WEBVTT

00:00:01.739 --> 00:00:03.516
(Half bell)

00:00:06.862 --> 00:00:13.080
(Bell)

00:00:29.353 --> 00:00:32.311
Dear Thay, dear community,

00:00:34.136 --> 00:00:37.384
You spoke about
if we live in a toxic environment

00:00:37.544 --> 00:00:41.184
where there is something we think
is bad for our soul or spirit

00:00:41.845 --> 00:00:44.085
we should leave.

00:00:44.395 --> 00:00:46.424
I live perhaps...

00:00:47.516 --> 00:00:50.435
I live in Israel, in the West Bank.

00:00:53.104 --> 00:00:57.152
In the ground, in everybody's mind,
my family's mind, my children's' mind

00:00:57.524 --> 00:01:02.289
there is a lot of suffering,
a lot of anger, hostility,

00:01:02.830 --> 00:01:06.342
a lot of racial memories
that Jewish people remember.

00:01:07.286 --> 00:01:09.853
Things from thousands of years.

00:01:10.936 --> 00:01:16.479
I have no idea how to take myself away
from a collective conscious,

00:01:16.608 --> 00:01:18.561
from my children and my grandchildren,


00:01:18.690 --> 00:01:23.963
from my home, from a place that I feel
is not good for me.

00:01:25.575 --> 00:01:27.401
My question is:

00:01:27.601 --> 00:01:31.065
How can we remove
from a toxic environment

00:01:31.325 --> 00:01:35.476
when in that environment we have children,
grandchildren, our friends are there,

00:01:35.640 --> 00:01:38.417
our work is there,
our ancestors are there.

00:01:40.391 --> 00:01:46.032
We can contribute to the work
of changing the environment.

00:01:50.510 --> 00:01:56.232
We can also come together
and create a kind of island

00:01:58.663 --> 00:02:03.300
that is safer and healthier

00:02:03.599 --> 00:02:05.647
to protect ourselves

00:02:05.808 --> 00:02:08.943
in the case that we cannot pull out.

00:02:11.074 --> 00:02:13.816
In Plum Village in the past

00:02:13.957 --> 00:02:18.152
we have sponsored many groups
of Palestinians and Israelis

00:02:18.322 --> 00:02:20.531
to come and practice with us.

00:02:25.255 --> 00:02:29.779
We have learned a lot from that.

00:02:32.438 --> 00:02:36.162
Every time two groups came,

00:02:37.361 --> 00:02:41.900
we noticed that they could not
look at each other,

00:02:43.091 --> 00:02:47.057
because each group
has a lot of anger, fear,

00:02:48.312 --> 00:02:50.627
and suspicion.

00:02:54.893 --> 00:02:58.465
And it is not pleasant
to look at the other group.

00:02:59.009 --> 00:03:03.770
Because you think that your suffering
has been created by the other group.

00:03:05.790 --> 00:03:08.793
You are the only victim

00:03:09.242 --> 00:03:13.358
and they are the ones
who cause your suffering.

00:03:13.968 --> 00:03:16.621
That is the thinking,
that is the feeling.

00:03:16.751 --> 00:03:19.118
A lot of anger and fear.

00:03:20.826 --> 00:03:25.786
And suspicion.

00:03:30.634 --> 00:03:36.335
So during the first week of the practice
we helped them, both groups,

00:03:36.517 --> 00:03:40.970
-they didn't stay together in one place-

00:03:43.000 --> 00:03:48.042
in the practice of mindful breathing,
mindful walking, to calm down,

00:03:50.170 --> 00:03:55.431
and to learn how to look at
that suffering, that anger, that fear.

00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:03.982
And the practice of touching
the wonders of life, the nature.

00:04:05.177 --> 00:04:09.173
Because there are many of us,
coming from many countries,

00:04:09.608 --> 00:04:13.976
and together we can create
an atmosphere of brotherhood, sisterhood,

00:04:14.961 --> 00:04:18.464
which is very pleasant to be in.

