Remembering Thich Nhat Hanh

Who was Thich Nhat Hanh?

“Thich Nhat Hanh was a Vietnamese Thiền Buddhist monk, peace activist, prolific author, poet, teacher,and founder of the Plum Village Tradition. Historically, he is recognized as the main inspiration for engaged Buddhism. Known as the "Father of Mindfulness", Thich Nhất Hạnh was a major influence on Western practices of Buddhism.”

“Thich Nhat Hanh’s pioneering teachings on mindfulness, “interbeing” and engaged ethics have opened new ways forward for meditators, peace-makers, activists, educators, business people and politicians around the world.”

To remember and honor the legacy of Thich Nhat Hanh, try practicing a few of his teachings below to help cultivate greater peace, inspiration, and empowerment.

Some key teachings from Thich Nhat Hanh:

1. Mindfulness

Thich Nhat Hanh found new ways to teach the art of mindful breathing and mindful walking as the foundation of meditation. He created simple practices like mindful teeth-brushing, mindful dishwashing and “tangerine meditation”.

Try this:

-Practice Mindful Breathing during your daily activities

-Practice Mindful Walking during your daily activities

-Incorporate Mindfulness into your daily activities to become aware of your thoughts, emotions, and actions.

2. Ecology

“We cannot separate human beings from the environment. The environment is in human beings and human beings are part of the environment”

Try this:

-Treat your environment like you would treat a sacred object.

-Practicing Recycling

-Practice expressing Gratitude for nature

-Practice Environmental Activism (if you choose)

-Reduce Waste

3. Peace

Thich Nhat Hanh teaches that it is only by cultivating peace in our own body and mind, releasing tension, calming strong emotions, re-evaluating our perceptions, and making peace with our family members and colleagues, that we will be able to create peace in our society, our nation and in the world

Try this:

-Practice a Self-Care routine everyday that promotes peace, relaxation, and empowerment.

-Practice releasing any mind-body tension through mind-body exercises such as: yoga, meditation, breathwork, stretching, movement, and/or journaling.

-Embody an attitude of Peacefulness during times of challenge and/or conflict.

-Practice compassionate actions that promote peace and love in your local and/or online community.

4. Business

Thich Nhat Hanh has encouraged business leaders to cultivate qualities of clarity, compassion and courage in their leadership, and to transform their companies into real communities. He invites leaders to create opportunities to listen deeply to employees, to hear both their suffering and aspirations.

Try this:

-Practice Active Listening when interacting with clients, employees, and/or co-workers to truly understand and gain clarity about what is being said.

-Practice compassionate actions within your business and/or workplace by providing more value to your clients (ex. Discounts, service customization, thank you notes, expressing gratitude, etc)

-Practice Compassionate Team Meetings in order to hear your employees or clients’ sufferings and/or aspirations.

-Distribute performance feedback surveys to your clients to gain more clarity about your strengths, areas for improvement, and overall business performance.

5. Kindness Can Change the World

“The source of love is deep in us and we can help others realize a lot of happiness. One word, one action, one thought can reduce another person’s suffering and bring that person joy.”

Try this:

-Practice self-kindness by practicing self-care. When you are kind with yourself, you will be able to share that same kindness with others.

-Practice sharing positive and inspiring words with someone daily

-Practice performing random acts of kindness for your family, friends, co-workers, and/or strangers daily and/or weekly.

-Practice smiling whenever you make eye contact with someone to express happiness, joy, and connection.

6. Conscious Love, A Love Based on Freedom

Loving someone means giving them attention and helping them blossom into the most beautiful flower. The attention you give your loved ones must help them grow. Your affection should lead them to freedom.

Try this:

-Practice giving your family, friends, co-workers, and/or strangers mindful attention by practicing mindful listening, speaking, and acting.

-Practice expressing gratitude for your loved ones within their presence

-Practice encouraging people you love and their positive goals, dreams, and/or ideals.

-Practice the art of giving space in your relationships to allow for greater connection

-Practice accepting and acknowledging another person’s thoughts, feelings, and/or beliefs through active listening and mindful communication.

7. Be Aware of Other People’s Suffering

Sometimes, people can be in pain without you realizing it. Pain can be written on people’s faces, their actions, or can be felt in their voice. Be aware of this every day.

Try this:

-Practice observing people’s body language as you interact with them daily to understand what is subtly being communicated through the body.

-Practice listening to people’s words and reflecting on them after the conversation to gain a better understanding of what the person said.

-Practice sending someone positive thoughts, emotions, and/or blessings while you are interacting with them or afterwards.

-If you feel challenged or frustrated with someone, practice the mantra “Everyone Is Going Through Something”.

8. Deal with Your Fears

“Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we’re okay. Right now, today, we’re still alive, and our bodies are working marvelously. Our eyes can still see the beautiful sky. Our ears can still hear the voices of our loved ones.”

Try this:

-Practice studying what you fear by writing the fear down and practicing the 5 Why’s Technique. Practice asking WHY 5x until you identify the root of the fear, to then take steps to overcome it.

-Practice mindfulness practices like yoga, meditation, mantras, and/or creative visualization to overcome the fear.

-Practice focusing on the present moment if you’re experiencing fear, to avoid projecting negative future outcomes within your imagination.

Sources:

1-The Teachings of Master Thich Nhat Hanh - Exploring your mind

2-Key Teachings | Plum Village