0:00:01.739,0:00:03.516 (Half bell) 0:00:06.862,0:00:13.080 (Bell) 0:00:29.353,0:00:32.311 Dear Thay, dear community, 0:00:34.136,0:00:37.384 You spoke about[br]if we live in a toxic environment 0:00:37.544,0:00:41.184 where there is something we think[br]is bad for our soul or spirit 0:00:41.845,0:00:44.085 we should leave. 0:00:44.395,0:00:46.424 I live perhaps... 0:00:47.516,0:00:50.435 I live in Israel, in the West Bank. 0:00:53.104,0:00:57.152 In the ground, in everybody's mind,[br]my family's mind, my children's' mind 0:00:57.524,0:01:02.289 there is a lot of suffering,[br]a lot of anger, hostility, 0:01:02.830,0:01:06.342 a lot of racial memories[br]that Jewish people remember. 0:01:07.286,0:01:09.853 Things from thousands of years. 0:01:10.936,0:01:16.479 I have no idea how to take myself away[br]from a collective conscious, 0:01:16.608,0:01:18.561 from my children and my grandchildren,[br] 0:01:18.690,0:01:23.963 from my home, from a place that I feel[br]is not good for me. 0:01:25.575,0:01:27.401 My question is: 0:01:27.601,0:01:31.065 How can we remove[br]from a toxic environment 0:01:31.325,0:01:35.476 when in that environment we have children,[br]grandchildren, our friends are there, 0:01:35.640,0:01:38.417 our work is there,[br]our ancestors are there. 0:01:40.391,0:01:46.032 We can contribute to the work[br]of changing the environment. 0:01:50.510,0:01:56.232 We can also come together[br]and create a kind of island 0:01:58.663,0:02:03.300 that is safer and healthier 0:02:03.599,0:02:05.647 to protect ourselves 0:02:05.808,0:02:08.943 in the case that we cannot pull out. 0:02:11.074,0:02:13.816 In Plum Village in the past 0:02:13.957,0:02:18.152 we have sponsored many groups[br]of Palestinians and Israelis 0:02:18.322,0:02:20.531 to come and practice with us. 0:02:25.255,0:02:29.779 We have learned a lot from that. 0:02:32.438,0:02:36.162 Every time two groups came, 0:02:37.361,0:02:41.900 we noticed that they could not[br]look at each other, 0:02:43.091,0:02:47.057 because each group[br]has a lot of anger, fear, 0:02:48.312,0:02:50.627 and suspicion. 0:02:54.893,0:02:58.465 And it is not pleasant[br]to look at the other group. 0:02:59.009,0:03:03.770 Because you think that your suffering[br]has been created by the other group. 0:03:05.790,0:03:08.793 You are the only victim 0:03:09.242,0:03:13.358 and they are the ones[br]who cause your suffering. 0:03:13.968,0:03:16.621 That is the thinking,[br]that is the feeling. 0:03:16.751,0:03:19.118 A lot of anger and fear. 0:03:20.826,0:03:25.786 And suspicion. 0:03:30.634,0:03:36.335 So during the first week of the practice[br]we helped them, both groups, 0:03:36.517,0:03:40.970 -they didn't stay together in one place- 0:03:43.000,0:03:48.042 in the practice of mindful breathing,[br]mindful walking, to calm down, 0:03:50.170,0:03:55.431 and to learn how to look at[br]that suffering, that anger, that fear. 0:03:58.000,0:04:03.982 And the practice of touching[br]the wonders of life, the nature. 0:04:05.177,0:04:09.173 Because there are many of us,[br]coming from many countries, 0:04:09.608,0:04:13.976 and together we can create[br]an atmosphere of brotherhood, sisterhood, 0:04:14.961,0:04:18.464 which is very pleasant to be in. 0:04:18.841,0:04:24.141 During the first week both groups[br]profit from that kind of environment. 0:04:25.232,0:04:28.806 We eat together, we walk together, 0:04:29.399,0:04:34.527 we share together[br]our learning, our practice. 0:04:37.017,0:04:43.278 And the second week we begin[br]the practice of deep listening 0:04:43.468,0:04:45.759 and loving speech. 0:04:46.773,0:04:49.272 One of the two groups 0:04:50.094,0:04:53.163 is invited to speak. 0:04:53.927,0:04:57.824 They are encouraged to tell[br]everything in their hearts. 0:04:58.044,0:05:01.068 All kind of suffering[br]that they have gone through 0:05:01.234,0:05:03.562 on their side. 0:05:05.589,0:05:11.335 When the Palestinians speak,[br]then the Israelis just listen. 0:05:14.248,0:05:19.238 And you who speak, you are encouraged[br]to use the kind of language 0:05:20.119,0:05:24.714 that can help the other side[br]to understand. 