Tag Archives: #thich nhat hanh

Meditation

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“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.”
~Thich Nhat Hang~

In the midst of the bombardment of daily life, take time to just be – fully present, patient, easy, aware. Periodically quiet the mind, allow yourself to listen and bring stillness into your experience. Meditation, no matter how you choose to approach it, is an important part of staying balanced. There is a sanctuary within you where you can commune with the Divine.

Stillness and anxiety cannot coexist in the same space, nor can fear and love or hatred and peace. Every cell of your being is filled with Divine Intelligence and, in conscious awareness, the Universe responds. All that you seek is already within you.

Many people say that they don’t know how to meditate or feel that they can’t stop thinking. This is merely a product of the ego that sabotages your efforts before you begin. Just sit and be. Listen to the sounds you hear without identifying or categorizing. Notice the beat of your heart, subtle noises around the house or outside, and take one conscious breath… then another and another.

The Power of Presence

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“True freedom is when all the stories, all the insights, all the realizations, concepts, beliefs and positions dissolve. What remains is what you are; a vast, conscious, luminous space simply resting in itself, not knowing a thing, at the point where all things are possible.”
~Enza Vita~

Presence is achieved by going inward. The ego disappears, the roles and life situations become transparent and only empowered silence remains. When you begin to realize that you are much more than the stories of the mind, you have planted the seeds of your own spiritual maturity.

You can bring a powerful sense of peace and well-being to this moment. Life presents opportunities to respond to darkness with light, to show kindness to those who seem to reject it the most and to experience the infinite Presence of the Now.

Ultimately, you create your own experiences, have your own insights and live a unique journey.  No matter how you choose to connect to the Divine, do it consistently. Let your life be a walking meditation with the realization that awareness is your true nature. As you drop old patterns and limiting beliefs, you are left only with the infinite mystery of your being.

Peaceful Moments

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“When our body, mind and soul are working in balance, we learn to handle any situation without internal or external stress. We learn to live a peaceful life.”
~Purvi Raniga~
In every moment you have a choice: reject or accept. To experience inner peace we must consciously choose to respond to life in a way that is mindful and engaged, yet filled with compassionate detachment. One who walks through the world with mastery and balance brings the gift of higher perception to those who are touched by their presence.
Create peaceful moments in your experience. Periodically enter the gap of ‘no mind’ and cultivate a sacred connection to the Divine that will keep you aligned with the most beautiful aspects of who you are. Stillness holds infinite potential and creates a space where transformation is possible.
Kindness is a way of being. Expanding consciousness calls upon us to purposely see the sacred in all things and all people, even those who cannot yet see it in themselves – especially those who cannot see it within themselves. And therein lies our work: To be the light in a world that is often beset by darkness and a living, thriving example of awareness in motion.

Peace Work

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“If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.”
~Thich Nhat Hanh~

As you silently do your work you emit ripples of energy that flow outward. Changes are left in your wake that you may never see. A kind word, a compassionate ear or a soothing touch can be extraordinarily transformative.

Life provides various opportunities to observe your level of consciousness in the world of form. Nothing is more important than how you are choosing to experience this moment. Self awareness will help you to be mindful rather than reactive. What you consistently do becomes a natural aspect of who you are.

When your insights, inner dialog and actions are in harmony you’ll notice that every experience leads you to be more awake. Everything is about expansion. We learn to drop limiting perception and purposely enter the realm of Oneness.

What we do matters. Each of us has the opportunity to be an example of connectedness and love. Live authentically, remember to laugh at yourself and let your life be your message.

Living a Sacred Life

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“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”
~Thich Nhat Hanh~
Every experience leaves us transformed. Consider the energy you leave behind when you interact with another as well as what you might learn or draw from them. The richness of textures and delight should spice our lives with a unique imprint and typically, less is more. The nuances of our playtime on this planet contribute to the enlightenment of us all.
Be gentle in your approach. As we become more aware, we discover the true power that resides in kindness and service. We no longer need to utilize force to make an impression; instead, life becomes more of a dance of discovery and a sharing of energy. No matter where you are, you can consciously participate in life’s wonder and mystery.

