Practicing Right View – Thich Nhat Hanh

The following quote is from my teacher, Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. He talks about practicing right view in order to relieve our suffering.

Right View is one of the elements of the Eightfold path along with Right Speech, Right Thought, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Diligence, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration. As the first element of the Eightfold path, right view serves as the starting point.

Right view is the understanding that we must be present in the here and in the now in order to enjoy the wonders of life.

The wonders of life include our bodies, our feelings, our minds, and our connection to everything around us.

Deer enjoying the wonders of life in front of my window

We marvel in the beauty of nature and the mysteries of live in the universe.

When was the last time you really enjoyed a beautiful sunset?

How about listening to the sound of the birds? When did you last see the every changing flow of a river or the stillness of a calm lake?

Think about the clouds and the rain and how important they actually are for us to be alive.

And be thankful for the trees in the forest, for without them, there would be no us.

By thinking outside of ourselves, we dis-identify from our egos and recognize the beauty that surrounds us.

Perhaps it is our spouse or our children that inspire us to enjoy life.

Maybe we love the outdoors and spend a lot of time biking or hiking or playing.

Practicing Right View – Thich Nhat Hanh

“Our happiness and the happiness of those around us depend on our degree of

Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh on the Deck of his Hermitage in Plum Village – Photo © Jerome Freedman, Ph. D.

Right View. Touching reality deeply — knowing what is going on inside and outside of ourselves — is the way to liberate ourselves from the suffering that is caused by wrong perceptions. Right View develops through practicing the Eightfold Path of enlightenment. Right View is not an ideology, a system, or even a path. It is the insight we have into the reality of life, a living insight that fills us with understanding, peace, and love.”

–Vietnamese Zen Teacher Thich Nhat Hanh:
(The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching, page 51)

What is Your Right View?

How are you practicing right view?

What is your favorite way to experience the wonders of life?

Do you enjoy looking at the starts and contemplating the vastness of the universe?

Do you like morning walks or playing tennis or other sports?

Why not share your likes with other people by commenting below or clicking on one of the share buttons below?

You will be glad you did because your generosity will inspire your friends also to take the right view!