0:00:08.617,0:00:10.665 Dear respected teacher 0:00:11.100,0:00:13.089 Dear beloved community 0:00:14.116,0:00:18.116 Today is the 10th of March[br]in the year 2022 0:00:19.285,0:00:22.475 and we are gathered together[br]in the Stillwater Hall 0:00:22.870,0:00:25.108 of the Upper Hamlet[br]at Plum Village, France, 0:00:26.047,0:00:27.739 as well as 0:00:28.487,0:00:31.019 in many places all around the world. 0:00:31.597,0:00:34.067 for this retreat. 0:00:34.420,0:00:36.000 So let us 0:00:37.508,0:00:41.108 start just by enjoying[br]three sounds of the bell 0:00:41.926,0:00:46.966 as we settle into this moment.[br]Into our bodies, 0:00:47.436,0:00:49.183 into our feelings, 0:00:51.000,0:00:52.642 into our breath. 0:00:53.286,0:00:55.707 Just allow your mind to be 0:00:56.897,0:00:59.507 guided back to the present moment 0:00:59.656,0:01:01.670 with the sound of the bell. 0:01:09.601,0:01:11.881 (Waking the bell - muted ring) 0:01:16.269,0:01:21.989 (Deep bell sounds) 0:01:48.197,0:01:54.187 (Deep bell sounds) 0:02:16.310,0:02:22.290 (Deep bell sounds) 0:03:07.221,0:03:09.221 Dear respected Thay. 0:03:09.516,0:03:11.026 Dear friends. 0:03:13.458,0:03:15.248 We have come together 0:03:15.346,0:03:19.766 in this three or four day online retreat, 0:03:20.046,0:03:22.298 three and a half day online retreat 0:03:23.386,0:03:25.379 to honor our teacher 0:03:25.814,0:03:28.560 and our beloved abbot Thay Phap Huu. 0:03:28.890,0:03:31.540 And Thay Phap Trien[br]and Sister Lang Nghiem 0:03:32.066,0:03:34.636 just returned from Vietnam a few days ago 0:03:34.786,0:03:38.226 bearing the ashes[br]of our teacher's body. 0:03:41.451,0:03:43.564 They made that trip specially just to 0:03:45.302,0:03:48.020 to welcome Thay's ashes back 0:03:48.735,0:03:50.455 to Plum Village. 0:03:52.535,0:03:54.792 And on Sunday[br]we'll have a ceremony to 0:03:56.739,0:03:59.039 receive his ashes[br]here in this hall 0:03:59.265,0:04:01.715 and then to take them to 0:04:02.537,0:04:04.317 to spread them 0:04:04.568,0:04:07.767 in the beautiful grounds of[br]Upper Hamlet that Thay loved so much. 0:04:08.745,0:04:10.965 Where the daffodils are currently 0:04:11.145,0:04:12.555 smiling, 0:04:13.008,0:04:15.368 and I know they will welcome Thay 0:04:16.302,0:04:18.161 back to the earth. 0:04:20.884,0:04:24.994 So we've gathered together 0:04:25.110,0:04:27.450 maybe more than 500 of us 0:04:28.232,0:04:30.057 online and offline 0:04:31.969,0:04:33.709 to honor our teacher 0:04:35.218,0:04:37.158 And yet . . . 0:04:37.990,0:04:41.493 at the same time, we know[br]that there is a war going on 0:04:42.783,0:04:45.232 And that people are dying 0:04:47.501,0:04:51.501 People are being buried[br]under piles of rubble 0:04:55.230,0:04:57.980 and many thousands of people 0:04:59.273,0:05:00.643 are dying. 0:05:00.896,0:05:02.556 Millions are fleeing 0:05:02.671,0:05:04.541 their homes 0:05:04.751,0:05:07.651 trying to find shelter somewhere else 0:05:09.141,0:05:11.861 and there's a lot of suffering. 0:05:14.731,0:05:16.571 And so . . . 0:05:17.561,0:05:20.981 I have been asking myself[br]the last few days 0:05:23.446,0:05:24.981 how can we 0:05:26.673,0:05:30.158 continue with this retreat when we know 0:05:32.455,0:05:34.956 the suffering that is going on. 0:05:38.973,0:05:40.833 And part of me was feeling 0:05:42.373,0:05:44.373 Thay would know what to do. 0:05:44.863,0:05:48.103 Thay would know how to[br]respond to this moment, 0:05:48.293,0:05:52.193 to this terrible and challenging moment. 0:05:55.739,0:05:57.179 And a . . . 0:05:58.864,0:06:01.124 I think that when Thay passed away 0:06:02.789,0:06:04.542 a month and a half ago 0:06:04.852,0:06:06.552 many of us felt 0:06:07.892,0:06:10.772 a kind of a . . . a need to 0:06:11.738,0:06:13.288 to step up. 0:06:13.362,0:06:15.100 A sense of responsibility, 0:06:16.652,0:06:19.592 because now who will play that role? 0:06:19.745,0:06:23.563 Who will be able to guide the sangha 0:06:24.603,0:06:27.233 in these challenging moments? 0:06:27.365,0:06:29.273 Who will be able to respond 0:06:30.872,0:06:33.907 to the suffering of the world[br]as Thay would do? 0:06:36.842,0:06:38.682 And . . . 0:06:39.734,0:06:42.974 It's very difficult to know what to do 0:06:47.958,0:06:50.685 (Whispering instructions) 0:06:57.282,0:06:59.111 So as I reflected on this 0:07:03.564,0:07:07.457 I realized that we have[br]an opportunity in this retreat 0:07:09.314,0:07:10.894 to a . . . 0:07:12.796,0:07:16.029 to make sure that[br]Thay is very alive. 0:07:17.757,0:07:20.547 Because we know he would know what to do. 0:07:20.847,0:07:23.036 He does know what to do. 0:07:23.673,0:07:27.343 So our job is just[br]to make sure that he's very alive 0:07:28.378,0:07:30.538 in us and in the whole community. 