“The Art of Living” by Thich Nhat Hanh

Although Thich Nhat Hanh died two years ago (22nd January, 2022), it is possible to argue that he is still very much alive. His philosophy and life-affirming perspective on how to live lives on in his many books, videos, and various retreats/centres around the world where students of his teachings continue to practise and disseminate his wisdom on embracing life with fearlessness, serenity, and joy.

“The Art of Living” is a perfect distillation of Thay’s abiding themes: peace in the present moment; interconnectedness; joy; letting go; peace in the present moment. To read anything by Thich Nhat Hanh and then put his philosophy into practice is like entering a refreshing river of clarity and contentment. Thay never preaches; instead, he shows the way for the receptive reader to embrace life with an open heart and realise the truth that every day is a fresh page in which we can write beautiful thoughts, speak wise words, and perform noble actions. A constant refrain is the idea of cultivating our spiritual dimension and to do this we need to be mindful of out being. As Thay so eloquently expresses, “our quality of being determines our quality of doing.” Our minds and bodies are inextricably connected. When our thoughts are grounded in rooted spirituality and joyful love, then so will our actions. This is an imperishable pearl of wisdom that we can apply throughout our lives.

In his chapter on “Impermanence”, Thay compares our minds to gardens, which is a beautiful metaphor, reminding us that we aren’t apart from nature, but part of it. Just as gardens need to be managed, so do our minds. It all depends on what seeds you water. Ultimately, it is our responsibility whether we will cultivate seeds of happiness or seeds of anger. Thich Nhat Hanh writes in such a gentle and non-objective manner, that the tone rather than being like a lecture (as it could so easily lapse into in a less accomplished writer) is instead one of care and encouragement. It doesn’t matter where you are on this precious journey that is life, you still have great powers within you, “what you grow is up to you.”

In a world riven with polarisation, discord, hatred, and bitterness, Thay’s message of peace, healthy communication, looking at life with unfeigned awe, and acting with balanced compassion for fellow humans and the Earth couldn’t be more timely. He reminds us that nothing we say or do is ever wasted, that everyone can live a full and wholehearted life, if you accept that nothing stays the same, you act out of intention, and you remain attentive to the positive energies you have the capacity to radiate with your loved ones and the world.

“The Art of Living” will leave you feeling renewed, refreshed, and rejuvenated – ready to love life with engaged vitality, awareness, and deeper insight than before.

“Your words can be beautiful gems, reaching across space and time to create mutual understanding and love.”

Flower

Loss
is inevitable
in life
but love
is the lifeboat
that will keep
the body
afloat.

Conscious

To stay awake
and absorb
the majesty
that surrounds us
is medicine
that touches
every aspect
of our lives.

It never ends.

Reflections on Russian Invasion of Ukraine

A truly dark chapter for Europe and the world with Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. To think this can happen in 2022, in a world of increasing globalisation and mutual empathy! What will the endgame be? Will Putin come to his senses and realise that there can be no winner here with his heinous acts? Will peace ever prevail as long as “unhealthy” nationalism and perverse extremist rhetoric run amok? Is mankind forever destined to live in a perpetual cycle of war and destruction?

In an nutshell, peace can never truly prevail until there is a wholehearted revolution in man’s consciousness and emotional regulation. This will happen again and again. All too easily, people are swayed by the specious lies that demagogues shout with incendiary passion. And the demagogues prey upon this vulnerability that lurks within the darker recesses of the human psyche with rapacious intent. Add to this other baser instincts such as: lust for money, unquenchable greed, unfettered envy and a false understanding of history, then you have a perfect cocktail of deadly despair.

It is only when we possess the requisite skills to take care of the darker aspects of our selves will we see our more positive aspects flourish. It is only when we step out of the bunker of fetid, bigoted thinking and absorb the torch of tolerance and togetherness, that openness of spirit shines a light upon, will we recognise our shared humanity. Perhaps, in these tenebrous days, when so much of the world feels on edge, we need to cultivate, more than ever, those civilised qualities that allow both humans and societies to prosper: love, compassion, liberty, interdependence, truth, reconciliation. In the end, it is only love and philosophy of the will, action and mind to practise good and perform joyful acts that will save us. Nothing more, nothing less.

Delight

Life, it’s a constant delight.
Travel beyond tattered thoughts,
relish the sacred sights.

Haiku

What amazes
are the daily miracles –
vibrations unleashed

Haiku

Luscious world
exuberance is the key
perceptions unveiled

Meditation on The Thames

 

 

World so bright and blithe this September morn,

Rich stillness reaches in the dazzling blue

Turning the soul to a crystal clear view;

Worries slip away in the stream unshorn

Hardly a creature woken from slumber,

The currents of life, flowing swiftly on

Sweeping the dust with a natural song.

Freeing the dazed heart from pockmarked blunder

Sweet pulse, that throbs in the shimmering scene;

A feast of delights that requires no meat

Or pleasures that thicken and make one mean.

Sifted sunshine brings cheer to forlorn feet

On the sinuous path that is serene

A draught of clear cheer leaches cold deceit.