Podcasts about deer park monastery

Sister Chua Xua was a social worker and left a long-term relationship to become ordained as a nun at Bát Nhã, a Plum Village monastery that closed due to harassment from the Vietnamese government. "I also have a dream. I have a wish that I can support the young Western people to take the monastic life. The life that when you open your eyes, you see the moon and the star over your window. You feel very free. You light the candle with the hot cup of tea, the warm one, and you enjoy tea in the early morning. You look through the windows, you enjoy the moon and the star, and you enjoy your free life." 1:53 Visiting the Monastery, Social Work 6:27 Relationship Before Ordination 9:33 Wake Up Sangha 11:21 Working for a Company, Decision to Become a Nun 18:35 Bat Nha Monastery 28:02 Father's Illness and Death 31:42 Living at Different Practice Centers 33:21 Bringing Buddhism to the West 37:16 Difficulties in Monastic Life You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation. In this episode of Meet the Monastics from Deer Park Monastery, Brother Minh An introduces Sister Chua Xua, a nun from Vietnam who shares her transformative journey into monastic life. Born in 1981 and ordained in 2010 at the age of 29, Sister Chua Xua brings energy and a deep heart of service to her spiritual practice. Her path began with a background in sociology and social work, where she faced burnout from emotional exhaustion while supporting marginalized communities. A retreat at Bat Nha Monastery in Vietnam introduced her to mindfulness practices and a vibrant community of young practitioners, inspiring her to reimagine her life. Despite initially not considering monastic life, the deep joy and transformation she witnessed at the monastery eventually led her to ordain. Sister Chua Xua reflects on her personal challenges, including leaving a long-term romantic relationship and navigating the emotional aftermath with the support of the mindfulness practice and the Wake Up Sangha. She describes the tumultuous closure of Bat Nha Monastery due to political pressures, a pivotal moment that solidified her commitment to the monastic path. Through her practice, Sister Chua Xua has embraced a life of simplicity, freedom, and service, drawing strength from the Plum Village community's teachings. She now aspires to share the beauty of monastic life with young people, emphasizing the peace, clarity, and joy it offers. Her story highlights the transformative power of mindfulness, community, and self-discovery. Sister Chua Xua's experiences underline how monastic practice fosters inner freedom and equips practitioners to live harmoniously with others. Her journey from social work to spiritual dedication offers profound insights into resilience and the pursuit of a meaningful, connected life.

Brother Phap Hoi is a Vietnamese refugee and the most senior Brother at Deer Park Monastery. "Because the Sangha embrace all of the people, even you are high level or low level of good background or not. You all have the chance in the Sangha if you go in the right direction of practice." 3:16 Meeting Thay 8:20 Arriving at Plum Village 11:30 Visa Trouble, First Stint at Deer Park 17:12 Bat Nha Monastery 26:25 Plum Village Thailand 32:00 Gratitude for Thay and the Path You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation. In this episode of Meet the Monastics, Brother Minh An speaks with Brother Phap Hoi, the eldest brother at Deer Park Monastery, about his extraordinary journey into monastic life. Born in 1970 into a humble family in Hanoi, Brother Phap Hoi's path led him across multiple countries, including Czechoslovakia, Germany, and eventually France, where he was ordained at Plum Village in 1996. His life was marked by significant challenges, including fleeing as a refugee, navigating borders without proper paperwork, and enduring hardships during his search for a spiritual home. Inspired by Thay's teachings, particularly The Miracle of Mindfulness, Brother Phap Hoi found his deep calling to monastic life after attending a Day of Mindfulness in Germany. Brother Phap Hoi shares how his practice flourished despite difficulties, from supporting the establishment of Deer Park Monastery in the U.S. to helping build Plum Village centers in Thailand and Vietnam, including the historic Bát Nhã Monastery. His reflections emphasize the resilience and strength of the monastic Sangha, particularly during times of persecution and hardship. Brother Phap Hoi expresses profound gratitude for Thay's inclusive and compassionate vision, which provided him with the opportunity to grow and serve, no matter his background or limitations. For Brother Phap Hoi, the Sangha is a true family, offering a path of transformation and love, which he continues to follow wholeheartedly. Meet the Monastics

Brother Phap Luu, the eldest non-Vietnamese American monk in the Plum Village tradition, graduated from Dartmouth College and started meditating after going through a depression.  "What is more satisfying in life than helping people to transform their suffering? I mean, who cares about money and all this other stuff? The biggest happiness I get is if I can help myself, first of all, but others to transform suffering in a real way. My goodness, if we can do that with only a few people in our life, that's already worth a lifetime, right?" Discourse on the Four Establishments of Mindfulness 2:16 Experiments in Community and Meditation 10:37 Returning to the US, Depression 16:04 Discovering the Four Establishments of Mindfulness 21:00 Returning to Dartmouth, Visiting Maple Forest Monastery 26:09 Decision to Become a Monk 31:00 Life as a Monk, Love for Thay, Ethics 40:10 Projects 51:39 Ideals of Monastic Life, Collective Awakening 1:09:17 The Monastic's Role, Advice for Potential Monastics You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation. This podcast episode, Meet the Monastics, hosted by Brother Minh An from Deer Park Monastery, introduces Brother Phap Luu (Brother Stream), the most senior non-Vietnamese American monastic in the Plum Village tradition. Brother Phap Luu shares his transformative journey, including his struggles with identity, community, and purpose before encountering the Dharma.  Early Life and Search for Meaning: Growing up in Connecticut, Brother Phap Luu studied English literature at Dartmouth College. He explored anarchist movements in Europe and lived in organic farming communities, experiencing both inspiration and disillusionment. These experiences deepened his inquiry into suffering, community, and personal transformation. Meeting Spiritual Teachers: His encounter with a Western teacher and later Thích Nhất Hạnh (Thầy) provided clarity and inspiration. The advice, “Don't be a Buddhist; be the Buddha,” profoundly influenced his approach to the path. Discovering Mindfulness Practice: Practicing the Four Establishments of Mindfulness during a difficult period helped him overcome depression and cultivate joy. This marked the beginning of his commitment to mindfulness and monastic life. Becoming a Monastic: Ordained in 2003 at Plum Village, France, Brother Phap Luu describes monastic life as a profound practice of non-self and community living. He values the precepts and ethics as foundational to transformation and expresses gratitude for Thầy's teachings and legacy. Community and Projects: Known for his boundless energy, Brother Phap Luu has contributed to initiatives like Wake Up for young practitioners, the Happy Farm, and hiking and science retreats. He reflects on balancing projects with mindfulness, cultivating non-attachment, and fostering harmony in the Sangha. Role of Monastics: Brother Phap Luu emphasizes the importance of monastics in balancing collective energy in society. He highlights the need for mindfulness, non-ideological approaches, and cultivating community harmony to address modern challenges like polarization and ecological crises. Download episode without music.