0:07:30.771,0:07:33.091 And I think we know how to do that. 0:07:35.881,0:07:39.891 I look into my feelings[br]and my perceptions 0:07:41.432,0:07:44.166 around the passing of our teacher, and 0:07:46.076,0:07:48.438 I can't really say that he's gone, 0:07:49.174,0:07:51.631 and I can't really say that he's dead, 0:07:51.951,0:07:53.691 or that he's not there. 0:07:53.774,0:07:55.984 If anything he feels more there, 0:07:56.614,0:07:58.344 much more. 0:07:58.516,0:08:00.796 Very present, very alive. 0:08:02.204,0:08:05.319 So if we want to know[br]what to do, we can ask Thay. 0:08:05.759,0:08:10.499 But first we have to help him[br]to be very present with us. 0:08:13.923,0:08:15.453 And a . . . 0:08:18.731,0:08:21.085 then we will know what to do. 0:08:22.921,0:08:24.891 And what not to do. 0:08:25.729,0:08:27.229 What to say 0:08:27.377,0:08:29.367 and what not to say. 0:08:33.478,0:08:36.428 Because we want to,[br]we want to help. 0:08:36.626,0:08:38.789 Of course, we want to help. 0:08:39.890,0:08:42.040 But we also know that if we 0:08:45.570,0:08:49.770 if we don't have peace,[br]if we are not at peace 0:08:49.867,0:08:54.267 then when we try to help[br]we may make the situation worse. 0:08:56.627,0:08:58.057 And a . . . 0:09:00.217,0:09:02.906 And we want to know [br]that we are really helping, 0:09:03.100,0:09:05.082 helping in the right way. 0:09:06.566,0:09:10.219 So Thay said many times[br]and he wrote beautiful calligraphy 0:09:10.410,0:09:15.670 "Peace in oneself, peace in the world." 0:09:16.824,0:09:19.228 And when I first saw that calligraphy 0:09:19.874,0:09:22.555 I struggled with it[br]a little bit, if I'm honest. 0:09:22.705,0:09:24.262 I . . . 0:09:26.065,0:09:27.865 I sort of wasn't convinced. 0:09:29.086,0:09:31.491 I thought,[br]Thay, it's not going to be enough 0:09:31.716,0:09:34.776 if, you know,[br]I can be at peace, sure, but 0:09:35.542,0:09:38.172 there are still terrible things[br]happening in the world. 0:09:38.438,0:09:41.324 It doesn't seem to make much difference. 0:09:41.702,0:09:44.064 But as I reflected more 0:09:45.833,0:09:47.453 on that statement 0:09:48.469,0:09:51.194 my feeling about it started to change. 0:09:52.104,0:09:56.304 So first of all[br]I looked at the inverse statement. 0:09:58.234,0:10:01.444 So if there's no peace in me 0:10:02.963,0:10:05.533 then there's definitely[br]not peace in the world 0:10:05.823,0:10:07.723 because I'm in the world. 0:10:07.863,0:10:09.583 I'm part of the world. 0:10:09.807,0:10:11.907 So that is true. 0:10:13.709,0:10:15.595 If there's no peace in us 0:10:16.716,0:10:19.416 then how can there be peace in the world? 0:10:21.786,0:10:23.486 And then I asked myself 0:10:25.471,0:10:26.941 how do I know 0:10:28.730,0:10:31.544 that it's not true?[br]You know, that if there's peace in me 0:10:31.615,0:10:33.695 there would be peace in the world. 0:10:33.788,0:10:36.038 I haven't even really tried. 0:10:36.979,0:10:38.679 I think it's a . . . 0:10:38.933,0:10:41.301 I'm a little bit arrogant[br]to think that I know 0:10:41.630,0:10:44.020 what peace in me would be. 0:10:46.999,0:10:50.073 Have I really committed myself 0:10:51.308,0:10:52.888 to peace? 0:10:53.076,0:10:55.401 In my life, in my actions 0:10:56.706,0:10:58.673 in my way of consuming, 0:10:59.083,0:11:00.683 my way of speaking. 0:11:05.801,0:11:09.465 And do I risk to underestimate 0:11:10.420,0:11:11.880 peace? 0:11:13.462,0:11:15.082 Real peace. 0:11:17.461,0:11:19.571 So I think it's worth checking. 0:11:19.856,0:11:21.336 To ask ourselves 0:11:22.958,0:11:25.878 Have we really tried yet? 0:11:29.558,0:11:31.691 Thay always liked to say 0:11:31.811,0:11:33.771 that in Plum Village we don't 0:11:33.861,0:11:35.442 our intention is not to 0:11:35.576,0:11:38.506 give you more ideas about peace. 0:11:40.661,0:11:43.699 Because we already have[br]a lot of ideas about peace. 0:11:43.881,0:11:45.861 We don't need any more. 0:11:48.828,0:11:50.508 But our intention is to 0:11:51.117,0:11:52.997 learn to be peace. 0:11:55.886,0:11:57.636 It's not to talk about it, 0:11:57.844,0:11:59.624 but to be it. 0:12:00.652,0:12:02.792 And we have a way to do that. 0:12:05.546,0:12:07.256 And . . . 0:12:14.300,0:12:16.090 Then we can 0:12:17.841,0:12:19.250 we can see 0:12:19.419,0:12:21.807 for ourselves what is the effect 0:12:22.226,0:12:24.086 of that peace in the world. 0:12:24.689,0:12:29.119 Of course, we know that[br]the seeds of the current war 0:12:29.241,0:12:31.651 were sown a long time ago. 0:12:33.754,0:12:35.284 And so . . . 