Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh is well known for saying things like, “Bring your mind back to the present moment.” Thay, as he is called by his followers, consistently tells us to say hello to our thoughts and feelings, embrace them with compassion, and let them go to return to the present moment. He teaches […]
Search Results for: self-compassion
Mindful Reframing
October 16, 2015 by
The art of mindful reframing is an important aspect of mindfulness practice. It allows us to embrace our suffering by looking deeply into the causes and conditions of our situation. We examine our suffering in the light of our loving connected presence or self-kindness, interbeing, and mindfulness. These are the elements of self-compassion as taught […]
Falling Flat on Our Face
January 29, 2015 by
In these words of wisdom from Kristin Neff, we learn that falling flat on our face may not be a bad thing. She says that this is how we learn. Thomas Edison is famous for inventing the light bulb, but did you know that he had 10,000 failures? He said, “I have not failed. I’ve […]
A Little Kindness Goes a Long Way
January 28, 2015 by
A new trend in kindness is beginning to happen at some of the strangest places in the United States and the European Union. Random people are showing how a little kindness goes a long way. They are paying for peoples’ groceries at the checkout counter. The Dalai Lama once said, “When we feel love and […]
Life is Available Only in the Present Moment
November 15, 2014 by
Dear Friends: Now that the world knows that Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) is in intensive care, it is important to remember one of his major teaching: “Life is available only in the present moment.” Tricycle also picked up on this theme with these words of wisdom from Thay. It is funny that things […]
Dharma Talk by Lama Surya Das
June 3, 2014 by
This fragment of a dharma talk by Lama Surya Das came to me by email last week. Many lines in it support my rantings about meditation practices. I hope you enjoy this. “Dear Friends and Countrymen, lend me your tears and fears: Let me carry them for you. I have not come to praise you […]
Compassion is Essential for Human Survival
May 31, 2014 by
Here are some words of wisdom from the Dalai Lama. He teaches us that compassion is essential for human survival. How are we going to help humanity survive through the practice of compassion? We begin with compassion for ourselves. One of the best resources I know for developing self compassion is the ongoing work of […]
Compassion With Thich Nhat Hanh
December 16, 2013 by
When Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh was in the Bay Area, he appeared at The Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE) at Stanford University with Dr. James Doty on October 24, 2013. Dr. Doty engaged in a conversation on compassion with Thich Nhat Hanh, known as Thay by his followers. They talked […]
The Perfection Of Diligence
October 23, 2013 by
According to Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, the fourth paramita is the perfection of diligence. In previous articles, we learned that the Sanskrit word, paramita, means, “Crossing over to the other shore,” from ill-being to well-being. Perfection and completeness are also acceptable translations. The traditional way of talking about the perfection of diligence is to […]
Taking Refuge In Kindness
October 11, 2013 by
Taking refuge in kindness is coming home to yourself with a gesture of kindness when you are feeling anxious, lonely, depressed, and down on yourself. Tara Brach teaches us to have a little self-compassion: The way of healing and homecoming begins with what I call “a gesture of kindness.” You might for instance put your […]
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