Sister Le Nghiem came to the practice after the death of her brother, and typically does solo retreat at the monastery for a few weeks a year. "So the practice gives me the greatest happiness. And this practice gives me being with others. Being with friends on retreat. Being with my siblings. Spending time each other. So when I practice it gives me happiness. And when my practice is deep, my happiness gets deeper. So it's all to do with the practice, nothing else." 2:17 Death of Brother and Discovering Thay's Teachings 9:25 Meeting the Monastic Sangha, Deciding to Become a Nun 17:00 Spending Time with Family Before Ordination 23:08 Nourishment from Solitude 32:34 Advice for Potential Nuns 35:49 Greatest Happiness in Monastic Life You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation. This is an interview from Meet the Monastics, hosted by Brother Minh An at Deer Park Monastery. The episode features Sister Le Nghiem, also known as Sister Respect, a monastic in the Plum Village tradition ordained in 2005 at the age of 35. Key Highlights: Journey to Monastic Life: She discovered mindfulness and Thích Nhất Hạnh's teachings during a difficult time after her brother's passing. Reading The Miracle of Mindfulness and joining a local Sangha in Brisbane were transformative, helping her heal and connect deeply with the Plum Village practice. Her aspiration to become a nun solidified after meeting Plum Village monastics during retreats in Australia. Family Challenges and Support: Coming from a non-Buddhist family, Sister Le Nghiem faced initial resistance to her decision to ordain. She postponed ordination in Vietnam in 2005 to spend quality time with her family, preparing them for her new path. Over time, her family grew to accept and support her choice. Solo Retreats and Community Life: Sister Le Nghiem finds nourishment in both solitary practice and community living. Her solo retreats allow her to connect deeply with herself, cultivating mindfulness and understanding. At the same time, she thrives in the Sangha environment, sharing the practice and building strong relationships with her monastic siblings. Inspiration for Young Women: Sister Le Nghiem advises aspiring nuns to focus wholeheartedly on the basic practices of mindfulness, which she believes are the foundation of a fulfilling monastic life. She emphasizes putting one's heart into the practice to find clarity and joy. The Role of Practice: Throughout her journey, Sister Le Nghiem highlights the central role of practice in cultivating happiness. Whether alone or with others, her deep commitment to mindfulness brings her the greatest fulfillment. This heartfelt interview offers insight into Sister Le Nghiem's spiritual path, her balance of solitude and community, and her unwavering dedication to the practice, which continues to inspire her daily life.

Sister Sr. Trung Chin left Vietnam as a refugee and has been a nun for over fifty years. "The aspiration of a monk or a nun is that we have to arrive to the most peaceful place, the happiest place in ourselves. And there's only the daily practice. The daily practice only helps us to arrive to that place, that aspiration. It's the daily practice of each person. If each one of us do our best and lessen our hate, our love, our attachment, our anger, we let go of them day by day, then we can see we can love everybody." 2:44 Discovering Spirituality and Ordination 7:35 Dreaming of the Buddha and Meeting Great Teachers 12:39 Appreciation for Plum Village 16:55 Overcoming Difficulties, Waking Early, Balancing Practice  22:57 Chanting, Pleasing the Land Ancestors 33:23 Aspiration You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation. This is an episode of the podcast Meet the Monastics by Brother Minh An from Deer Park Monastery, highlighting the story of Sister Trung Chin, also known as Sister Abbess. Sister Abbess has been a monastic for over 50 years, ordained at 15 in Vietnam, and later joined Plum Village at the invitation of Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay). She eventually became one of the first monastics at Deer Park Monastery. Her journey reveals her deep connection to the Buddhist path, beginning in childhood amidst the backdrop of the Vietnam War. After escaping Vietnam and living in various countries, she remained devoted to monastic life, finding solace and depth in Plum Village teachings. She shares her aspiration to embody Thay's teachings, practicing daily to cultivate peace, happiness, and love. She emphasizes the importance of community, gratitude for land ancestors, and integrating personal diligence with communal life. Throughout the interview, Sister Abbess reflects on the simplicity and depth of practice, the wisdom of Thay, and her hope that younger generations will continue the path of mindfulness and liberation. The episode ends with a reminder of the interconnectedness of personal and collective practice, gratitude to teachers and ancestors, and the importance of preserving Thay's legacy.

Brother Minh Nhan, one of the only monastics in the Plum Village tradition of Mexican descent, is a monk of many interests: music, mushrooms, math, and more.  "To join a community that maybe looks different, maybe don't see others like myself in it, let's say. Yeah, I mean, that's one way to look at it, but look at it as also, you're the one entering that. And you needn't be the last one either." 1:54 Introduction to Spirituality 14:38 Dropping Out of College 20:33 Arriving at Deer Park 22:11 Depression 31:09 Practice, Study, Play, and Rest 36:32 Being a Mexican Buddhist Monk 40:14 Advice for Those Considering Monastic Life Source The Kalama Sutra You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation. The “Meet the Monastics” podcast from Deer Park Monastery, hosted by Brother Minh An, features weekly conversations with monastics about their journeys and inspirations. In this episode, he interviews Brother Minh Nhan, also known as Brother Kindness, who shares his unique story as one of the few monastics of Mexican descent in the Plum Village tradition. Brother Minh Nhan's journey began with an interest in spirituality during high school, sparked by reading Siddhartha and the Kalama Sutta, which encouraged him to explore and trust his own experiences. He also found unexpected spiritual mentors through a yoga class he joined, thinking it was a pottery course. His college path led him to advanced studies in mathematics, but he eventually left academia, seeking a life of greater purpose and spiritual practice. This pivotal decision was influenced by his deepening mindfulness practice, which had provided stability during challenging times. Choosing monastic life allowed him to align his values with his desire to benefit others, realizing that spiritual practice could offer lasting peace and service to those around him. His reflections highlight the importance of play and simplicity in daily life, helping balance the rigorous study and introspection of monastic training. Brother Minh Nhan is committed to the practice and hopes one day to share Buddhism with the Mexican community, while continuing to grow in the Plum Village tradition. The episode encourages others to explore monastic life, emphasizing that a diverse community can be enriched by newcomers.