0:12:37.390,0:12:39.200 we may not be able to stop 0:12:40.325,0:12:42.495 the current destruction 0:12:43.053,0:12:45.233 the loss of life, the suffering. 0:12:47.480,0:12:50.116 But, we also know that we 0:12:51.098,0:12:55.838 don't want to continue to[br]sow the seeds of war now, 0:12:58.331,0:13:00.311 for future wars. 0:13:01.508,0:13:03.798 And we have confidence that if we 0:13:04.183,0:13:06.248 truly sow the seeds of peace, 0:13:06.488,0:13:08.448 in ourselves, in our own hearts, 0:13:08.754,0:13:10.302 in our communities, 0:13:10.661,0:13:12.391 then perhaps we can avoid 0:13:12.889,0:13:14.885 other wars in the future. 0:13:21.456,0:13:24.116 Towards the beginning of the war 0:13:25.253,0:13:27.299 I saw somebody posted online 0:13:29.582,0:13:31.187 something like this.[br]It said, 0:13:31.870,0:13:34.270 When will we learn 0:13:35.885,0:13:39.515 to love our neighbors as ourselves? 0:13:40.951,0:13:46.461 This is from Jesus' commandments to us. 0:13:48.598,0:13:50.718 To love thy neighbor as thyself. 0:13:51.640,0:13:53.580 It's known as the golden rule. 0:13:57.441,0:14:00.645 Do to others as you would be done by. 0:14:04.608,0:14:06.228 And it seems simple. 0:14:06.295,0:14:09.018 It seems that if we could just 0:14:09.100,0:14:11.721 love others as we love ourselves then 0:14:13.371,0:14:17.076 that would already be a[br]much more beautiful society. 0:14:17.559,0:14:19.659 A much more beautiful world. 0:14:22.621,0:14:23.931 But . . . 0:14:25.406,0:14:27.116 I'm not sure 0:14:27.932,0:14:29.326 that I 0:14:29.836,0:14:33.602 know even how to love myself, really. 0:14:34.576,0:14:37.875 So even if I did[br]love my neighbor as I love myself 0:14:38.016,0:14:39.826 would I really love them, 0:14:40.433,0:14:42.806 if I can't yet love myself? 0:14:45.592,0:14:48.542 So it seems to me[br]this is a good place to start. 0:14:51.242,0:14:53.762 And it's a way to act. 0:14:55.135,0:14:58.995 To really take care of ourselves 0:15:00.478,0:15:01.898 is action, 0:15:02.230,0:15:03.980 is engagement, 0:15:04.927,0:15:06.801 it's not turning away. 0:15:09.414,0:15:11.324 It is a real contribution. 0:15:17.195,0:15:21.595 So . . . we know that[br]we have a physical body 0:15:25.194,0:15:27.163 and we can ask ourselves, 0:15:27.393,0:15:30.593 if we've really been[br]taking good care of our body. 0:15:36.815,0:15:38.385 Have we allowed 0:15:38.516,0:15:43.036 tension and stress[br]to accumulate in our body. 0:15:45.439,0:15:48.811 Have we put pressure on ourselves 0:15:49.530,0:15:51.080 to be a certain way 0:15:54.745,0:15:57.223 to work late into the night. 0:16:01.023,0:16:03.303 Have we pushed our body too hard? 0:16:08.216,0:16:11.604 And are we really even paying attention 0:16:11.986,0:16:13.417 to our body. 0:16:14.596,0:16:16.475 This is the first practice 0:16:16.746,0:16:18.836 just to bring the mind back 0:16:19.187,0:16:23.337 to the sensations in the body[br]right now, in this moment. 0:16:30.002,0:16:31.531 And . . . 0:16:32.672,0:16:35.352 it's not always easy because if we have 0:16:36.722,0:16:40.537 allowed some tension to accumulate,[br]then when we bring our minds back 0:16:40.699,0:16:43.336 to the body it isn't necessarily pleasant. 0:16:44.115,0:16:45.935 There may be some pain, 0:16:47.231,0:16:48.621 some tension. 0:16:50.206,0:16:51.686 There may be 0:16:53.578,0:16:57.608 traces of past suffering[br]accumulated in our body. 0:16:59.801,0:17:01.517 The body might not feel 0:17:01.655,0:17:05.655 totally safe to take refuge in. 0:17:07.752,0:17:09.832 It might not feel like a refuge. 0:17:11.036,0:17:13.546 There may be feelings of discomfort. 0:17:16.563,0:17:17.893 So if we 0:17:20.719,0:17:24.199 if we bring our mind back[br]to our body, and if we find 0:17:26.275,0:17:27.805 some painful feelings, 0:17:27.925,0:17:29.840 some uncomfortable feelings, 0:17:30.620,0:17:32.570 then we need to know how to 0:17:33.895,0:17:35.895 take care of those feelings. 0:17:36.995,0:17:40.432 To embrace those feelings[br]with all of our love, 0:17:41.617,0:17:42.967 tenderness, 0:17:44.167,0:17:47.105 and to give our body a chance 0:17:49.000,0:17:50.440 to relax. 0:17:52.792,0:17:56.017 To release some of[br]that accumulated tension, 0:17:58.291,0:17:59.821 and to heal. 0:18:00.752,0:18:04.752 Our body knows very well[br]how to heal if we give it the chance. 0:18:11.098,0:18:14.647 So, we can do this multiple times a day, 0:18:16.383,0:18:20.493 in any position we happen to find[br]ourselves we can do a body scan. 0:18:20.637,0:18:24.837 Whether we're sitting, standing[br]lying down, even while we're walking. 