0:05:25.468,0:05:30.940 If there is too much accusation,[br]blame and anger, 0:05:31.321,0:05:34.186 the other side will not be able[br]to listen to you. 0:05:34.377,0:05:38.244 So try to use a kind of language 0:05:38.713,0:05:43.565 that helps the other side[br]to understand the suffering on your side. 0:05:43.886,0:05:45.673 You must tell them. 0:05:46.424,0:05:53.804 Every kind of suffering that your children[br]and adults have gone through, 0:05:54.249,0:05:55.855 tell them everything. 0:05:56.004,0:05:59.174 But please do not accuse, do not blame, 0:05:59.312,0:06:02.518 do not be bitter. 0:06:05.959,0:06:08.018 And that will help them, 0:06:08.207,0:06:12.488 because the purpose of speaking is[br]to help the other side to understand. 0:06:12.804,0:06:16.599 Understand here means understand[br]the suffering of the other side. 0:06:18.881,0:06:22.263 On the other side who listens, 0:06:22.598,0:06:25.719 we recommend that[br]they listen with compassion. 0:06:27.421,0:06:33.098 Listening like this,[br]we have only one purpose: 0:06:33.697,0:06:38.767 to allow them a chance to speak out,[br]to empty their heart and suffer less. 0:06:39.219,0:06:42.067 Because you know that they also suffer. 0:06:42.564,0:06:45.917 That is called compassionate listening. 0:06:46.417,0:06:51.847 You listen with only one purpose:[br]to help them to speak out, 0:06:52.714,0:06:57.036 to empty their heart[br]so that they can suffer less. 0:06:59.407,0:07:04.672 That is why, during the time you listen,[br]you should not react. 0:07:05.088,0:07:07.355 Just listen. 0:07:07.511,0:07:10.234 Stop your thinking.[br]Just listen. 0:07:12.023,0:07:15.483 Even if they say wrong things, 0:07:16.013,0:07:18.990 they have a lot of wrong perceptions, 0:07:20.287,0:07:23.254 their perceptions do not[br]correspond with reality, 0:07:23.680,0:07:28.365 you still continue to listen[br]and do not interrupt them 0:07:28.690,0:07:31.004 and correct them. 0:07:31.198,0:07:35.192 Because if you do, you transform[br]the session into a debate. 0:07:35.867,0:07:38.823 That will ruin everything. 0:07:39.525,0:07:42.472 You have to practice mindful breathing 0:07:47.222,0:07:52.290 and maintain mindfulness[br]of compassion alive in you. 0:07:54.489,0:07:57.446 We are listening to them[br]with only one purpose: 0:07:57.641,0:07:59.912 help them to suffer less. 0:08:00.157,0:08:04.112 That is enough for you to be protected. 0:08:04.264,0:08:07.252 You are protected[br]by the energy of compassion. 0:08:07.433,0:08:17.242 That is why what they say doesn't trigger[br]irritation and anger in you. 0:08:18.121,0:08:21.742 Because you are protected by compassion. 0:08:22.162,0:08:24.075 Mindfulness and compassion. 0:08:24.236,0:08:26.355 Just remember one thing: 0:08:26.612,0:08:29.262 I listen with only one purpose, 0:08:30.227,0:08:33.305 to help him to suffer less. 0:08:34.134,0:08:39.427 You can listen for one hour[br]without anger or irritation. 0:08:40.207,0:08:42.868 That is the practice of a bodhisattva, 0:08:43.082,0:08:46.464 Bodhisattva of Deep Listening, 0:08:47.025,0:08:49.493 Compassionate Listening. 0:08:51.613,0:08:55.392 Even if they have[br]a lot of wrong perceptions, 0:08:56.014,0:08:58.112 I will not interrupt them. 0:08:58.273,0:09:01.124 I allow them a chance to suffer less. 0:09:02.227,0:09:05.257 There will be a few more weeks together. 0:09:06.145,0:09:09.820 Three or four days later, 0:09:10.926,0:09:16.028 we may offer them some information[br]for them to correct their perceptions, 0:09:16.167,0:09:19.482 but not now.[br]Now is only listening. 0:09:21.023,0:09:24.074 When you listen like that, 0:09:24.668,0:09:29.256 for the first time you see[br]that on the other side 0:09:30.148,0:09:35.707 they are human beings like you 0:09:36.136,0:09:39.926 and they have suffered exactly 0:09:40.183,0:09:43.515 the kind of suffering that[br]you have suffered on your side. 0:09:43.693,0:09:45.568 Very much the same. 0:09:45.757,0:09:49.110 Bombs, bullets, mortars, 0:09:49.651,0:09:52.492 the death of children,[br]the death of adults, 0:09:53.035,0:09:55.349 houses burnt and so on. 0:09:57.889,0:09:59.897 Despair and so on. 0:10:00.092,0:10:03.992 For the first time,[br]you see their suffering. 0:10:04.195,0:10:06.147 You understand their suffering 0:10:06.309,0:10:10.633 because you have suffered very much[br]the same kind of suffering. 