Sister Boi Nghiem studied nursing before being ordained, and works regularly as a nun with the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and teen communities. "I think I have a very healthy relationship with myself. Very healthy mental dialogue with myself. There were times I comforted myself. There were times I'm very firm with myself, tell myself to stop thinking that way. And they help. This is why I kept on sharing the importance of self-love. Because by the end of the day, it is the self-love that helped me, that saved me, that keeps me going. Because if I continue to criticize myself or have excessive negative thoughts, I cannot do much. It's very tiring. So I think that is the reason why that helped me not to fall into burnout."" 3:07 Heartbreak, Visiting Green Mountain, Deer Park, and Plum Village 6:37 Novicehood at Plum Village  11:40 Magnolia Grove Monastery 25:00 Interest in Social Injustice 28:34 Teens 34:42 LGBTQIA+ 40:55 BIPOC 53:26 Burnout 1:07:07 Basic Practice 1:17:25 Advice for Potential Monastics You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation. This episode of “Meet the Monastics,” hosted by Brother Minh An from Deer Park Monastery, shares insights into the lives and practices of monastics in the Plum Village tradition.  In this episode, he interviews Sister Boi Nghiem (Sister True Pearl), who joined monastic life in 2005 at age 21. Sister Boi Nghiem emphasizes the significance of self-love and healthy inner dialogue as key practices to maintain well-being and prevent burnout. She shares her journey from a childhood in central Vietnam to immigrating to the U.S. and eventually finding spiritual direction after a difficult breakup. Initially drawn to Plum Village for personal healing, she gradually committed to monastic life. Sister Boi Nghiem has devoted herself to supporting diverse groups, including the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and teen communities. Her advocacy grew from personal experiences and a deep awareness of societal suffering, leading her to foster inclusivity in the Sangha. Her practice of mindfulness, compassion, and gratitude is nurtured by regular breathing exercises, walking meditation, and the support of her monastic community. The episode also highlights the foundational role of the Plum Village Sangha and the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh in fostering a mindful, compassionate, and engaged monastic community.  Listen without the music track.

Sister Kinh Nghiem, one of the funniest and most stylish nuns in the world, was ordained when she was only 14. "Get rid of all of your ideas of what monastic practice is. You know, you come here, I mean, the practice is wonderful. And it's for you to come and see for yourself. But if you start getting ideas of what you expect monastic life to be like, you'll have a hard time. Because there's two sides to the coin, if you want to say it, you know? Sometimes the sisters have some expectation, and then you and yourself have some expectation. "Oh, I thought this was a Buddhist community. I think we're supposed to practice loving kindness and compassion and help, and everybody's so mean." You know, I mean, honestly, if you let go of the ideas and just focus on your bodhichitta, focus on what you want. And those other things of how people say things to you, which is sort of like, be a minor, it's not important." You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation.  AI Summary This podcast episode from Deer Park Monastery's Meet the Monastics features Brother Minh An interviewing Sister Kinh Nghiem, a long-time monastic who was ordained at the age of 14. The episode highlights Sister Kinh Nghiem's journey to monastic life, sharing stories from her childhood, growing up with a deeply Buddhist mother and a non-practicing Catholic father. Sister Kinh Nghiem's mother was a devoted follower of Thich Nhat Hanh, influencing Sister Kinh Nghiem's early exposure to Buddhism, despite her initial disinterest. At 14, Sister Kinh Nghiem attended a retreat led by Thich Nhat Hanh, and though she had no deep understanding of Buddhism or meditation at the time, his teachings resonated with her, especially on impermanence, suffering, and happiness. She experienced a personal awakening, realizing that she wanted to share these teachings with her peers and help others navigate life's challenges. Sister Kinh Nghiem reflects on her decision to become a monastic, noting how it wasn't initially about finding peace within herself but about helping her friends. She also shares how her parents reacted to her decision, with her mother ultimately allowing her to make the choice herself. Within weeks of attending the retreat, Sister Kinh Nghiem traveled to Plum Village in France, where she was ordained. Throughout the episode, she emphasizes the importance of letting go of preconceived ideas about monastic life. She explains that the path of a monastic is not about conforming to rigid expectations, but about staying true to one's intentions and practice, regardless of external challenges or judgments. For her, it was essential to maintain her individuality while also harmonizing with the monastic community.  The episode closes with advice to those considering monastic life: approach it with an open mind, free from expectations, and be ready to face the personal responsibility it entails.

Brother Minh Luong was raised in Laguna Beach, California, and went to NYU, where he read a book that changed his life. "I realized recently that there really is no separation between the practice and everything we do in our daily life. Either we're creating conditions for a practice space, like an internal practice space, or we're taking conditions away. And so if I can live in a calm and peaceful and serene way and do things that contribute to mindfulness and peace in my daily life, then I'll have a lot of success in my spiritual practice."   2:03 Introduction to Buddhism 5:58 Moving Home 8:50 Ideas about Monastic Life 13:49 India Trip and Meeting the Sangha 19:29 Why Monastic Life? 25:12 Sacrifice and Aspiration 31:19 Bhikshu Ordination 34:22 Moving to Thailand 39:03 Being a Western Monastic and Advice for those Interested   You can support this podcast by leaving a comment or review in your podcast application and by sharing it with friends. Financial support can be offered through the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation. 

Thich Nhat Hanh offers this dharma talk at Deer Park Monastery during the Colors of Compassion Retreat on March 25, 2004.

A Dharma talk with Br. Man Tue from the Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall at Deer Park Monastery during our Day of Mindfulness, Sunday, July 23, 2023. Our theme is how to stop, rest, and heal. 

Hello to you listening in Manassas, Virginia!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Time Out Tuesday and your host, Diane Wyzga.Maybe like me you've been so busy with stuff that you defer your happiness - until tomorrow. Maybe you think that the faster you go the quicker you'll get ahead but actually the behinder you get.What if we choose to begin anew by slowing our busy lives. What if there was a way to remember to slow down. I have something that might help from the good monastics at Deer Park Monastery where no one hurries but everything gets done:  “Happiness is here and nowI have dropped my worriesNowhere to goNothing to doNo longer in a hurry. Happiness is here and nowI have dropped my worriesSomewhere to goSomething to doAnd I don't need to hurry.”Practical Tip: Give it go. See how it helps you!  You're invited: “Come for the stories - stay for the magic!” Speaking of magic, I hope you'll subscribe, share a nice shout out on your social media or podcast channel of choice, and join us next time! Remember to stop by the website, check out the Services, arrange a Discovery Call, and Opt In to stay current with Diane and Quarter Moon Story Arts and on Linked In.  Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer's Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicAll content and image © 2019 to Present: for credit & attribution Quarter Moon Story Arts

Nicole Dunn shares about her time at Deer Park Monastery over the winter. Talk given at Be Here Now on Monday April 17, 2023.

Here we have a Dharma talk offered by Thay Pháp Xứ from the Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall at Deer Park Monastery on Sunday, February 12, 2023. The teaching is on a Day of Mindfulness with the theme The Power of True Love. Thay offers us one of his poems as the foundation for the teaching. This is a translation from the Vietnamese by Sister Mai Trang.

The Dharma talk offered here by Thay Phap Luu took place on Sunday, January 2, 2023 on the last day of our annual Holiday Retreat. The theme for our holiday retreat this year is "The Path is Our Home" and over 300 people gather here at Deer Park Monastery from December 29th to January 2nd, 2023. Our talk theme is Confidence in the Dharma

For our Day of Mindfulness today (Sunday November 27, 2022) the Dharma talk is offered by Sr. Thần Nghiêm. The talk is in English. Awareness of mind. Distraction. Mindfulness. Concentration.