0:18:26.290,0:18:29.385 We can just scan the[br]different parts of our body and 0:18:30.550,0:18:32.570 give them permission to 0:18:32.976,0:18:35.919 to relax any tension that[br]might have accumulated. 0:18:36.081,0:18:38.027 We have to be careful not to 0:18:38.404,0:18:40.044 make more pressure. 0:18:40.144,0:18:41.633 "You have to relax!" 0:18:42.319,0:18:43.989 "Why are you so tense?" 0:18:46.134,0:18:49.621 We have a kind of conditioning to 0:18:51.445,0:18:54.962 tend to want to do everything perfectly. 0:18:56.594,0:18:57.900 To do, 0:18:58.450,0:19:00.610 to be good at relaxing, 0:19:00.790,0:19:02.274 to do it well, 0:19:02.940,0:19:05.990 that we may unconsciously put[br]more pressure on ourselves 0:19:06.170,0:19:08.040 and create more tension. 0:19:08.727,0:19:12.313 So, it's very nice just to 0:19:14.124,0:19:16.392 just to give ourselves permission, 0:19:16.582,0:19:18.815 to give our body permission 0:19:19.818,0:19:23.818 to release, just as much as[br]as it would like to release 0:19:24.110,0:19:26.061 without any expectation. 0:19:29.412,0:19:31.917 So, I like to do this 0:19:32.787,0:19:34.247 many times a day. 0:19:34.397,0:19:36.017 I might start with 0:19:36.987,0:19:38.447 with my jaw, 0:19:41.037,0:19:43.267 and just check in and say "hello." 0:19:44.630,0:19:45.980 "Hello" my jaw. 0:19:51.196,0:19:54.715 Have I allowed some[br]tension to build up here? 0:19:55.887,0:19:57.637 Is my jaw locked? 0:19:59.437,0:20:01.999 If you want to, you can just release 0:20:02.259,0:20:04.959 as much as you would like to release. 0:20:05.085,0:20:06.786 Ah . . . 0:20:07.569,0:20:09.139 It feels better already. 0:20:11.477,0:20:13.401 I can check in with my tongue, 0:20:14.817,0:20:16.487 the palate of my mouth, 0:20:18.109,0:20:19.959 the gums, even the teeth. 0:20:22.324,0:20:24.184 The whole mouth, and the lips. 0:20:26.588,0:20:27.938 Just check. 0:20:28.922,0:20:30.723 See how it feels right now. 0:20:37.449,0:20:40.535 I just let my mouth and my jaw know 0:20:42.296,0:20:45.596 it's ok to let go of 0:20:46.643,0:20:48.887 whatever you'd like to let go of. 0:20:51.250,0:20:54.601 And check my nose, the sinuses, 0:20:57.762,0:20:59.042 the nostrils, 0:21:03.923,0:21:05.346 the eyes. 0:21:12.257,0:21:14.841 And all the little muscles[br]around the eyes. 0:21:15.469,0:21:17.620 We make our eyes work so hard. 0:21:18.418,0:21:20.552 Reading and looking at screens. 0:21:21.326,0:21:24.146 So it's very nice just to[br]give them a chance to 0:21:25.531,0:21:26.891 to become soft. 0:21:27.793,0:21:29.754 Give them permission to rest. 0:21:33.583,0:21:36.172 This is a kind of love, already, 0:21:37.004,0:21:38.694 that we can offer ourselves. 0:21:40.251,0:21:42.501 Kindness, compassion. 0:21:44.263,0:21:45.873 "It's ok, my two eyes, 0:21:46.295,0:21:47.775 you can rest now." 0:21:52.176,0:21:55.806 My forehead may[br]have accumulated a lot of 0:21:56.943,0:21:59.403 intensity, or thinking energy. 0:22:00.021,0:22:02.047 I can just let my forehead know 0:22:04.482,0:22:06.647 "Hmm, now it's ok 0:22:07.523,0:22:08.883 just to be soft." 0:22:16.037,0:22:17.841 I can check in with my ears, 0:22:21.927,0:22:23.316 my scalp, 0:22:28.199,0:22:29.621 my hands, 0:22:31.338,0:22:32.847 thumbs and fingers. 0:22:36.732,0:22:39.482 Is there any feeling of 0:22:39.958,0:22:41.548 tension in my fingers. 0:22:43.319,0:22:45.349 Just say "hello" to my two hands. 0:22:47.351,0:22:48.681 Hello. 0:22:50.830,0:22:52.532 You can let go now. 0:22:53.643,0:22:55.185 Nothing to hold on to. 0:22:56.241,0:22:57.482 Nothing to grasp. 0:23:00.964,0:23:02.394 You can rest. 0:23:04.924,0:23:06.734 I can say hello to my arms, 0:23:06.843,0:23:08.183 my shoulders. 0:23:10.151,0:23:12.897 Maybe there's a[br]little tension in the shoulders, 0:23:13.994,0:23:15.477 or even a little pain. 0:23:20.526,0:23:23.461 And say[br]"Hello, my two shoulders, thank you, 0:23:25.543,0:23:29.463 for holding everything[br]you've been holding, and now 0:23:33.654,0:23:37.418 you can release[br]what ever you'd like to release. 0:23:38.787,0:23:40.356 Don't worry. 0:23:46.226,0:23:47.926 My arms won't fall off. 0:23:50.817,0:23:52.407 You can get back 0:23:53.750,0:23:55.990 how ever much of my arms 0:23:56.087,0:23:58.037 that you've been holding up. 0:23:59.360,0:24:00.945 Just let them hang. 0:24:02.201,0:24:04.611 Maybe arms feel a little heavier, 0:24:08.555,0:24:10.063 a little more loose. 0:24:11.625,0:24:14.055 Maybe the breath comes a little easier. 0:24:17.342,0:24:20.413 Be aware of the movement of the chest, 0:24:23.023,0:24:25.516 aware of any tightness that may be there. 0:24:28.418,0:24:31.220 Just give it permission to soften. 0:24:36.240,0:24:38.752 And feel the belly[br]rising with the inbreath. 