Meditate With Me

10/27/2024

WE ARE ONE

…when we place our hand on the trunk of a tree, we can feel the breath of the earth through each grain of wood. The rings carved into the trunk are marks of sun and rain, just as our fingerprints carry the silent stories of our lives. Each ring, each line of a fingerprint, is proof of a journey.

Between us and the tree, there is no distance. In our breath, there is the scent of deep forests; in the heartbeat of the tree, there is the rhythm of the human heart. We live, the tree lives, and together, we write the story of the universe—without beginning, without end.

“We are one” is not only an understanding but a moment-to-moment experience. It’s when we look at the rings of wood and see ourselves, when a breeze brushes our cheek and we know we belong to each other. In this connection, we find our deepest self, complete and whole within the earth, the sky, and each other.

- Thich Tam Nguyen

10/26/2024

Meditation is a Path to See the Truth

Meditation isn’t just about calming down or feeling peaceful; it’s a journey to truly see and understand the nature of our minds and the world around us.

🌱 Seeing Clearly

Meditation teaches us to observe our thoughts without judging them. This simple act reveals that emotions, whether good or bad, are temporary. We learn to let go, understanding that everything changes and flows.

🧘 Meeting Ourselves Honestly

In stillness, we meet our true selves. Meditation brings up our hidden fears and desires, helping us accept who we are without needing validation from outside.

🌄 Letting Go of Illusions

Meditation peels away layers of beliefs and judgments we’ve collected. We realize that many of our thoughts are not absolute truths but learned responses. As we let go, we move closer to genuine understanding.

😊 Understanding True Happiness and Suffering

True happiness is a calm mind, not something outside us. Suffering comes from our attachment to things that don’t last. Meditation helps us discover a deep happiness, untouched by external ups and downs.

✨ Living in Truth

Once we see the truth, life becomes simpler. We no longer chase after things or let negative feelings control us. We live each moment with clarity, peace, and awareness.

🙏 Meditation is a journey back to our true selves, helping us live with honesty and kindness. Embrace this path, and life will become lighter, clearer, and more meaningful.

10/21/2024

Walking meditation is not just about walking, but about returning to yourself and feeling life in every step. When you walk mindfully, you are no longer pulled by thoughts of the future or past. Every step is a chance to be fully alive in the present moment.

In walking meditation, you are not just walking, but deeply connecting with your breath and the earth. Each step is a reminder that you are alive, right here, right now. No anxiety, no rush—just you, your breath, and the ground beneath you. Peace comes from knowing there is nowhere to go, nothing to achieve, only to live and feel.

As Thich Tam Nguyen said, “Every step forward each day is a step backward for life. Don’t wait until the last step to realize that you have wasted a hundred years.” Walking meditation reminds us to not wait until the end to appreciate our journey.

Through walking meditation, you realize life is not a race but a series of steps, each with its own meaning. Each step becomes sacred, not a means to reach a destination but the destination itself. Living in the present is about enjoying each moment and each step we take.

Walking meditation teaches us that peace is not something ahead to chase; it’s already here, right now. To cherish each step is to cherish life itself, to be true to ourselves and to everything happening around us.

10/21/2024

Mind free, life at ease.
- Thich Tam Nguyen -

09/23/2024

08/22/2024

…the strength is not in your hands, but in your heart, a heart that does not harm others.(Thich Tam Nguyen)

10/11/2023

🌅🙏 REGISTRATION ANNOUNCEMENT
🌟 WINTER FAMILY RETREAT at HAPPY MONASTERY
Theme: SOULMATE
"Nurturing bonds - Nurturing soul"

Dear friends,

We often search for a spiritual anchor, a companion to share our deepest emotions. Yet, in this quest, we sometimes forget that the perceived vast distance between us and our family is merely a step away, a hug, or a knowing glance.

⁉️ Why do we venture to the ends of the earth when the companionship we seek might just be a step, a glance, or a smile away from our loved ones nearby?

Perhaps the hustle and bustle of life have blurred our inner vision, making us forget the value of moments spent together.

🫶With the desire for each of us to rediscover and once again embrace the love of our dear ones, the Family Retreat themed "Soulmate" at Happy Monastery is not just a retreat, but a journey back. Back to oneself, to the family, to untold memories, and unexpressed feelings.