Today is the opening of the annual Rains Retreat and our Dharma talk is offered by the Most Venerable Thích Phước Tịnh. He speaks in Vietnamese and Sr. Kinh Nghiem offers the English translation in this recording. Our theme is the Four Establishments of Mindfulness and preparing for the Rains Retreat. Sunday, September 18, 2022 Deer Park Monastery, Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall

As part of our in-person Day of Mindfulness, we will hear a Dharma talk from Su Co Thần Nghiêm in English. Some of the topics include:  Hiking/Camping trip the monastics recently took to Utah Revision to the Third Mindfulness Training Four ways to support others in the practice We hope you enjoy this episode. 

Hello to you listening in Manassas, Virginia!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Time Out Tuesday and your host, Diane Wyzga.Maybe like me you've been so busy with stuff that you defer your happiness - until tomorrow. Maybe you think that the faster you go the quicker you'll get ahead but actually the behinder you get.What if we choose to begin anew by slowing our busy lives. What if there was a way to remember to slow down. I have something that might help from the good monastics at Deer Park Monastery where no one hurries but everything gets done:  “Happiness is here and nowI have dropped my worriesNowhere to goNothing to doNo longer in a hurry. Happiness is here and nowI have dropped my worriesSomewhere to goSomething to doAnd I don't need to hurry.”Practical Tip: Give it go. See how it helps you!  You're invited: “Come for the stories - stay for the magic!” Speaking of magic, I hope you'll subscribe, share a nice shout out on your social media or podcast channel of choice, and join us next time! Remember to stop by the website, check out the Services, arrange a Discovery Call, and Opt In to stay current with Diane and Quarter Moon Story Arts and on Linked In.  Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer's Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicAll content and image © 2019 to Present: for credit & attribution Quarter Moon Story Arts

This is the English translation of the talk offered in Vietnamese by Hòa Thượng Thích Phước Tịnh on our Vesak celebration day. We discover teachings on anxiety, popularity, and science. The translation is provided by Sr. Dang Nghiem. 

Welcome to episode 28 of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives. In this episode, lay Buddhist practitioner and journalist Jo Confino is joined by Zen Buddhist nun Sister Lang Nghiem, of the Plum Village community, to talk about the role of Buddhist psychology in understanding how our mind works. What is the impact of our survival instincts in today’s world? What are the risks of focusing only on ourselves? And are we really responsible for everything? Sister Chan Lang Nghiem (Adornment with Heroic March) was ordained as a novice nun in 2003, received full ordination as a bhikshuni in 2006, and became a dharma teacher in 2010. Originally from Vietnam, she and her family immigrated to America in 1979. She has lived in Lower Hamlet, France; Deer Park Monastery, California; and Blue Cliff Monastery, New York. With her love of books and of Thay's teachings, she serves on the advisory board of Parallax Press and is happy to see Thay's books appear in schools, hospitals, and prisons, on bedside tables, and even in local coffee shops around the world. Though an amateur at sewing, she can replicate practically anything just by looking at the original product. Many of the robes, jackets, hats, cushions, and mats in Plum Village are lovingly sewn with her mindful energy.In this episode, Sister Lang Nghiem digs deeply into Buddhist psychology and how it can help people lead a better life. She further discusses manas, interbeing, and false boundaries and identities; protective and survival instincts; pleasure seeking and moderation; levels of happiness; avoidance of suffering; individual and collective consciousness; sharing; store and mind consciousness; cultivating peace through consciousness; and new ways to lead peace talks during a war. And: why do we need a self? How that works for us and where it stops helping.  Jo shares about the art of letting go; separation; work environments and happiness; gratitude practices; and the story of an unlikely friendship. The episode ends with a short meditation guided by Sister Lang Nghiem. Co-produced by the Plum Village App:https://plumvillage.app/ And Global Optimism:https://globaloptimism.com/ With support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation:https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/ List of resources Sister Chân Lăng Nghiêm (Adornment with Heroic March)https://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/sr-lang-nghiem/Plum Village Communityhttps://plumvillage.org/#filter=.region-eu Deer Park Monasteryhttps://deerparkmonastery.org/ Blue Cliff Monasteryhttps://www.bluecliffmonastery.org/ ‘Thich Nhat Hanh on Mind and Consciousness'https://plumvillage.app/thich-nhat-hanh-on-mind-and-consciousness/ Thich Nhat Hanh On…: ‘The Mind as a Gardener'https://plumvillage.org/articles/the-mind-as-a-gardener/ Dharma Talks: ‘Manas Consciousness, Teachings on Buddhist Psychology Retreat, 1997'https://plumvillage.org/library/dharma-talks/manas-consciousness-thich-nhat-hanh-teachings-on-buddhist-psychology-retreat-1997/ Dharma Talks: ‘Interbeing and Store Consciousness'https://plumvillage.org/library/dharma-talks/interbeing-and-store-consciousness/ Dharma Talks: ‘The Power of Understanding – Transformation of Manas'https://plumvillage.org/library/dharma-talks/the-power-of-understanding-transformation-of-manas-dharma-talk-by-sr-tue-nghiem-2018-08-02/ ‘Cultivating Our Blue Sky Nature: Skilful Means for Emotional Healing'https://www.mindfulnessbell.org/archive/tag/change+the+peg Kristallnachthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristallnacht Quotes “There’s so many different models of how the mind works. Western psychology has one model, and Buddha psychology has one model, but I think we have to remember that they’re all just models. Nothing is absolute.” “Your thoughts continue in the world.” “It’s important to recognize what we identify with and, when it is being challenged, the lengths to which we go to protect it, and the expense, the cost of protecting it, to our own happiness or to the happiness of the organisation, our loved ones, the people around us, other nations around us.” “We always had to protect ourselves from the elements, the dangers. But now, increasingly, we are able to create more and more safe environments in terms of homes, or relationships, alliances and things like that – but that survival instinct, that need to protect and feel that we are being threatened and endangered is still very much alive. So we have to be quite aware of how manas operates, how the survival instinct is operating in us, so that we’re not spending all of our energy just trying to survive and trying to protect ourselves, but to spend more energy trying to recognize what our potential is and what the other person's potential is as well. Spend more time cultivating the things that we would like to cultivate in ourselves and in the other person. More peace, more happiness, more joy and more compassion, rather than spending so much time trying to protect the boundaries that we feel are ‘ourselves' and that need protecting.” “The teaching of interbeing is crucial in helping us to recognize the false boundaries or false identities that we are often stuck with every day. I think we have to train ourselves to see that we’re not separate. My happiness is not separate from your happiness. We can share this cup and I’ll still be happy, for instance. Or there’s so many things that I feel are crucial to my happiness, but I can challenge that a little bit. And what I think is my happiness is not just my own individual happiness; it’s intimately related to your happiness, your safety, your well-being as well.” “It’s very important for us to also recognize our deepest desire. And it’s not just to survive, it’s to be happy, and to ‘download' this message to our stored consciousness. And the stronger awareness we have of our desire, of our deepest desire – our deepest desire is to be happy. Our choices align accordingly.” “We can have more than one truth. We can suffer and we can be happy. And if someone’s suffering, we don’t have to just have to offer them more suffering. We can offer them lightness of being. We can offer them joy, but while also being deeply respectful of the suffering.” “You don’t need to go on a training course, you don’t have to spend money, it doesn’t have to take 10 years of hard work, it’s just a change of perceptions, like putting a different lens in our camera.” “Trying to avoid suffering actually leads to suffering.”

