In June of this year, Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (known as Thay by his followers) opened the 21 day retreat, The Science of the Buddha, with the dharma talk in this video. The talk was given on June 2 in Lower Hamlet in Plum Village.
In the opening segment, Thay talked about how suffering and happiness are interconnected like the mud and the lotus.
Next comes the chanting of Namo’valokiteshvaraya by the Monks and Nuns of Plum Village.
Finally, Thay begins to talk about mindfulness of breathing about one hour into the video. He reminds us that the first practice of mindfulness of breathing the Buddha taught is to be with our in breath and our out breath.
He goes on to explain that the second exercise the Buddha taught was to follow our in breath and our out breath all the way through.
The third practice taught by the Buddha is to be with your body and the fourth is to calm your body.
These four meditation practices are the first four practices described in the sutra (sacred text) of the Full Awareness of Breathing.
Following this Thay spoke at length on mindfulness of walking. Did you notice him floating across the room?
The teachings of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh are a gift to all of humanity. You don’t have to be a Buddhist to appreciate his peaceful voice and kind words.
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Enjoy your holidays!
