouraged by life’s daily struggles, We may not notice these miracles, But they are always there. IN THE HERE AND NOW To dwell in the here and now Does not mean you never think about the Past or responsibly plan for the future. The idea is simply not allow yourself to Get lost in regrets about the past Or worries about the future. If you are firmly grounded In the present moment, the past Can be an object of inquiry, the object Of your mindfulness and concentration. You can gain many insights By looking into the past, But you are still grounded In the present moment.”
Photo Credit: Plum Village
OUR TRUE HOME 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.” WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED IN THE NOW We already have everything We need to have Everything we need When we come into This present moment.
Photo Credit: Plum Village
FIND JOY AND PEACE “Do not chase after your thoughts As a shadow follows its object. Find joy and peace In this very moment.” MINDFUL BREATHING “Breathing and knowing we are Breathing is a basic practice. No one can be successful In the art of meditation, Without going through the Door of mindful breathing.” CONSCIOUS BREATHING IS MY ANCHOR “Thoughts and feelings come and go Like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.” HOPE IS ESSENTIAL “Hope is important because It can make the present moment Less difficult to bear. If we believe that Tomorrow will be better, We can bear a hardship today.”
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