I mourn for Thích Nhât Hanh; he is nicknamed the father of mindfulness, and he had many other labels and names attributed to him over the years, some good, some bad. No matter what others tried to say or do to him, though, he kept pushing for world peace. Shunned from his home country of Vietnam for decades, he persisted on a pacifistic path.
When life hands you plums, do not pummel others.
As I explore many facets and aspects of Buddhism, I feel a strong attachment to Engaged Buddhism, mindful, hands-on activism. Based on what I know, I do not think Thích Nhât Hanh wants us to mourn him. Instead, I think it is better to remember him by living life according to his teachings; make your existence a peaceful example of his edification.
Education breeds confidence.
Confidence breeds hope.
Hope breeds peace.
-Confucius
How often do we think about monks as being closed off from the world within their monasteries? That classic imagery is why I prefer the philosophy of Engaged Buddhism. Thích Nhât Hanh established this branch of Buddhism as a more aware approach to advocate for admirable actions and augment affirmative advancements in social care. He wants to reinforce proactive involvement in improving the world for all living beings.
Martin Luther King, Jr. nominated Thích Nhât Hanh for the 1967 Nobel Peace Prize. Within that nomination, MLK, Jr. wrote, “his ideas for peace, if applied, would build a monument to ecumenism, to world brotherhood, to humanity.” His ideas and teachings on mindfulness paved the way for how modern science approaches and practices it. His education enabled him to confidently convey esoteric wisdom in a format that many of us can now hopefully learn from and appreciate; his peace empowers our peaceful potential.
Do not confuse peace of mind with spaced-out insensitivity.
A truly peaceful mind is very sensitive, very aware.
-Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama
Being very sensitive and very aware is not always peaceful if you are not ready to handle that level of intense input from your surroundings. In fact, it can be very overwhelming when caught off guard by and unprepared for such a surprising discovery of sensations. That is why it is crucial and important to cultivate and implement a core set of healthy and peaceful habits and values or virtues. At present, how prepared do you feel in your lane? Are you ready to navigate around surprises waiting up ahead? Are you happy now?
True happiness comes from a sense of inner peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through the cultivation of altruism, love, and compassion and the elimination of ignorance, selfishness, and greed.
-Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama
Identify and evolve your true habits and values.
Learn, live, and love virtuously.
Eradicate ego.
I seemingly-randomly stumbled upon this final quote this morning when doing some light reading, and it shook me to my core because it is one of the more recent focuses in my life. At yoga yesterday, the teacher was even speaking about our different bodies or minds. She detailed how we all house a positive mindset, a negative mindset, and a neutral one. Embracing emotional control ensures an enduring inner peace; that is one of my goals. I find it enlivening, yet I must evaluate and even out my excitement for it.
Many people think excitement is happiness… but when you are excited, you are not peaceful.
True happiness is based on peace.
-Thích Nhât Hanh
With over one hundred publications to his name, Thích Nhât Hanh left behind plenty of his wisdom to reference for many years. He peacefully dedicated his life to everyone.
Find your balance, then build your peace, piece by piece.
Improve your parts until you depart.
Maybe it is wise. Maybe it is dumb.
Time will tell.