💌 We invite you to embark on this journey with us, to rediscover and share the most sacred values of humanity: kinship, understanding, and sharing. Let's practice nurturing the mind and opening our hearts to the world around, especially to our loved ones.

WINTER FAMILY RETREAT - Theme: SOULMATE

📅 Duration of the retreat: 12/29/2023 - 1/1/2024
📍 Location: Happy Monastery, 4101 S Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34231, USA.

🔥 SPECIAL EXPERIENCES:

🧘‍♂️ Meditation sessions - Nurturing the mind.
📖 Listening to Dharma talks - Nurturing bonds, Connecting body & mind.
🤝 Mindfulness games - Reflecting heart & soul.
🌅 Watching sunrise and sunset at Sarasota beach - Returning to the mystic nature.
🙏 Grand Buddha's Enlightenment Ceremony - Welcoming an awakened new year.

📞 Contact us now at: (941) 941 - 0941 or email: happymonastery@gmail.com

Don't miss this unique opportunity to nurture bonds and connect body & mind!

THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 23, 2023

🔗 Register now at the link: https://forms.gle/ocTgSQ1wZMMGH91w5

Please share this information with friends and family for a shared experience! 🌟🌟🌟

❤️

10/07/2023

...people often know a lot about others but understand very little about themselves.

Every day, we invest time and energy in pursuing external matters, such as other people's affairs, current events, social relationships, while neglecting to explore our inner selves.

Lack of self-awareness can lead to many negative consequences. We easily make mistakes in making important life decisions, fail to recognize our abilities and limitations, and even feel unhappy or dissatisfied with our current lives.

However, when we take the time to understand ourselves, we have the opportunity to discover new aspects and hidden potential within ourselves. This can start by asking profound questions about our values, life goals, and what truly matters to us.

We can also nurture this understanding through methods like meditation, writing, or engaging in self-development courses, taking an active role in understanding ourselves.

Understanding our inner selves is the key to uncovering and developing positive qualities, while creating the life we should live.

Those who have a deep understanding of their inner selves often don't need to rely on external factors to feel content and achieve prosperity in life, as they always find within themselves the qualities of inner peace and contentment.

(Thich Tam Nguyen - on the way to Minnesota)

10/04/2023

...not everything is dark; it's just that you need to adjust your perspective. Misguided views can create an illusion of misery in your mind.

- Thich Tam Nguyen -

09/29/2023

...we don't have to run away from the world to find peace. We can accept the world as it is and still find quiet moments. Peace isn't just about having no problems; it's about staying calm during them.

So, live as though today is a gift — not just a given right, but a chance to find that elusive peace. Dive deep within, connect with the roots of your soul, and remember that amidst the hustle and bustle, there lies an oasis of calm. It is in this acceptance that one realizes: peace is not a distant dream, but a choice one makes every waking moment.

09/28/2023

"Being friends with yourself" is not just a saying but a journey to understand yourself better. We humans are complex with layers of feelings, thoughts, desires, and past experiences. Sometimes, we don't truly know what we want, how we feel, or why we react a certain way.

To be "friends" with yourself, follow these steps:

1. Look at yourself: Spend time thinking about who you are, what you like, what you don't, your dreams, hopes, and fears.

2. Accept yourself: Everyone has flaws. It's important to recognize and accept them, without being too hard on yourself.

3. Forgive yourself: Sometimes, we are our harshest critics. Learn to forgive yourself when you make mistakes and try to make them right.

4. Love yourself: Loving yourself is not just taking care of your body but also your mind. Reading, meditating, exercising, and spending time on hobbies can help increase self-love.

5. Talk to yourself: Keep a diary and write down your daily thoughts and feelings. This helps you understand yourself and how you interact with the world.

6. Learn from experiences: Every experience, good or bad, teaches us something. Look back, analyze, and learn from them.

7. Seek support: Sometimes, talking to a friend, a counselor, or a support group can help you get closer to understanding and being friends with yourself.

Lastly, remember that being friends with yourself is a journey, not a destination. Be patient and kind to yourself, and you'll find yourself feeling closer and more comfortable with who you are.

09/26/2023

...with the mind unbound, the future knows no bounds.
- Thich Tam Nguyen -