0:24:38.864,0:24:40.926 Falling with the outbreath. 0:24:44.824,0:24:46.830 Hello, my abdomen. 0:24:48.173,0:24:50.422 Is there anything[br]you've been holding on to? 0:24:54.204,0:24:55.584 If you want to 0:24:56.993,0:24:59.321 you can just release it now. 0:25:08.295,0:25:10.926 We can feel our two legs, our feet, 0:25:15.648,0:25:18.097 and just give them permission to rest. 0:25:19.410,0:25:21.893 You're not going anywhere,[br]not doing anything. 0:25:23.488,0:25:24.858 It's so nice. 0:25:27.741,0:25:29.181 Just to rest, 0:25:31.066,0:25:34.756 to allow ourselves[br]to sink a little deeper 0:25:36.781,0:25:39.022 into our contact with the ground, 0:25:40.156,0:25:41.776 the cushion or the chair. 0:25:46.105,0:25:48.925 Feel ourselves resting on Mother Earth, 0:25:49.282,0:25:52.207 and to entrust ourselves to Mother Earth. 0:25:59.806,0:26:01.266 And maybe . . . 0:26:03.089,0:26:07.939 our body feels a little sense of relief. 0:26:12.229,0:26:14.538 (Exhales) 0:26:17.551,0:26:19.221 And we can smile, 0:26:21.516,0:26:24.596 and feel the smile[br]embracing our whole body. 0:26:33.256,0:26:35.086 It's very nice to be 0:26:35.824,0:26:38.705 just aware of the[br]sensations in the body. 0:26:41.566,0:26:43.916 And we know our mind[br]is in the present moment 0:26:44.021,0:26:47.445 because those sensations[br]are only in the present moment. 0:26:54.292,0:26:56.952 It's a wonderful way to take care 0:26:57.152,0:26:58.592 of our body. 0:27:02.726,0:27:06.071 And then, in the body[br]we may notice some feelings. 0:27:08.100,0:27:09.973 There may be a feeling of 0:27:10.492,0:27:11.932 pressure, 0:27:12.818,0:27:14.928 anxiety, tension. 0:27:17.425,0:27:20.511 Some kind of unease or discomfort. 0:27:22.764,0:27:25.772 We can say hello[br]to those feelings as well. 0:27:29.122,0:27:32.266 And know that[br]we are more than those feelings. 0:27:35.249,0:27:36.997 That we are vast. 0:27:39.395,0:27:42.010 That there is a quality of love 0:27:42.992,0:27:47.132 and stability in us[br]that is capable 0:27:48.715,0:27:51.175 of embracing whatever is there 0:27:52.590,0:27:54.292 with tenderness. 0:28:01.372,0:28:06.912 And those feelings, they like to be held. 0:28:07.713,0:28:09.676 You don't need to do much. 0:28:15.218,0:28:19.888 Just to allow any feelings[br]of discomfort or uneasiness to 0:28:21.197,0:28:23.640 to take a bath of mindfulness. 0:28:26.264,0:28:30.264 To be bathed in the energy of mindfulness. 0:28:33.720,0:28:36.710 And that means[br]just listening to those feelings. 0:28:37.229,0:28:39.338 Being there for them. 0:28:41.973,0:28:46.193 Taking the time to be fully present 0:28:47.863,0:28:49.682 for whatever is there. 0:28:55.082,0:28:57.002 It's very nice to do that. 0:28:58.989,0:29:02.412 And we may find[br]that we have some emotions as well. 0:29:06.449,0:29:10.449 Maybe there's some anger in our heart, 0:29:12.557,0:29:15.400 or despair or anxiety, 0:29:18.582,0:29:19.992 or fear. 0:29:26.196,0:29:30.946 And those feelings[br]might have been pushing us to act, 0:29:32.690,0:29:34.140 to consume, 0:29:37.461,0:29:39.389 to speak. 0:29:43.682,0:29:46.472 And somehow, when we're[br]pushed by those feelings we 0:29:47.007,0:29:49.163 we lose a little of our freedom. 0:29:50.681,0:29:52.361 We lose our sovereignty. 0:29:53.639,0:29:55.659 We're not ourselves. 0:30:02.700,0:30:04.495 So it's very nice also to 0:30:06.180,0:30:09.418 to create the time, to take the time 0:30:11.296,0:30:13.587 to say hello to those feelings, 0:30:14.836,0:30:17.643 which may have been there a long time. 0:30:25.982,0:30:28.918 To offer them our love, our presence. 0:30:30.357,0:30:32.452 Our presence is very powerful 0:30:36.074,0:30:37.784 when we're not distracted 0:30:38.467,0:30:39.917 by the telephone. 0:30:50.760,0:30:53.795 So we learn,[br]in this retreat how to handle 0:30:54.840,0:30:56.231 our emotions. 0:30:56.387,0:31:00.077 And if we are to handle them,[br]first we have the recognize them, 0:31:00.207,0:31:01.807 that they are there. 0:31:02.429,0:31:05.273 And be humble and honest. 0:31:17.223,0:31:18.753 And taken together, 0:31:20.960,0:31:22.720 the tension in our body, 0:31:24.399,0:31:27.203 the tension in our feelings,[br]in our emotions, 0:31:27.779,0:31:29.929 they form a kind of 0:31:31.583,0:31:32.903 background 0:31:33.507,0:31:35.427 inclination of our mind 0:31:38.493,0:31:42.313 that may have a tendency to push us. 0:31:48.894,0:31:52.994 And this inclination of mind[br]might have been transmitted to us 0:31:53.108,0:31:55.048 over many generations. 0:31:55.773,0:31:58.903 We may recognize our ancestors in it. 0:31:58.988,0:32:00.608 Maybe there's a . . . 