Posted by
Lilian on
March 21, 2013
Gift yourself bliss in less than 2 minutes. Take a break from whatever it is you’re doing. Find a comfortable chair, cushion or rug to sit on and watch this brief meditation. Breathe easily and freely focusing on your in-breaths and out-breaths. Absorb Thay’s words and the sound of the bell with each inhale, release all the tensions in your body with each exhale.
Posted by
Editor on
March 15, 2013
My 13 year old came home from school one day frustrated. Over the kitchen table he told me of his troubles but I was miles away. My mind raced between thoughts of my three children, husband and career.
Posted by
Lilian on
February 14, 2013
In movies, love is romantic, overwhelming and above all else, provokes a willingness to give up everything, even oneself, to protect it. This framework births spectacular stories full of drama but the truth is, we cannot love another fully and sacrifice ourselves. We need to honor ourselves while honoring our loved one. True love creates freedom, abundance and joy.
Posted by
Lilian on
January 24, 2013
In this six minute video, brother Thay Phap guides us through Thich Nhat Hanh’s meditation of the natural world within us. We acknowledge the freshness of our flower, the stability of our mountain, the stillness of our waters and the space within and around us to be free. Below is a transcription of the meditations, for your enjoyment.
Posted by
Guest on
January 18, 2013
Thich Nhat Hanh says the way to lessen our fear is to wrap it tightly in compassionate arms and squeeze. But before we can embrace our fear, we have to meet it. Yes - consciously call our fear up from the depths of hiding, to say hello.
Fear often comes with companions; anxiety, resistance, excuses. That’s ok. We can accept them too.
Last night after dinner, I sat in my room and practiced making friends with my fear. I chose a comfortable space, in the middle of a well-worn red and green rug, to sit cross-legged.
Posted by
Lilian on
January 10, 2013
“If I lose my direction, I have to look to the north star, and I go to the North. That does not mean I expect to arrive at the North Star. I just want to go in that direction.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
How many times have we obsessed about an outcome, only to find that the value lay in the journey towards it? Consider your favorite moments this past holiday season. The symmetrical, just-right-height tree is long gone, yet the debacle of picking it out will remain a favorite family story for years.
Posted by
Editor on
December 22, 2012
‘Tis the season of gatherings and gifts. Amidst pervasive consumer propaganda and busy schedules, it’s easy to forget the most precious gift in the universe: our loving attention. Below I’ve excerpted a passage from Thay’s book, True Love, on the practice of spending quality time with loved ones. Shared smiles, warm hugs and honest conversations will remain with us always, long after stylish sweaters and interesting gadgets are discarded.
Posted by
Guest on
December 13, 2012
"To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don't need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself." - Thich Nhat Hanh
Posted by
Lilian on
October 25, 2012
The oldest human writing about how to live in the present moment is an instruction for how to live alone.
In it, the Buddha doesn’t talk of separation from friends and family – in fact, he considers community to be very valuable. Rather, he defines living alone as living in freedom, which is the only condition for happiness.
"If you live without being imprisoned by the past, not being pulled away by the future, not being carried away by the forms and images of the present moment, living each moment of your life deeply, that is the true way of living alone." – The Buddha
Posted by
Lilian on
October 6, 2012
Inevitably, we will miss out on most things. The expectation that we can engage with every worthy, interesting and exciting activity is impossible, yet the idea of missing out causes many of us regret or anxiety. In a world where technology continues to replace downtime and social media promotes misconceptions about our peers’ endless array of amazing adventures – we, as individuals, have a choice to make. Either we allow the worry and anxiety to disengage us from the present moment, or we consciously say no and deliberately miss out– and in so doing – step fully into the present, our choices, our lives.