Welcome to episode 28 of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives. In this episode, lay Buddhist practitioner and journalist Jo Confino is joined by Zen Buddhist nun Sister Lang Nghiem, of the Plum Village community, to talk about the role of Buddhist psychology in understanding how our mind works. What is the impact of our survival instincts in today’s world? What are the risks of focusing only on ourselves? And are we really responsible for everything? Sister Chan Lang Nghiem (Adornment with Heroic March) was ordained as a novice nun in 2003, received full ordination as a bhikshuni in 2006, and became a dharma teacher in 2010. Originally from Vietnam, she and her family immigrated to America in 1979. She has lived in Lower Hamlet, France; Deer Park Monastery, California; and Blue Cliff Monastery, New York. With her love of books and of Thay's teachings, she serves on the advisory board of Parallax Press and is happy to see Thay's books appear in schools, hospitals, and prisons, on bedside tables, and even in local coffee shops around the world. Though an amateur at sewing, she can replicate practically anything just by looking at the original product. Many of the robes, jackets, hats, cushions, and mats in Plum Village are lovingly sewn with her mindful energy.In this episode, Sister Lang Nghiem digs deeply into Buddhist psychology and how it can help people lead a better life. She further discusses manas, interbeing, and false boundaries and identities; protective and survival instincts; pleasure seeking and moderation; levels of happiness; avoidance of suffering; individual and collective consciousness; sharing; store and mind consciousness; cultivating peace through consciousness; and new ways to lead peace talks during a war. And: why do we need a self? How that works for us and where it stops helping.  Jo shares about the art of letting go; separation; work environments and happiness; gratitude practices; and the story of an unlikely friendship. The episode ends with a short meditation guided by Sister Lang Nghiem. Co-produced by the Plum Village App:https://plumvillage.app/ And Global Optimism:https://globaloptimism.com/ With support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation:https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/ List of resources Sister Chân Lăng Nghiêm (Adornment with Heroic March)https://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/sr-lang-nghiem/Plum Village Communityhttps://plumvillage.org/#filter=.region-eu Deer Park Monasteryhttps://deerparkmonastery.org/ Blue Cliff Monasteryhttps://www.bluecliffmonastery.org/ ‘Thich Nhat Hanh on Mind and Consciousness'https://plumvillage.app/thich-nhat-hanh-on-mind-and-consciousness/ Thich Nhat Hanh On…: ‘The Mind as a Gardener'https://plumvillage.org/articles/the-mind-as-a-gardener/ Dharma Talks: ‘Manas Consciousness, Teachings on Buddhist Psychology Retreat, 1997'https://plumvillage.org/library/dharma-talks/manas-consciousness-thich-nhat-hanh-teachings-on-buddhist-psychology-retreat-1997/ Dharma Talks: ‘Interbeing and Store Consciousness'https://plumvillage.org/library/dharma-talks/interbeing-and-store-consciousness/ Dharma Talks: ‘The Power of Understanding – Transformation of Manas'https://plumvillage.org/library/dharma-talks/the-power-of-understanding-transformation-of-manas-dharma-talk-by-sr-tue-nghiem-2018-08-02/ ‘Cultivating Our Blue Sky Nature: Skilful Means for Emotional Healing'https://www.parallax.org/mindfulnessbell//archive/tag/change+the+peg Kristallnachthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristallnacht Quotes “There’s so many different models of how the mind works. Western psychology has one model, and Buddha psychology has one model, but I think we have to remember that they’re all just models. Nothing is absolute.” “Your thoughts continue in the world.” “It’s important to recognize what we identify with and, when it is being challenged, the lengths to which we go to protect it, and the expense, the cost of protecting it, to our own happiness or to the happiness of the organisation, our loved ones, the people around us, other nations around us.” “We always had to protect ourselves from the elements, the dangers. But now, increasingly, we are able to create more and more safe environments in terms of homes, or relationships, alliances and things like that – but that survival instinct, that need to protect and feel that we are being threatened and endangered is still very much alive. So we have to be quite aware of how manas operates, how the survival instinct is operating in us, so that we’re not spending all of our energy just trying to survive and trying to protect ourselves, but to spend more energy trying to recognize what our potential is and what the other person's potential is as well. Spend more time cultivating the things that we would like to cultivate in ourselves and in the other person. More peace, more happiness, more joy and more compassion, rather than spending so much time trying to protect the boundaries that we feel are ‘ourselves' and that need protecting.” “The teaching of interbeing is crucial in helping us to recognize the false boundaries or false identities that we are often stuck with every day. I think we have to train ourselves to see that we’re not separate. My happiness is not separate from your happiness. We can share this cup and I’ll still be happy, for instance. Or there’s so many things that I feel are crucial to my happiness, but I can challenge that a little bit. And what I think is my happiness is not just my own individual happiness; it’s intimately related to your happiness, your safety, your well-being as well.” “It’s very important for us to also recognize our deepest desire. And it’s not just to survive, it’s to be happy, and to ‘download' this message to our stored consciousness. And the stronger awareness we have of our desire, of our deepest desire – our deepest desire is to be happy. Our choices align accordingly.” “We can have more than one truth. We can suffer and we can be happy. And if someone’s suffering, we don’t have to just have to offer them more suffering. We can offer them lightness of being. We can offer them joy, but while also being deeply respectful of the suffering.” “You don’t need to go on a training course, you don’t have to spend money, it doesn’t have to take 10 years of hard work, it’s just a change of perceptions, like putting a different lens in our camera.” “Trying to avoid suffering actually leads to suffering.”

OI members Mike & Nicole Dunn share about their winter spent at Deer Park Monastery. Talk given at Be Here Now Sangha on Monday April 18th, 2022.

At the recent Wake Up Retreat, 10% identified as neither male or female. Attendees self-identified as non-binary, fluid, queer, trans, and gender non-conforming. Thay Phap Dung explores his experiences and feelings of this reality. He relates it to Buddhist concepts of non-dualism and notions. The Buddha said 100% of our perception is wrong. From here we learn about suchness, representation and mere images

Friday, April 8, 2022. Wake Up Retreat. Our retreat theme is Beginning Now and this is the Second Dharma Talk for the retreat. Thay Phap Luu offers the Dharma talk.  Store consciousness. Mindfulness. Interbeing. The last portion of the talk, we learn more about the Five Mindfulness Trainings with three lay practitioners sharing their experience. We have 115 young adults (18-35) in attendance for this 5-day retreat.