00:04:18.841 --> 00:04:24.141
During the first week both groups
profit from that kind of environment.

00:04:25.232 --> 00:04:28.806
We eat together, we walk together,

00:04:29.399 --> 00:04:34.527
we share together
our learning, our practice.

00:04:37.017 --> 00:04:43.278
And the second week we begin
the practice of deep listening

00:04:43.468 --> 00:04:45.759
and loving speech.

00:04:46.773 --> 00:04:49.272
One of the two groups

00:04:50.094 --> 00:04:53.163
is invited to speak.

00:04:53.927 --> 00:04:57.824
They are encouraged to tell
everything in their hearts.

00:04:58.044 --> 00:05:01.068
All kind of suffering
that they have gone through

00:05:01.234 --> 00:05:03.562
on their side.

00:05:05.589 --> 00:05:11.335
When the Palestinians speak,
then the Israelis just listen.

00:05:14.248 --> 00:05:19.238
And you who speak, you are encouraged
to use the kind of language

00:05:20.119 --> 00:05:24.714
that can help the other side
to understand.

00:05:25.468 --> 00:05:30.940
If there is too much accusation,
blame and anger,

00:05:31.321 --> 00:05:34.186
the other side will not be able
to listen to you.

00:05:34.377 --> 00:05:38.244
So try to use a kind of language

00:05:38.713 --> 00:05:43.565
that helps the other side
to understand the suffering on your side.

00:05:43.886 --> 00:05:45.673
You must tell them.

00:05:46.424 --> 00:05:53.804
Every kind of suffering that your children
and adults have gone through,

00:05:54.249 --> 00:05:55.855
tell them everything.

00:05:56.004 --> 00:05:59.174
But please do not accuse, do not blame,

00:05:59.312 --> 00:06:02.518
do not be bitter.

00:06:05.959 --> 00:06:08.018
And that will help them,

00:06:08.207 --> 00:06:12.488
because the purpose of speaking is
to help the other side to understand.

00:06:12.804 --> 00:06:16.599
Understand here means understand
the suffering of the other side.

00:06:18.881 --> 00:06:22.263
On the other side who listens,

00:06:22.598 --> 00:06:25.719
we recommend that
they listen with compassion.

00:06:27.421 --> 00:06:33.098
Listening like this,
we have only one purpose:

00:06:33.697 --> 00:06:38.767
to allow them a chance to speak out,
to empty their heart and suffer less.

00:06:39.219 --> 00:06:42.067
Because you know that they also suffer.

00:06:42.564 --> 00:06:45.917
That is called compassionate listening.

00:06:46.417 --> 00:06:51.847
You listen with only one purpose:
to help them to speak out,

00:06:52.714 --> 00:06:57.036
to empty their heart
so that they can suffer less.

00:06:59.407 --> 00:07:04.672
That is why, during the time you listen,
you should not react.

00:07:05.088 --> 00:07:07.355
Just listen.

00:07:07.511 --> 00:07:10.234
Stop your thinking.
Just listen.

00:07:12.023 --> 00:07:15.483
Even if they say wrong things,

00:07:16.013 --> 00:07:18.990
they have a lot of wrong perceptions,

00:07:20.287 --> 00:07:23.254
their perceptions do not
correspond with reality,

00:07:23.680 --> 00:07:28.365
you still continue to listen
and do not interrupt them

00:07:28.690 --> 00:07:31.004
and correct them.

00:07:31.198 --> 00:07:35.192
Because if you do, you transform
the session into a debate.

00:07:35.867 --> 00:07:38.823
That will ruin everything.

00:07:39.525 --> 00:07:42.472
You have to practice mindful breathing

00:07:47.222 --> 00:07:52.290
and maintain mindfulness
of compassion alive in you.

