22/01/2022
🙏🏽
[In Loving Memories of Thich Nhat Hanh]
I will always remember the day I saw Thay’s book, Anger, on the shelf of Page One, feeling drawn to it and began my journey of studying mindfulness with him.
It was one of the lowest points in my life, I just graduated from LSE but couldn’t get into PCLL. I was confused, and well, angry, and not sure what to do with my life.
Turned out, I have been able to do a lot in my life. And learning about mindfulness from that point onwards was a crucial catalyst.
When you come back to where you are, when you arrive in the moment, you are on the path to wherever life leads you to.
Beginning from 2010, I was lucky to have participated in 3 Plum Village’s retreats in France, two of them Thay was still residing in there. And having him answered one of my then burning questions. Those retreats transformed my life. He taught in his prolific writings, but he also taught, simply, with his presence, reminding us that, each moment is a sweet present.
I am one of the most critical reader / student that you ever come to know, I question every single teaching of every single teacher that I am drawn to - I want to make sure that the teaching does not stem from lack or insecurity, but from a place of love. Yet in my years of studying Thay’s works, whether in writing, in lectures - I never sense a single ounce of ego, his entire being consists of nothing but loving kindness, mindfulness and compassion. His worked formed the foundation of my years of practice.
He had a stroke years back, but with mindfulness, he was able to outlived many doctors’ predictions. He was back home in Vietnam surrounded by his closest disciples enjoying last days of his life.
His life works transformed thousands if not millions of people’s lives. His work continues to live on in his books, videos and his students’ practices.
In loving memories of Thay, I invite you to practice mindfulness in your every life. To find that space between thoughts, the space between trigger and reaction.