This is the English translation, by Sr. Dang Nghiem, of the dharma talk offered on a Day of Mindfulness at Deer Park Monastery. March 6, 2022

This vulnerable and touching dharma talk about "Continuing Thay's Aspiration" by Brother Phap Dung, a senior Plum Village Dharma Teacher was offered during Memorial week for Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. It began 11am Friday, January 28, 2022. The talk will be streamed live from Deer Park Monastery in Escondido, California.

Hello to you listening in Wellington, New Zealand!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is 60 Seconds for Time Out Tuesday.I was talking with my friend and story colleague, Sarah Elkins when the topic of Anger came up. I mentioned a 60 Seconds episode about having lived some of my life feeling like a hammer - when you're a hammer everything looks like a nail.Sarah asked me when that way of being had stopped. There is no date certain. The experience is much like watching paint dry or grass grow; you know it's happening but the shift is infinitesimal. However, I can say that after being introduced to Thich Nhat Hanh, his teachings and Deer Park Monastery as well as walking the Camino de Santiago as a pilgrim my life was never the same.  Practical Tip: "You know what to do to look more beautiful. You don't need any cosmetics.  You need only to breathe peacefully, calmly and smile mindfully. If you can do that one or two times a day, you will look much better. See yourself in the mirror: breathing in calmly, breathing out smiling - you will feel relief.” Thich Nhat Hanh [Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames]60 Seconds is your daily dose of hope, imagination, wisdom, stories, practical tips, and general riffing on this and that. This is the place to thrive together. Come for the stories - stay for the magic. Speaking of magic, I hope you'll subscribe, follow, share a nice shout out on your social media or podcast channel of choice, including Android, and join us next time! You're invited to stop by the website and subscribe to stay current with Diane, her journeys, her guests, as well as creativity, imagination, walking, stories, camaraderie, and so much more: Quarter Moon Story ArtsStories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer's Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicAll content and image © 2019 - Present: for credit & attribution Quarter Moon Story Arts 

Hello to you listening in Quito, Ecuador, South America!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is 60 Seconds for Story Prompt Friday with questions carefully chosen to help you collect stories in the oral tradition or spark your own writing. Either way, you'll say, "Thanks for the memories."At Deer Park Monastery we sing a song called We're All Moving. Click here to listen.  The lyrics go like this:"We're all movingOn a journey to nowhere,Taking it easy,Taking it slow,No more worries,No need to hurry,Nothing to carry,Let it all go."For today, choose to let go of something, let it slide. Skip the email. Shut off the phone. Leave the dishes til tomorrow. Let someone else take out the trash. Whatever it is you choose, let it all go, let it slide......Story Prompt: What did you choose to let go? How did it feel to take back that time for you? What will you let go next? Write that story!Practical Tip: The magic of stories is also in the sharing. If you wish share your story with someone or something.   All that matters is you have a story.60 Seconds is your daily dose of hope, imagination, wisdom, stories, practical tips, and general riffing on this and that. This is the place to thrive together. Come for the stories - stay for the magic. Speaking of magic, I hope you'll subscribe, follow, share a nice shout out on your social media or podcast channel of choice, including Android, and join us next time! You're invited to stop by the website and subscribe to stay current with Diane, her journeys, her guests, as well as creativity, imagination, walking, stories, camaraderie, and so much more: Quarter Moon Story ArtsStories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer's Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicAll content and image © 2019 - Present: for credit & attribution Quarter Moon Story Arts 

Hello to you listening in Shepherds Bush, London, UK!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is 60 Seconds, your daily dose of hope, imagination, wisdom, stories, practical tips, and general riffing on this and that.Maybe like me you experience negative feelings, anxieties and uncertainties from time to time. Borrowing from my beloved Plum Village (and Deer Park Monastery) here are 3 ways to care for and transform ourselves.1. Practice walking meditation in nature. Walk slowly, feeling the earth directly beneath your feet - barefoot if you can. Feel the strength of the earth enter you.2. Go outdoors and practice touching the earth with your head, arms and legs. Embrace Mother Earth and release all your negative emotions and feelings into the ground. Click here is you wish to watch a short video on how to practice ‘Touching of the Earth'.3. Lighten up. Relax. We may feel lost but we are making good time.  This is the place to thrive together. Come for the stories - stay for the magic. Speaking of magic, I hope you'll subscribe, follow, share a nice shout out on your social media or podcast channel of choice, including Android, and join us next time! You're invited to stop by the website and subscribe to stay current with Diane, her journeys, her guests, as well as creativity, imagination, walking, stories, camaraderie, and so much more: Quarter Moon Story ArtsProduction Team: Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer's Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicAll content and image © 2019 - Present: for credit & attribution Quarter Moon Story Arts

Hello to you in Kalaheo, Hawai'i!  Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is 60 Seconds for Story Prompt Friday with questions carefully chosen to help you collect stories in the oral tradition or spark your own writing. Either way, you'll say, "Thanks for the memories." I was talking with someone the other day about how we want to have COVID back - without the COVID - meaning that there are elements of the past year which slowed us and showed us who we are, how we interact, what's important, and so on. The conversation reminded me of how I felt returning home after a meditation retreat at my beloved Deer Park Monastery. Jack Kornfield calls it, After the Ecstasy, the Laundry. Now what?We are coming back into the world different, re-shaped, maybe even forged as if we passed through fire.Story Prompt: How might we continue the best parts of ourselves, those parts we discovered in our quietest moments? Write that story!Practical Tip: The magic of stories is also in the sharing. If you wish share your story with someone or something.   All that matters is you have a story.This is the place to thrive together. Come for the stories - stay for the magic. Speaking of magic, I hope you'll subscribe, follow, share a nice shout out on your social media or podcast channel of choice, including Android, and join us next time! You're invited to stop by the website and subscribe to stay current with Diane, her journeys, her guests, as well as creativity, imagination, walking, stories, camaraderie, and so much more: Quarter Moon Story ArtsProduction Team: Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer's Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicAll content and image © 2019 - Present: for credit & attribution Quarter Moon Story Arts