00:07:54.489 --> 00:07:57.446
We are listening to them
with only one purpose:

00:07:57.641 --> 00:07:59.912
help them to suffer less.

00:08:00.157 --> 00:08:04.112
That is enough for you to be protected.

00:08:04.264 --> 00:08:07.252
You are protected
by the energy of compassion.

00:08:07.433 --> 00:08:17.242
That is why what they say doesn't trigger
irritation and anger in you.

00:08:18.121 --> 00:08:21.742
Because you are protected by compassion.

00:08:22.162 --> 00:08:24.075
Mindfulness and compassion.

00:08:24.236 --> 00:08:26.355
Just remember one thing:

00:08:26.612 --> 00:08:29.262
I listen with only one purpose,

00:08:30.227 --> 00:08:33.305
to help him to suffer less.

00:08:34.134 --> 00:08:39.427
You can listen for one hour
without anger or irritation.

00:08:40.207 --> 00:08:42.868
That is the practice of a bodhisattva,

00:08:43.082 --> 00:08:46.464
Bodhisattva of Deep Listening,

00:08:47.025 --> 00:08:49.493
Compassionate Listening.

00:08:51.613 --> 00:08:55.392
Even if they have
a lot of wrong perceptions,

00:08:56.014 --> 00:08:58.112
I will not interrupt them.

00:08:58.273 --> 00:09:01.124
I allow them a chance to suffer less.

00:09:02.227 --> 00:09:05.257
There will be a few more weeks together.

00:09:06.145 --> 00:09:09.820
Three or four days later,

00:09:10.926 --> 00:09:16.028
we may offer them some information
for them to correct their perceptions,

00:09:16.167 --> 00:09:19.482
but not now.
Now is only listening.

00:09:21.023 --> 00:09:24.074
When you listen like that,

00:09:24.668 --> 00:09:29.256
for the first time you see
that on the other side

00:09:30.148 --> 00:09:35.707
they are human beings like you

00:09:36.136 --> 00:09:39.926
and they have suffered exactly

00:09:40.183 --> 00:09:43.515
the kind of suffering that
you have suffered on your side.

00:09:43.693 --> 00:09:45.568
Very much the same.

00:09:45.757 --> 00:09:49.110
Bombs, bullets, mortars,

00:09:49.651 --> 00:09:52.492
the death of children,
the death of adults,

00:09:53.035 --> 00:09:55.349
houses burnt and so on.

00:09:57.889 --> 00:09:59.897
Despair and so on.

00:10:00.092 --> 00:10:03.992
For the first time,
you see their suffering.

00:10:04.195 --> 00:10:06.147
You understand their suffering

00:10:06.309 --> 00:10:10.633
because you have suffered very much
the same kind of suffering.

00:10:11.905 --> 00:10:16.363
The first time that you see
that they are victims like you.

00:10:17.054 --> 00:10:20.396
You are not the only victim
of the conflict.

00:10:24.632 --> 00:10:26.555
Suddenly,

00:10:26.752 --> 00:10:30.994
you are capable of looking at them
in a different way.

00:10:31.691 --> 00:10:33.913
Because you have seen their suffering,

00:10:34.085 --> 00:10:36.246
you have understood their suffering,

00:10:36.435 --> 00:10:39.961
suddenly there is compassion in your eyes.

00:10:41.167 --> 00:10:45.572
And when you look at them with compassion,
you don't suffer anymore.

00:10:47.625 --> 00:10:49.858
It is a miracle.

00:10:50.462 --> 00:10:53.833
You don't want to punish them anymore.

00:10:54.783 --> 00:10:59.828
You wish that they will not have
to suffer like that in the future.

00:10:59.984 --> 00:11:05.152
It means that listening like that allows
compassion to be born in your heart.

00:11:09.745 --> 00:11:11.653
You suffer less

00:11:12.288 --> 00:11:14.238
when you listen,

00:11:14.382 --> 00:11:17.301
when you understand
the suffering on the other side.