0:10:11.905,0:10:16.363 The first time that you see[br]that they are victims like you. 0:10:17.054,0:10:20.396 You are not the only victim[br]of the conflict. 0:10:24.632,0:10:26.555 Suddenly, 0:10:26.752,0:10:30.994 you are capable of looking at them[br]in a different way. 0:10:31.691,0:10:33.913 Because you have seen their suffering, 0:10:34.085,0:10:36.246 you have understood their suffering, 0:10:36.435,0:10:39.961 suddenly there is compassion in your eyes. 0:10:41.167,0:10:45.572 And when you look at them with compassion,[br]you don't suffer anymore. 0:10:47.625,0:10:49.858 It is a miracle. 0:10:50.462,0:10:53.833 You don't want to punish them anymore. 0:10:54.783,0:10:59.828 You wish that they will not have[br]to suffer like that in the future. 0:10:59.984,0:11:05.152 It means that listening like that allows[br]compassion to be born in your heart. 0:11:09.745,0:11:11.653 You suffer less 0:11:12.288,0:11:14.238 when you listen, 0:11:14.382,0:11:17.301 when you understand[br]the suffering on the other side. 0:11:17.524,0:11:23.299 And you know that you have your chance[br]to tell them also about your suffering 0:11:23.490,0:11:26.319 so that you can help transform them. 0:11:26.479,0:11:28.439 They will not be angry at you 0:11:28.573,0:11:31.611 they will not be fearful of you anymore. 0:11:31.785,0:11:36.420 They will be able to remove[br]their wrong perceptions about you. 0:11:37.209,0:11:44.207 That is the practice of deep listening,[br]compassionate listening and loving speech 0:11:44.866,0:11:52.359 that they practice[br]beginning the second week. 0:11:52.975,0:11:55.580 And many of us,[br]coming from many countries, 0:11:55.770,0:12:00.885 we sit with them and offer[br]our collective energy for them. 0:12:02.043,0:12:06.079 The healing takes place. 0:12:08.532,0:12:11.082 People feel differently, 0:12:11.257,0:12:14.608 look differently, listen differently. 0:12:15.561,0:12:19.456 Slowly, they come together[br]and eat together. 0:12:19.630,0:12:23.203 They can hold hands[br]to do walking meditation together. 0:12:23.667,0:12:26.362 They create a new kind of energy. 0:12:28.027,0:12:31.191 (At the end) of the retreat, 0:12:32.693,0:12:36.347 they always come together as one group. 0:12:36.948,0:12:41.688 They reported to the whole sangha[br]about the progress they had made. 0:12:42.220,0:12:47.363 Before living Plum Village[br]they always promise 0:12:47.857,0:12:50.674 that once they go back to the Middle East 0:12:50.922,0:12:55.909 the will come together[br]to organize that kind of practice 0:12:56.517,0:13:02.139 so that other people can come[br]and practice and suffer less. 0:13:03.228,0:13:07.864 So it is very possible[br]that a number of us come together, 0:13:08.124,0:13:12.307 create a kind of island[br]of peace and understanding 0:13:13.023,0:13:15.374 and that island can grow. 0:13:15.706,0:13:20.218 This is what many of our friends[br]are trying to do in the Middle East. 0:13:21.029,0:13:24.704 Our Dharma teachers[br]go there from time to time 0:13:24.866,0:13:27.166 to offer a retreat. 0:13:27.327,0:13:30.653 If we can do it on a large scale, 0:13:31.126,0:13:33.723 I think there will be more hope. 0:13:35.218,0:13:44.104 If president Obama knows[br]how to organize a peace negotiation, 0:13:47.541,0:13:50.894 he will give both sides enough time 0:13:52.171,0:13:56.242 to calm down, to do sitting,[br]walking, breathing, 0:13:56.371,0:13:59.857 to calm down first before they negotiate. 0:14:00.395,0:14:07.115 You cannot negotiate peace if you are[br]still full of anger, fear and suspicion. 0:14:08.303,0:14:11.866 That is what we do in Plum Village, 0:14:12.030,0:14:15.288 helping them to calm down first, 0:14:15.419,0:14:20.146 to see each other as human beings[br]who have suffered like us 0:14:20.398,0:14:25.506 before we begin listening[br]to each other and talking. 0:14:26.782,0:14:30.468 Let us not give up our hope, 0:14:31.095,0:14:35.167 let us not allow despair to overwhelm us.[br]There is a way. 0:14:35.955,0:14:40.788 Many of us in many countries 0:14:40.981,0:14:44.294 are willing to support you 0:14:44.586,0:14:49.522 in this attempt to create[br]more mutual understanding 0:14:50.363,0:14:53.791 as the foundation of true peace. 0:14:55.824,0:14:57.832 (Bell) 0:15:00.843,0:15:06.226 (Bell)