this is my contribution to jennifer mannion’s heroes of healing project. it’s a project where bloggers write about people who put helping others ahead of whatever might come in the way. the people on this list have gone against the norm and had to put mainstream thinking aside to get their message across. they have all faced criticism, some of them persecution but it did not stop them from pursuing their important work because they knew they were helping many in the process.
my contribution is about thich nhat hanh.
thich nhat hanh, a zen master and human rights activist, was born in vietnam in 1926. he became a monk at 16. in the throes of the vietnam war, he chose to combine contemplation and activism, thus helping in founding the movement of “engaged buddhism”. among other things, and despite opposition on the part of the vietnamese government, thich nhat hanh founded a buddhist university, a publishing house, and an influential peace activist magazine in vietnam. after visiting the U.S. and europe in 1966 on a peace mission, he was banned from returning to vietnam. he may have changed the course of U.S. history when he persuaded martin luther king, jr. to oppose the vietnam war publicly. later, thich nhat hanh led the buddhist delegation to the paris peace talks.
in 1982 he founded plum village, a buddhist community in exile in france, where he continues his work to alleviate suffering of refugees, boat people, political prisoners, and hungry families in vietnam and throughout the third world. in september 2001, shortly after the world trade center attacks, thich nhat hanh addressed the issues of non-violence and forgiveness in a memorable speech.
thich nhat hanh has published over 80 titles of poems, prose, and prayers. one of my favourites is the miracle of mindfulness
through mindfulness, we can learn to live in the present moment instead of in the past and in the future. dwelling in the present moment is the only way to truly develop peace, both in one’s self and in the world.
this is the central teaching of thich nhat hanh.
a video
this is part of a series of interviews with ram dass:what have i learned from thich nhat hanh?
i have learned so much from him. “the miracle of mindfulness” was the first buddhist book i ever bought. one of the things he talks about there is bringing mindfulness to washing the dishes. the image of lovingly washing a cup, with full attention, being aware of all that happens, has been one of my mental metaphors for zen buddhism ever since.
breathing in, the sensation of the cup’s shape and texture. breathing out, the light glinting off the running water. breathing in, the sounds of the dishes clinking against the sink. breathing out, the warmth of the water, juxtaposed against the air that feels cold on the exposed wet skin. breathing in, the smell of the dish soap. breathing out, compassion for my straying thoughts.
resources
- plum village
- list of zen centers in canada (you can search for centers with thich nhat hanh’s lineage)
- … and for the united states (note: that site hasn’t been updated in a while; you may have to google the individual centres to get their updated information)
- thich nhat hanh videos
- books by thich nhat hanh
image by pixiduc
(this post appeared in the amazing visions blog carnival)
Hi Isabella, Thank you so much for this informative and inspiring post about Thich Nhat Hahn. It makes me want to pursue learning about him more and shows me what a wonderful person and teacher he is. Thank you for contributing to this project! Love, Jenny
Jenny Mannion’s last blog post..Rachel Naomi Remen — Heroine of Healing
This is a great snapshot of what a giving life looks like. I had not heard of this man but I will certainly try to study him as much as possible. Thank you.
Damien’s last blog post..Focus on Three Things Today
i can’t tell you how much I needed this today. Thanks for the post. I’ve tweeted and shared it on fb.
Nancy’s last blog post..Why do people stay in job situations from hell?
hello everyone, and thanks for commenting!
really glad i was able to introduce some of you to this amazing man. the video about anger and social justice is very moving, and i’ve passed it on to quite a few people already.
and how lovely that this was meaningful to you, nancy. thank you.
Congratulations! Your post is now published at my Amazing Visions – Blog Carnival Edition 3. You can tell your friends and readers your post is featured at this address:
http://www.postcardsfromthefunnyfarm.com/amazing-visions-blog-carnival-edition-3/
Damien’s last blog post..Amazing Visions – Blog Carnival Edition 3
i too will be looking out for his poetry and messages~ a lovely informative and inspirational post
Char (Online Tutor/Academic Mentor)’s last blog post..‘The Day After’: Exam prep need not be a time of darkeness and despair
Really inspirational story, some things are just amazing like this. Great post.
Acai Berry’s last blog post..Freeze Dried Acai
Nice post, lifted me up after a hectic day at work. Thanks for such an inspiration.
This brought me inspiration. Thank you.
Anna Richard’s last blog post..Learned
It was wonderful to read your article about Thich Naht Hahn who has inspired so many. In your resources you list zen centers in canada. there is a more complete list of centres which practice in the tradition of Thich Naht Hahn
http://mindfulnessbell.org/international.htm
This was a marvelous post, simply inspiring. Dwelling in the present moment and not in the past is harder then it sounds, takes a lot of discipline and practice.
.-= ron goldstein´s last blog ..medical assistant training =-.
this article illustrate to the hope of people