00:11:17.524 --> 00:11:23.299
And you know that you have your chance
to tell them also about your suffering

00:11:23.490 --> 00:11:26.319
so that you can help transform them.

00:11:26.479 --> 00:11:28.439
They will not be angry at you

00:11:28.573 --> 00:11:31.611
they will not be fearful of you anymore.

00:11:31.785 --> 00:11:36.420
They will be able to remove
their wrong perceptions about you.

00:11:37.209 --> 00:11:44.207
That is the practice of deep listening,
compassionate listening and loving speech

00:11:44.866 --> 00:11:52.359
that they practice
beginning the second week.

00:11:52.975 --> 00:11:55.580
And many of us,
coming from many countries,

00:11:55.770 --> 00:12:00.885
we sit with them and offer
our collective energy for them.

00:12:02.043 --> 00:12:06.079
The healing takes place.

00:12:08.532 --> 00:12:11.082
People feel differently,

00:12:11.257 --> 00:12:14.608
look differently, listen differently.

00:12:15.561 --> 00:12:19.456
Slowly, they come together
and eat together.

00:12:19.630 --> 00:12:23.203
They can hold hands
to do walking meditation together.

00:12:23.667 --> 00:12:26.362
They create a new kind of energy.

00:12:28.027 --> 00:12:31.191
(At the end) of the retreat,

00:12:32.693 --> 00:12:36.347
they always come together as one group.

00:12:36.948 --> 00:12:41.688
They reported to the whole sangha
about the progress they had made.

00:12:42.220 --> 00:12:47.363
Before living Plum Village
they always promise

00:12:47.857 --> 00:12:50.674
that once they go back to the Middle East

00:12:50.922 --> 00:12:55.909
the will come together
to organize that kind of practice

00:12:56.517 --> 00:13:02.139
so that other people can come
and practice and suffer less.

00:13:03.228 --> 00:13:07.864
So it is very possible
that a number of us come together,

00:13:08.124 --> 00:13:12.307
create a kind of island
of peace and understanding

00:13:13.023 --> 00:13:15.374
and that island can grow.

00:13:15.706 --> 00:13:20.218
This is what many of our friends
are trying to do in the Middle East.

00:13:21.029 --> 00:13:24.704
Our Dharma teachers
go there from time to time

00:13:24.866 --> 00:13:27.166
to offer a retreat.

00:13:27.327 --> 00:13:30.653
If we can do it on a large scale,

00:13:31.126 --> 00:13:33.723
I think there will be more hope.

00:13:35.218 --> 00:13:44.104
If president Obama knows
how to organize a peace negotiation,

00:13:47.541 --> 00:13:50.894
he will give both sides enough time

00:13:52.171 --> 00:13:56.242
to calm down, to do sitting,
walking, breathing,

00:13:56.371 --> 00:13:59.857
to calm down first before they negotiate.

00:14:00.395 --> 00:14:07.115
You cannot negotiate peace if you are
still full of anger, fear and suspicion.

00:14:08.303 --> 00:14:11.866
That is what we do in Plum Village,

00:14:12.030 --> 00:14:15.288
helping them to calm down first,

00:14:15.419 --> 00:14:20.146
to see each other as human beings
who have suffered like us

00:14:20.398 --> 00:14:25.506
before we begin listening
to each other and talking.

00:14:26.782 --> 00:14:30.468
Let us not give up our hope,

00:14:31.095 --> 00:14:35.167
let us not allow despair to overwhelm us.
There is a way.

00:14:35.955 --> 00:14:40.788
Many of us in many countries

00:14:40.981 --> 00:14:44.294
are willing to support you

00:14:44.586 --> 00:14:49.522
in this attempt to create
more mutual understanding

00:14:50.363 --> 00:14:53.791
as the foundation of true peace.

00:14:55.824 --> 00:14:57.832
(Bell)

00:15:00.843 --> 00:15:06.226
(Bell)