At Home In The World: Stories and Essential Teachings From A Monk's Life

You may wonder if the most wonderful moments of your life are already behind you. Or you may think the happiest moment of your life is still to come. But this is the moment we have been waiting for. The Buddha said, “You have to make the present moment into the most wonderful moment of your life.”

It takes a long time to go to the moon and back, but it only takes one breath to return to your true home.

When we walk, we’re not walking alone. Our parents and ancestors are walking with us. They’re present in every cell of our bodies. So each step that brings us healing and happiness also brings healing and happiness to our parents and ancestors.

Time is no longer money. Time is peace; time is life.

Our true home is the present moment, whatever is happening right here and right now. Our true home is a place without discrimination, a place without hatred. Our true home is the place where we are no longer seeking anything, no longer yearning for anything, no longer regretting anything. When we return to right here and right now with the energy o

choose to walk in such a way that every step can bring you joy, peace, and happiness. You may like to remember that others are also walking like that, and we can feel connected with each other. Connection is very important.

Every step helps us to stop running—running not only in the body, but running in the mind.

We need to expand our definition of family to include not only our friends and community, but also the sun, the sky, the trees, the birds, and the hills around us. Practicing mindfulness is much easier when we do it together.

If we live near a park or a riverbank, we can enjoy walking meditation there, and the park or river becomes part of our community.

There are many things that help us practice mindfulness—even the air for breathing.