0:32:02.216,0:32:04.953 just a . . .[br]it's like a subtle filter 0:32:05.442,0:32:06.901 over everything. 0:32:08.040,0:32:09.990 It influences our perceptions 0:32:12.017,0:32:13.565 of everything. 0:32:15.384,0:32:18.233 Maybe it's a kind of subtle cynicism 0:32:18.298,0:32:21.250 that things will not work out. 0:32:23.752,0:32:25.572 Things won't turn out well. 0:32:25.927,0:32:27.467 (Whispers) I just know it. 0:32:29.560,0:32:31.605 Maybe there's just a feeling that 0:32:33.842,0:32:35.799 it won't go well for me. 0:32:37.318,0:32:38.991 No matter what I do. 0:32:40.091,0:32:41.771 I'm going to suffer. 0:32:44.241,0:32:47.320 Maybe it's a tendency to feel like 0:32:48.166,0:32:52.166 ultimately, we will let people down 0:32:54.758,0:32:56.660 no matter what, in the end 0:32:58.223,0:32:59.992 I will let you down. 0:33:02.582,0:33:05.919 Maybe it's a feeling, unconscious, 0:33:06.022,0:33:08.863 that in the end, will be betrayed. 0:33:10.740,0:33:13.962 That love isn't really[br]something that we can rely on. 0:33:14.072,0:33:16.302 Something that we can trust. 0:33:20.195,0:33:21.935 These may be 0:33:22.833,0:33:24.937 the kind of attitudes that have been 0:33:25.016,0:33:27.636 transmitted over many generations. 0:33:28.763,0:33:31.203 And conditioned by real suffering, 0:33:31.302,0:33:32.792 by real betrayal, 0:33:32.924,0:33:35.072 by real disappointment, 0:33:36.119,0:33:37.929 by real pain. 0:33:38.301,0:33:40.161 But now, maybe we just have 0:33:40.278,0:33:41.668 the attitude. 0:33:42.800,0:33:47.420 And it's worth having a deep[br]conversation with our ancestors 0:33:49.298,0:33:52.620 to see if we can update that attitude. 0:33:54.958,0:33:58.451 Invite them to look again, check. 0:33:59.566,0:34:01.736 I like to talk to my grandfather. 0:34:01.809,0:34:03.932 My grandfather was very sure that 0:34:05.977,0:34:08.528 ultimately, things wouldn't go well. 0:34:10.421,0:34:12.116 There would just be pain. 0:34:15.881,0:34:17.241 And he 0:34:18.324,0:34:21.414 caused people to suffer 0:34:21.564,0:34:23.024 in our family, 0:34:23.124,0:34:24.914 caused himself to suffer. 0:34:30.960,0:34:32.863 And so he had lots of evidence. 0:34:35.181,0:34:37.379 So I like to check in with him and say 0:34:40.457,0:34:41.887 Hello. 0:34:42.405,0:34:44.469 Look, in this moment 0:34:47.474,0:34:49.474 we're not harming anyone. 0:34:52.832,0:34:56.297 In this moment,[br]we're not harming ourselves. 0:35:00.807,0:35:02.475 In this moment 0:35:04.658,0:35:06.909 we're taking good care of ourselves. 0:35:11.381,0:35:15.121 In this moment,[br]we're doing exactly the thing 0:35:15.197,0:35:17.173 that we always wanted to do. 0:35:23.036,0:35:25.639 In this moment, we're realizing 0:35:26.675,0:35:28.540 our deepest aspiration. 0:35:30.680,0:35:32.020 To love, 0:35:36.146,0:35:38.257 to cultivate awareness, 0:35:38.726,0:35:40.114 to wake up. 0:35:43.174,0:35:45.268 And it's like a magic formula. 0:35:45.498,0:35:46.838 It's a . . . 0:35:48.948,0:35:51.528 It's an instant source of happiness. 0:35:52.603,0:35:55.023 To recognize that in this very moment 0:35:55.136,0:35:56.688 we're doing exactly 0:35:57.668,0:35:59.831 what we wanted to do all along. 0:36:04.445,0:36:08.099 Because we need to know how[br]to generate a feeling of happiness. 0:36:09.950,0:36:12.150 Generating a feeling of happiness is 0:36:12.276,0:36:15.895 a powerful way to act in the world. 0:36:18.126,0:36:19.506 It's a way to 0:36:20.735,0:36:24.219 help take care of our pain, 0:36:26.292,0:36:27.992 of our painful feelings. 0:36:32.156,0:36:33.816 A feeling of happiness will 0:36:33.933,0:36:36.901 already help to[br]embrace our painful feelings. 0:36:41.018,0:36:43.610 And it's wonderful when[br]we are already practicing 0:36:43.976,0:36:46.930 just to notice, oh, I'm practicing. 0:36:47.490,0:36:48.820 Wow. 0:36:50.392,0:36:52.092 That's a source of happiness. 0:36:52.257,0:36:55.568 That mindfulness is a source of happiness. 0:36:59.976,0:37:02.641 Taking care of our suffering 0:37:02.949,0:37:04.772 is a source of happiness. 0:37:05.850,0:37:08.129 Now we need to let our ancestors know 0:37:08.966,0:37:11.323 and invite them to participate 0:37:15.295,0:37:18.074 and gradually,[br]the inclination of our minds 0:37:18.154,0:37:19.684 starts to change. 0:37:22.356,0:37:25.167 Maybe we have[br]a chance to see things anew. 0:37:28.782,0:37:31.692 And maybe our perceptions change. 0:37:34.194,0:37:37.694 Because our perceptions[br]are the ground of our action. 0:37:38.462,0:37:41.417 And if we have a lot of wrong perceptions 0:37:41.515,0:37:44.195 about each other and about ourselves 0:37:47.507,0:37:49.827 then it will be very hard to act 0:37:49.941,0:37:51.431 with wisdom. 