A Gift for Thay

Yesterday, 11th October 2020, was Thich Nhat Hanh's 94th birthday, or continuation. On the Plum Village website we were invited to share a gift for Thay, something about how his teachings have touched our hearts. Here is mine! 

Dear Thay, dear Beloved Community,

I want to share my story about how Thay’s teachings are reaching a wider audience in a Sangha not based in the Plum Village tradition. A group of friends learned to meditate in a different tradition and practised together for many years, and after some time we felt restricted by the dogmatic approach. One friend (D) met a guru (Swami ji) in India and chose to follow his teachings. Concurrently I was starting Ph.D. research in Thay’s teachings of Mindfulness and Engaged Buddhism. This group of friends meets together, calling ourselves SoS - Silence on Sundays, meeting for communal meditation and silence. As we are geographically spread we organise retreats and whilst the main focus is Swami ji’s teachings, Thay’s teachings fit in so beautifully. D in particular, and now everyone else, has a great love of and respect for Thay’s teachings. 

We have introduced mindful walking, breathing and eating. When we consider readings from Swami ji I bring in Thay’s perspective, which is exactly the same only different words. These ongoing retreats (we have been meeting together for 10 years) enable me to deepen my understanding of Thay’s teachings. There is no conflict from the apparently different approaches, we meet together in Oneness and clearly see the interbeing aspect in words of truth, whether they appear to come through Swami ji or Thay. 

When researching my Ph.D. I shared my research on the retreats and everyone was very supportive and helpful. We looked at the 5 Mindfulness Trainings together, and it was useful for me to hear how they are received by people to whom they are not familiar. We watched the film Walk With Me together, and I was delighted to be able to share with them my love of Plum Village, and what it is like to go on retreat there. 

We currently meet on zoom every week and for many of us this constant connection has kept us sane and happy throughout lockdown and beyond. 

I share with you my favourite phrase from Swami ji,

“It is such a joy that whilst seeking in the world of forms, I found you sitting in my own heart”. 

This is where I found Thay, initially through his books, and then on retreats at Plum Village. When I first saw Thay in 2009, walking into the meditation hall to deliver a Dharma talk I knew he was already in my heart. I knew I wanted to practise in this tradition (I had come on my first retreat as a researcher!) and to practise Thay’s wonderful teachings. In 2014 I received the transmission of the 14 Mindfulness Trainings in Plum Village from Sr Chang Khong. Now I am fortunate to teach the Be Calm Be Happy mindfulness course based in Thay’s teachings. Each week I connect deeply with Thay and share my love of the Plum Village tradition with the participants. 

I have learnt so much from Thay and Plum Village, and continue to do so. When I stop and breathe mindfully, when I smile at an autumn leaf, the bright moon, when I walk mindfully in my garden I know I am Thay’s continuation. I write poems based in mindfulness and I know they come from Oneness, they are not my words, they come through me and I pass them on, out into the world.  

A deep bow of gratitude to Thay, and to your journey bringing you west so we were able to meet. A deep bow of love from all in the SoS Family. 

Lauri, True Mountain of Non-fear.