Experiences awaken our ability to discover the multi-layered facets of existence. Each is a stepping stone to creating a joyful, empowered life. This movement of awareness begins with gratitude and gentleness. All that you see is a spark of the Divine. Recognizing and honoring the sacredness of all life awakens the sacredness within you.

The Clouds of Emotion

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“Let’s build a happy, little cloud that floats around in the sky.”
~Bob Ross~

Like clouds, emotions are mutable. Sometimes light and wispy, sometimes dark and full of the promise of rain, but always moving endlessly on the air current. You can use conscious breathing as a way of being an active participant in moving the clouds along. When emotions arise, be observant. They always show truths that lie beneath the surface and then you can actively work with them.

While it’s important to feel your emotions fully, it’s equally important to remember that they are temporary. The saying “This too shall pass” is true in every circumstance, whether joyful or challenging. In every moment you have an opportunity to cultivate a greater understanding of yourself and the world you create around you. See yourself as a master in the process of awakening.

For me, the clouds in the sky are a beautiful, ever-evolving work of art. Many times throughout the day I just stop to appreciate the beauty and watch the changes. The moment of stillness is a simple way to honor the sacredness of creation that is always in motion.

 

Embrace Your Uniqueness

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 “To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.”
~Thich Nhat Hanh~
See if you can drop the need to have any defining labels in your experience. The ego seeks to belong and therefore, will often identify strongly with a particular ideology, culture, political party, religion, or role. This is an act of separation and creates division.
Older souls create a unique path. Yes, we don’t fit in and are often misunderstood, but that’s ok. The awakening spirit learns how to see beyond the identifiers and roles to the Oneness of which we are all a part.
In a world beset with conflict you have an opportunity to be a source of peace, a frequency holder who can remain calm in the face of chaos. Embrace your uniqueness, see all life as sacred, utilize love instead of judgment… not the easiest path to be sure, but one that will uplift your soul and create something beautiful in the world.
Let’s bring about a radical transformation of the mind and find ways of living differently. You are a teacher, you are the student and you are love in human form.

A Work in Progress…

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Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.
~Thich Nhat Hanh~

We walk this amazing journey of love and discovery. The threads that connect us are innumerable, constantly weaving new patterns and bringing new perspectives to light. Ultimately, we learn incredible things from one another while fumbling our way toward ecstasy.

See your awakening as a work in progress and try to create as many spaces of Presence as you can throughout your day. The challenges that we face often bring us painful awareness of old wounds or beliefs that have created the illusion of separation; however, with mindful intent, those challenges can be transformed into empowerment and insight.

You’ll know that any self-karmas are healed when there is no emotional charge around them. You may find yourself recounting the tribulations of the past, seeing them only as stepping stones to your current state of consciousness, and indeed that is the truth of your sojourn here in time and space.

When in doubt, choose joy. Find something, no matter how small or insignificant, and let it bring a smile to your face. With that smile in place, close your eyes and breathe it in. This is the breath of awareness and it will help you to create a foundation of peace in your daily experience.

Setting the Tone

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“Waking up this morning, I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours are before me. I vow to live fully in each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.”
~Thich Nhat Hanh~

Greet the day with joyful expectation and consciously set an intention of exploring the world with a open heart. When we choose to approach the present moment with the innocence and openness of a child, miracles begin to unfold. By releasing attachment to the ‘shoulds’ and embracing what is, we allow a new perception to unfold.

You are the co-creator of your experience. Observe your self-talk and adjust when necessary. You can choose to see your life as an adventure in time and space. Become a loving witness to the infinite ways in which the Universe speaks to you. When you really pay attention, everything contains a message meant to guide your unique path of transformation.

The new friendships, experiences, ideas and circumstances you encounter will break you free from any limiting routines you may have created. These compelling energies will awaken the aspects of yourself that are ready to shine and bring them to the surface.