The past is gone, the future is not yet here, and if we do not go back to ourselves in the present moment, we cannot be in touch with life. -Thich Nhat Hanh "We gauge the greatness of spiritual teachers by the depth, breadth, and impact of their teachings, and by the example their lives set for us. By all these measures, Thich Nhat Hanh is one of the leading spiritual masters [...]
Growing Together
Thich Nhat Hanh shows us how we can use loving relationships to cultivate the seeds of buddhahood inside us. To commit to another person is to embark on a very adventurous journey. You must be very wise and very patient to keep your love alive so it will last for a long time. The first year of a committed relationship can already reveal how difficult it is. When you first [...]
The Miracle of Everyday Mindfulness
When we practice mindfulness in our daily lives, says Thich Nhat Hanh, we open to the wonders of life and allow the world to heal and nourish us. Everyone has the seed of suffering inside. Sometimes it slumbers in the depths of our consciousness and sometimes it manifests as a very noticeable energy. When suffering manifests, it’s difficult to feel joy or happiness. The [...]
Readers say “Thank You, Thich Nhat Hanh” with their poems
For Lion's Roar's new collector's edition, Thich Nhat Hanh, we asked readers and fans to share their stories of appreciation for the Vietnamese Zen teacher and founder of Engaged Buddhism. You'll find those stories collected in the publication under the title "Thank You, Thay." (Thay being a name Thich Nhat Hanh's students affectionately call him.) Unsurprisingly, there were [...]
A New Look at the Heart Sutra, from Thich Nhat Hanh and Norman Fischer
Zen teacher Norman Fischer looks at the famed Heart Sutra and explains why compassion and emptiness go hand in hand. Plus, Thich Nhat Hanh offers his new translation of the Heart Sutra, which teaches the transcendent wisdom that frees us from fear, wrong perceptions, and [...]
Thich Nhat Hanh on The Practice of Mindfulness
"Breathing in, I know that I am breathing in." It is such a simple practice, but it can transform your life. The great meditation master Thich Nhat Hanh teaches five mindfulness exercises to help you live with happiness and joy. Our true home is not in the past. Our true home is not in the future. Our true home is in the here and the now. Life is available only in the here [...]
The Roots of War
There is a deep malaise in our society. We have to acknowledge this, says Thich Nhat Hanh in this classic piece from 1994 — especially if we want to transform it. Many of us are not healthy within, and yet we continue to look for things that only harm us more. We come home from work exhausted, and we do not know how to relax. We feel a kind of vacuum in ourselves, so we [...]
In the Pure Land of the Present Moment
A discourse by the Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, as told by his disciple Sister Dang Nghiem. Illustration by Tomi Um. This is what I heard. Thich Nhat Hanh came to Hollywood to announce that one of his books would be made into a movie. At that time, Thay had with him a number of monastic disciples—monks and nuns from Deer Park Monastery and Plum Village—a number of lay [...]
A Buddhist Cop’s Approach to Justice
Cheri Maples, a student of Thich Nhat Hanh and former police officer, addresses the U.S.'s crisis in policing and how a Buddhist outlook could help foster more positive relations between citizens and police. A cop meets Thich Nhat Hanh I became serious about developing a consistent mindfulness practice when I attended my first retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh (known [...]
How to Be a Bodhisattva
It may seem like an unattainable ideal, but you can start right now as a bodhisattva-in-training. All you need is the aspiration to put others first and some inspiration from helpful guides like the Buddhist teachers found here. Everyone Is Your Guest Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche on your life as a future bodhisattva Many Mahayana scriptures speak of inviting all sentient [...]