Interbeing
Contemplate the nature of dependent co-arising during every moment. When you look at a leaf or a raindrop, meditate on all the conditions, near and distant, that have contributed to the presence of that leaf or raindrop. Know that the world is woven of interconnected threads. This is, because that is. This is not, because that is not. This is born,
... See moreThich Nhat Hanh • Old Path White Clouds: The Life Story of the Buddha
The only way to help manas stop grasping at the notions of self and not-self is for us to practice deep looking into the impermanent and interdependent nature of reality.
Thich Nhat Hanh • Understanding Our Mind: 51 Verses on Buddhist Psychology
The insight of emptiness can help. When a young baby, an elderly grandmother, a teenager, or a young man dies in a disaster, we feel somehow that a part of us also dies. We die with them because we don’t have a separate self, we all belong to the same human species. Insofar as we are still alive, they are also still alive in us. When we can touch t
... See moreThich Nhat Hanh • The Art of Living: mindful techniques for peaceful living from one of the world’s most revered spiritual leaders
There was a monk in the Buddha’s time, it is said, who originally came from an extremely wealthy aristocratic family. Because he had lived a very pampered life, he was ignorant about some of the simplest things, which made him the object of much teasing by the other monks. One day they asked him, “Where does rice come from, brother?” He replied, “I
... See moreLion’s Roar • Becoming the Ally of All Beings
I want to start with a quote from writer, activist, and teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh. In Being Peace, he writes:
“If you are a poet, you will see clearly that there is a cloud floating in every sheet of paper. Without a cloud, there will be no rain; without rain, the trees cannot grow; and without trees, we cannot make paper. The cloud is essential for
Observing the impermanent, selfless, and interdependent nature of all that is does not lead us to feel aversion for life. On the contrary, it helps us see the preciousness of all that lives.
Thich Nhat Hanh • Transformation And Healing: The Sutra on the Four Establishments of Mindfulness (Buddhims)
interbeing to describe how no thing can exist alone. Every thing lives in relation to all other things.
Toko-pa Turner • Belonging: Remembering Ourselves home
You can discover how, through looking deeply, you can transform this organic “garbage” into compost, which in turn may become many beautiful flowers of understanding, compassion, and joy.