0:37:54.722,0:37:56.314 So . . . 0:37:58.521,0:38:00.021 when we are able to 0:38:00.204,0:38:01.788 to take care of our body, 0:38:02.177,0:38:05.177 to relax our body,[br]to allow our body to relax, 0:38:05.739,0:38:07.759 to take care of our feelings, 0:38:08.313,0:38:10.379 to take care of our emotions, 0:38:12.289,0:38:14.982 the fundamental attitude of our mind, 0:38:19.654,0:38:22.696 then we can start to 0:38:24.264,0:38:26.299 to be peace. 0:38:27.697,0:38:30.177 And then we can really help. 0:38:42.717,0:38:45.442 (Waking the bell - soft bell) 0:38:48.721,0:38:55.201 (Bell sounds) 0:39:33.469,0:39:37.329 So we want Thay to be very alive in us, 0:39:37.438,0:39:39.028 and in our community 0:39:39.128,0:39:40.978 in these four days. 0:39:41.681,0:39:43.101 So I suggest 0:39:44.544,0:39:47.731 that we live for these next few days 0:39:48.808,0:39:50.668 like Thay. 0:39:54.982,0:39:57.593 Thay had a lot of confidence 0:39:57.902,0:39:59.897 in his students. 0:40:00.835,0:40:02.379 Thay would always say 0:40:03.162,0:40:04.472 Thay is in you. 0:40:07.484,0:40:10.526 When often people would[br]come and ask Thay a question 0:40:10.723,0:40:13.593 about starting an initiative somewhere, 0:40:14.820,0:40:16.658 "I want to start a program 0:40:17.089,0:40:19.649 for mindfulness[br]in hospitals" or something 0:40:19.828,0:40:22.878 and Thay would just say,[br]"Thay is in you." 0:40:23.660,0:40:25.842 Go ahead. Do it. 0:40:28.472,0:40:30.602 He had a lot of confidence in us. 0:40:31.823,0:40:37.253 And he gave himself to us.[br]His whole self, he held nothing back. 0:40:40.981,0:40:43.348 And I think, when we practice 0:40:44.462,0:40:47.872 we can feel that it's true.[br]That Thay is in us 0:40:48.577,0:40:50.201 when we practice. 0:40:53.627,0:40:54.997 So . . . 0:40:55.274,0:40:57.914 if we want to live like Thay 0:40:58.514,0:41:00.384 for these few days, 0:41:02.229,0:41:04.439 to make sure that Thay is really alive 0:41:04.614,0:41:06.404 in the community, in us, 0:41:09.714,0:41:11.364 I think it's very easy. 0:41:11.674,0:41:14.614 We just have to do[br]the things that Thay likes to do. 0:41:18.260,0:41:22.480 And not do the things[br]that would hurt Thay in us. 0:41:23.396,0:41:25.796 And I think we know what they are. 0:41:26.088,0:41:28.238 I think we can tell the difference. 0:41:29.434,0:41:31.484 That Thay is very sensitive. 0:41:33.480,0:41:36.650 And some things that we[br]might have a tendency to do, that 0:41:36.863,0:41:38.601 he would not do. 0:41:41.042,0:41:42.852 So we can ask ourselves, 0:41:45.037,0:41:46.974 or let him guide us. 0:41:51.417,0:41:54.687 That's very easy.[br]In the morning when we wake up 0:41:56.022,0:41:57.883 we can smile. 0:42:01.385,0:42:03.148 It's a real practice. 0:42:03.529,0:42:05.359 Waking up, this morning 0:42:06.027,0:42:07.407 I smiled. 0:42:08.536,0:42:10.278 It's not always easy. 0:42:12.871,0:42:17.130 And I need to remember[br]24 brand new hours are before me. 0:42:20.861,0:42:23.879 And to make the vow to live each moment 0:42:24.074,0:42:27.234 in mindfulness like Thay. 0:42:30.989,0:42:32.339 It's not easy 0:42:33.774,0:42:35.448 to really do it. 0:42:39.676,0:42:41.776 And to look at all beings 0:42:42.139,0:42:44.749 with the eyes of compassion, 0:42:45.906,0:42:47.356 like Thay. 0:42:49.442,0:42:52.652 Even Vladimir Putin. 0:42:57.059,0:42:58.659 Even the Russian soldiers 0:42:58.772,0:43:00.622 that are bombing civilians. 0:43:01.579,0:43:03.639 Thay didn't have enemies. 0:43:04.296,0:43:05.806 He didn't hate. 0:43:10.545,0:43:13.855 And that doesn't mean[br]that we condone the actions. 0:43:19.352,0:43:22.212 But if we don't want to[br]contribute to future wars, then 0:43:23.127,0:43:25.087 we cannot hate. 0:43:27.595,0:43:30.742 And we have to be very careful[br]in our way of consuming 0:43:30.959,0:43:32.309 the media. 0:43:32.513,0:43:35.173 Right now there's a lot in the media 0:43:35.732,0:43:37.511 of videos being shared of 0:43:37.679,0:43:40.269 Russian tanks being destroyed 0:43:41.647,0:43:43.697 by missiles. 0:43:44.117,0:43:46.277 And they're shared like it's 0:43:46.789,0:43:48.795 something to celebrate, 0:43:50.039,0:43:51.469 a victory. 0:43:52.370,0:43:54.169 Like it's in a video game. 0:43:56.384,0:44:00.552 And you see what people are commenting,[br]what they post on social media. 0:44:07.541,0:44:09.145 It's very hard to know 0:44:11.369,0:44:13.044 how to handle that. 0:44:15.803,0:44:17.433 Because of course 0:44:18.768,0:44:20.128 we . . . 0:44:22.971,0:44:24.985 we know that sometimes 0:44:25.817,0:44:27.893 the use of force is necessary. 