Hello to you in Buffalo, New York!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is 60 Seconds, your daily dose of hope, imagination, wisdom, stories, practical tips, and general riffing on this and that.Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May since 1949. May is a time to raise awareness of those living with mental or behavioral health issues, help reduce the stigma so many experience, and provide information about resources available in the community. Many innovative strategies to identify and treat behavioral disorders are improving the quality of life for people who are suffering. The more we are aware of what’s available the more able we will be to help those in need to feel safe and free from sorrow and fear.  Why am I bringing this up? Within the last year, Brother Peace - a monastic  at my beloved Deer Park Monastery -  lost both of his parents, to suicide. In response he wrote a song to bring deep healing because “It won’t always be this way.” Click here  to listen to Brother Peace.  It Won't Always Be This Way (lyrics)It won’t always be this wayWill you live dear another dayAnd give yourselfOne more honest chanceLife isn’t stone, it’s a flowing danceAnd seasons change It won’t always be this wayIt won’t always be this way And if you’re strugglingTo find meaning in this worldYou’re not alone dear Let’s watch miracles unfurlShifting sunsetsGolden mountain lightPools of waterIced from winter nightsAnd all is blooming It won’t always be this wayIt won’t always be this wayIt won’t always be this way Everything that is must come to endSo enjoy nowThis perfect dayThings are changing and your broken heart will mendIf you need me I’m right here inside of youYou can find me looking deeply at the moonFeeling in-breathFilling belly upHealing out-breathLet life fill your cupEnjoy this moment It won’t always be this wayIt won’t always be this way." This is the place to thrive together. Come for the stories - stay for the magic.  Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, follow, share a nice shout out on your social media or podcast channel of choice, and join us next time! You’re invited to stop by the website and subscribe to stay current with Diane, her journeys, her guests, as well as creativity, imagination, walking, stories, camaraderie, and so much more: Quarter Moon Story ArtsProduction Team: Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicAll content and image © 2019 - Present: for credit & attribution Quarter Moon Story Arts

Hello, Paris, France!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is 60 Seconds, your daily dose of hope, imagination, wisdom, stories, practical tips, and general riffing on this and that.Monasteries established by my teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk are not just places for mindful walking and dharma talks. Blue Cliff in New York - like its sister monastery Deer Park in Escondido, California - offer self-help practices like Qigong.Given the influence of COVID many teachings have gone online with YouTube sessions. One I enjoy is called Blood Cleanse Qigong offered by Brother Insight. If you click here  (in the Episode Notes) you can take part in the 20 minute 9 movement set designed to help generate good circulation, calm your body and mind, and perhaps prevent dis-ease.May the merit of this practice benefit you and bring you peace.NOTE: You can apply this 20 Minute Daily Routine in the Morning or in the Afternoon. Practice this Set of Qigong barefooted and repeat each movement 21 times.There are 9 movements in this Set of Qigong:1. Activate Hands and Legs2. Open Arms3. Hands Folded, Body Curving4. Hands Upward and Backward5. Slap two knees6. Two Hands Clap the Nape7. Tap on the Top of the Head8. Hands wash Two  Ears9. Flap the Soles of the FeetThis is the place to thrive together. Come for the stories - stay for the magic.  Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, follow, share a nice shout out on your social media or podcast channel of choice, and join us next time! You’re invited to stop by the website and subscribe to stay current with Diane, her journeys, her guests, as well as creativity, imagination, walking, stories, camaraderie, and so much more: Quarter Moon Story ArtsProduction Team: Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicAll content and image © 2019 - Present: for credit & attribution Quarter Moon Story Arts

2000-06-03 (77-minutes) – It's been a long while since posting a dharma talk for you all, and for that I apologize. Today for our Day of Mindfulness at Deer Park Monastery, we heard this talk from June 3, 2000 at New Hamlet, Plum Village. The talk is part of the 21-Day Retreat that year with the theme of Eyes of the Buddha. For this talk, we take a deep dive into what it means to be sangha. Some of what Thay shares is for the monastic sangha, but can be equally applied to a lay community. Right out front, Thay says the very minimum number for a sangha is four people. He then proceeds to outline the steps for the Sanghakarman Procedure. From this presentation, the rest of the talk focuses on the Six Togethernesses. A real sangha must practice all six. Body. Being physically present in one place.Mindfulness TrainingsSharing. Dharma discussion. Nonverbal action. Presence. (View, insight, understanding, wisdom)Speech. Loving speech. Calm and gentle.Material resources are shared equallyHappy and joyful. Synthesis of all ideas. Toward the end, Thay explains the difference between the core sangha and the extended sangha. I hope you enjoy the talk.

This talk was given on the 12th of September, 2020 in Solidity Hamlet at Deer Park Monastery. You can support us by donating at https://plumvillage.org/support.

This talk was given at Deer Park Monastery at the start of the annual 90-Day Retreat. This podcast is an edited recording of the live stream which took place on the Deer Park Monastery YouTube channel. You can support us by donating at https://plumvillage.org/support

This week's episode is with my dear friend Mauricio Barriga, a schoolteacher originally from Mexico, now living in Santa Ana in Orange County. Mauricio and I met at Deer Park Monastery, CA, which is where he learnt his practice of meditation in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh and here he explains the essence of this practice and how it transformed his life. Simple, honest, authentic and beautiful, Mauricio is the living embodiment of the teachings of the Buddha.         

Brother Ngo Khong shares about habit energies, strong emotions and how to transform them.

Is the Present Moment ENOUGH?  | “Every Breath is peace. Mindfulness and Buddhism.”| Apodcast.com #52 with Carl HarmanWhat is Buddhism? Who is Buddha? Learn about the origins of Buddhism and how Buddhist mindful thinking practices ease suffering, pain, loss, and fear.Buddha reached enlightenment by realizing his jailer was ignorance. He ministered for 40 years teaching others the four noble truths and eightfold path. Meditation and prayer go together. Prayer is talking to God. Meditation is listening to God.Mindfulness is being comfortable with the present moment and finding peace there. Experience the pain or happiness. Anything done in mindfulness is meditation, even normal daily activities like walking, seeing, and listening to the present moment. Most look at happiness in the future. I'll be happy when I ... own a house, finish school, find the perfect job, or retire. Happiness is in the here and now. Happiness is available in looking into the present moment and experiencing it as it is, not as we'd like it to be.Eating meditation at the Deer Park Monastery. Bow to the plate and food. Look deeply into the food. Make food with love.  Food isn't yours. It contains sunlight, rain, or an animal. Experience the miracle of it. Some monks close their eyes as they chew each morsel up to 30 times and feel the vibration of food becoming them.Practice mindful shopping at the grocery store. Will this food really nourish my body? Understand where food comes from. Local farms and ranches are usually the best food sources.If you ingest food into your body that's been suffering, you feed yourself that suffering. Wild game, pasture raised, or kosher animals are healthier because the animal lived a free life.The five remembrances push away anything that's scary. All experience illness, aging, death, and loss. How to overcome the fear of death? Look it directly in the face. I could die today, but I have this breath to take in peace. The death meditation involves meditating over corpses, watching them die and decompose. My actions are my own true belongings. Actions create reality. Only invite harmonious things, then other good things come. Practice perfection in this moment.  The ego is what we think we are. It's a reflection in the mirror that thinks it's real. It's empty and made up of false narratives. Talk to it in meditation. Recognize you're not your thoughts. You are so much more, so pure.Are you sure? I'm not sure of anything.When the wave realizes it's the ocean, that's enlightenment. Let go of everything and ask what is the truth? Thank you brain, but I'm trying to listen from a deeper place. Am I separate from everybody?Are you an individual cookie or a piece of the larger cookie dough?  Buddhist view of the afterlife is Nirvana, Enlightenment, & Reincarnation. Dali Lama is the reincarnation of Avalokiteśvara, the  bodhisattva of compassion.Christ teaches love. Love God and love your neighbor. Thich Nhat Hanh loves Jesus and Buddha. If your favorite flower is roses does that mean you don't like lilies? Learn from all faiths. Talk kindly to your suffering.Recognize suffering like a doctor identifying an illness. Wounds in heart become the object of meditation. Embrace your fear, hatred, anguish, and anger. Pull it in instead of pushing it away. Showing it to doc is mindfulness. Treat it with kindness and non-violence. "I know you are there. I am here for you and I will take care of you. What are you trying to teach me." Emotions are meant to be felt and point one to peace. Find peace with yourself. Bring down the wall. It's the ego trying to protect itself.First noble truth. 1. Admit there's suffering. Can't live without suffering. It's more suffering to pretend you don't have suffering. 2. reason to suffering. 3. end to suffering. 4. Eight fold path is end of suffering. Right view = wholesome viewHow to practice right speech? Start with yourself. There's no right speech with others if don't have it first with yourself. Practice saying things true but good. "I am worthy of love." Start with ourselves and then it's easy to say to others.How to become a better compassionate listener? Practice listening to understand, not reply. Listen to someone who rubs you the wrong way. Find the compassion in people you disagree with. Top Buddhist practice - stop fighting with yourself. Breathing in I know emotion is in me. Be kind to it. Rule of 3 - Accept the moment as if you chose it. Do something to make the moment better. Or leave the moment. Practice accepting hard things. I'm choosing to be here in this moment. Stand in the slowest grocery line. ==================================Apodcast.com - Listen, Learn and Share.Join our Facebook Group "Apodcast with..." and introduce us to our next guests: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2266073637018886/https://Apodcast.com https://www.youtube.com/apodcasthttps://facebook.com/apodcastshow https://www.facebook.com/groups/2266073637018886/https://twitter.com/Apodcasta https://www.instagram.com/adrianwsinclair https://pinterest.com/apodcasta 

This talk was given to a monastic audience on a day of mindfulness closed due to coronavirus. Guided meditation from Joanna Macy’s “World as Lover, World as Self”.

In this episode I chat with a friend who works in the mental health industry. This friend has asked that he remain anonymous and instead be called “Charles” due to the nature of our conversation. Here, Charles talks about his own history with mental health, including a childhood trauma that eventually led him to an opiate addiction. We discuss the 12-step program, meditation and psychedelics, and how they helped him recover. We also talk about the uglier side of the mental health industry and how some treatment centers really don't have the patient's best interests at heart. He openly discusses tactics used by these treatment centers to broker patients and scam insurance companies, all to make a quick buck. Charles also spends some time sharing his thoughts on diagnosing children. This episode is recommended for anyone who is, has, or is considering finding help for their mental health. I would also recommend this episode for anyone who has a general interest in the mental health industry and cares to learn some specifics about what is going wrong with it. Finally, this episode is a worthwhile listen for those who enjoy stories of people overcoming their personal struggles to then go on and help others.Mentioned in this episode:“Dharma Punx” by Noah Levine: https://www.amazon.com/Dharma-Punx-Noah-Levine/dp/0060008954Thich Nhat Hanh's Deer Park Monastery in Escondido: https://deerparkmonastery.org/Podcast 006 w/ Jay Wick: http://theewpodcast.com/podcast-006-jay-wick-and-addiction/theEWpodcast: http://theewpodcast.com

For the Fifth International Buddhist Conference in May 2008, the Venerable Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh was invited to offer the opening keynote address. The event took place at the National Convention Center, Hanoi, Vietnam with the theme Buddhist Contribution to Building a Just, Democratic and Civilized Society. Hosted by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and co-organized by International Organizing Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and National Coordinating Committee for the United Nations Day of Vesak. The date is May 13, 2008 and both audio and video are available below. The talk is 53-minutes.  Promoting Peace Practicing Buddhism is the art of being peace, the art of promoting peace, in the society and in the world. We all should learn this art. We all have elements of war in our body. Practicing Buddhism is recognizing these elements so that we can then transform these elements. In the Sutra on Mindful Breathing, the Buddha provided us the practice to release the tension in our body. It only takes a few minutes. If we can release the tension in our body, then our body can learn to heal itself. When we make peace body, we can begin to make peace with our feelings and emotions. Do you know how to recognize your emotions? This is the art of making peace with ourselves. Our body, and our feelings and emotions. The Buddha also taught in this sutra how to recognize and transform our mental formations. The Buddhist practice means going home to oneself. To restore peace. How does this work in the family setting? Or in the school setting? Why is it important for parents and teachers to learn this art of being peace?  Deep Listening and Loving Speech During our time teaching in the west, we have also taught listening with compassion and using loving speech to restore communication. In Plum Village, we have practiced this intentionally with groups in conflict - Israelis and Palestinians. What is outlined above is used to illustrate practical application with these groups. In Mahayana Buddhism, we have the Bodhissatva Avalokiteshvara - the bodhissatva of compassion. They do this practice in order to suffer less.  Right View is the view of dependent co-arising, no-self, interbeing. Practitioners should always remember to maintain this right view in their daily life. How does this look between a father and a son? We learn that suffering is not an individual matter. Everything this is linked to everything else. To protect other species on earth, and the earth itself, is to protect ourselves. This is the insight of interbeing.  The Five Mindfulness Trainings Thay reminds of Unesco’s Manifesto 2000 which Thay helped to create with several Nobel Peace Prize laureates. There are six points and has been signed by 75-million people. This arose from the teachings of Buddhism and are very similar to the Five Mindfulness Trainings. If we practice these, we will have peace in ourselves and in the world. Just signing is not enough; we need to put it into practice. This is why we recommend forming ourselves into communities - in our families, schools, workplace, and within governments. These can all become a sangha and bring these six points (and Five Mindfulness Trainings) into practice.  The practice of deep ecology, mindful consumption and the Five Mindfulness Trainings. The trainings also teach us not to exploit people or the earth. We have been talking a lot about peace, but we have not done enough for the cause of peace. Whatever we can do in terms of thinking, speech, and action could be considered as an offering to the Lord Budhha. As an example, we learn how Deer Park Monastery in California is using solar energy and having car free days. Reducing consumption, learning to live more simply, and to have more time to take care of oneself and our beloved ones is very crucial and is the way of peace.  Living happily in the present moment. And taking care of the present moment is taking care of the future.