0:44:30.235,0:44:31.956 Thay once said that 0:44:32.490,0:44:35.044 sometimes non-violence is violence. 0:44:37.270,0:44:40.980 If we could avoid the loss of life, 0:44:41.086,0:44:43.392 if we could protect civilians, 0:44:44.906,0:44:46.678 by the use of force, then 0:44:47.133,0:44:49.746 sometimes, we should. 0:44:50.807,0:44:52.767 And that is true non-violence. 0:44:52.878,0:44:54.488 But it's very hard. 0:44:56.802,0:45:01.171 And to do that we have to[br]have compassion in our hearts. 0:45:04.047,0:45:06.097 And we have to know that there are 0:45:06.652,0:45:09.012 young Russian men in those tanks, 0:45:09.320,0:45:11.270 who have been misled 0:45:12.446,0:45:13.820 and . . . 0:45:14.442,0:45:17.255 have been fed with a lot of propaganda 0:45:18.284,0:45:20.284 and they're dying too. 0:45:25.216,0:45:27.556 So, whatever we look at 0:45:28.174,0:45:32.374 let us be careful, how we consume it and 0:45:32.564,0:45:35.564 to always keep[br]compassion alive in our hearts. 0:45:40.931,0:45:43.921 To look at all beings[br]with the eyes of compassion, 0:45:47.466,0:45:49.573 even though they hold a gun. 0:46:00.180,0:46:02.723 And when we make tea 0:46:05.096,0:46:07.132 maybe while the water is boiling 0:46:07.903,0:46:10.589 my hand starts to twitch[br]and there's and impulse to 0:46:11.401,0:46:13.717 turn on the phone, check the news. 0:46:15.644,0:46:17.385 Would Thay do that? 0:46:18.034,0:46:19.845 I don't think so. 0:46:23.327,0:46:26.157 So we can notice the impulse, 0:46:27.049,0:46:29.339 the habit, that we've trained, 0:46:29.721,0:46:31.350 see it coming up, 0:46:31.927,0:46:33.597 and we don't have to act. 0:46:36.212,0:46:38.062 We can say, No, thank you. 0:46:39.118,0:46:40.732 I'm making my tea. 0:46:41.744,0:46:43.654 I'm going to enjoy my tea. 0:46:44.332,0:46:46.342 Like Thay. 0:46:48.160,0:46:50.810 And it's very interesting when you resist 0:46:50.963,0:46:53.647 an impulse, that you've trained 0:46:55.129,0:46:56.969 like checking your e-mail, 0:46:57.908,0:46:59.739 or looking at the news. 0:47:02.062,0:47:05.600 Because there may initially[br]be a feeling of discomfort, 0:47:05.747,0:47:07.167 it's unsatisfying. 0:47:07.577,0:47:09.730 You want to check and 0:47:09.849,0:47:12.369 now you're not[br]allowing yourself to check. 0:47:12.504,0:47:14.891 It's kind of uncomfortable, a little. 0:47:15.592,0:47:19.138 So it's very interesting to[br]notice that feeling in the body. 0:47:20.272,0:47:22.042 To allow it to be there, 0:47:23.286,0:47:24.656 to embrace it, 0:47:25.576,0:47:27.169 to smile to it, 0:47:28.392,0:47:30.181 to allow it to soften. 0:47:32.889,0:47:35.471 And actually, we can also cultivate 0:47:36.145,0:47:38.635 a feeling of profound joy. 0:47:42.239,0:47:44.761 Just by realizing that in that moment 0:47:45.254,0:47:47.034 I was not pushed. 0:47:50.135,0:47:52.465 I was able to say No. 0:47:53.398,0:47:54.878 No, thank you, 0:47:54.993,0:47:56.593 to this push. 0:47:58.679,0:48:00.979 And that is a feeling of triumph. 0:48:03.104,0:48:04.854 That is a feeling of joy. 0:48:06.455,0:48:08.305 A success in the practice. 0:48:08.414,0:48:09.904 To be able to stop 0:48:14.093,0:48:17.361 and take care of what ever[br]feeling of discomfort was 0:48:17.555,0:48:19.340 pushing us to act. 0:48:23.789,0:48:26.131 And then you can[br]make your tea in freedom. 0:48:26.850,0:48:28.390 And that is happiness. 0:48:29.706,0:48:31.367 When is the last time 0:48:31.998,0:48:35.278 you really savored a sip of tea 0:48:35.915,0:48:38.034 in total freedom. 0:48:40.864,0:48:43.422 When was the last time[br]you allowed a drop of tea 0:48:43.556,0:48:47.495 to roll on your tongue and[br]you could feel the cloud in your tea. 0:48:51.169,0:48:54.886 And enjoy the magic, the mystery, 0:48:55.086,0:48:57.353 the wonder of tea. 0:48:57.535,0:48:59.755 Water, the fragrance. 0:49:00.927,0:49:03.862 The coming together[br]of all the causes and conditions. 0:49:06.211,0:49:07.964 It's magical. 0:49:10.464,0:49:13.680 And Thay has taught us[br]very well how to enjoy a cup of tea. 0:49:14.018,0:49:16.398 We know exactly how to do it. And yet, 0:49:16.514,0:49:18.744 maybe we don't always do it. 0:49:19.910,0:49:21.550 So in these four days 0:49:22.527,0:49:24.729 let's see if we can. 0:49:30.012,0:49:32.811 We can become absorbed in the tea. 0:49:36.944,0:49:39.655 And then we go[br]to join the sitting meditation 0:49:44.071,0:49:46.851 and we know that Thay loved to breathe. 0:49:48.466,0:49:51.268 Thay knew exactly[br]how to enjoy his breathing. 0:49:52.462,0:49:54.462 So we can sit there, and say 0:49:57.487,0:49:59.463 Let Thay breathe. 0:50:00.561,0:50:02.291 I don't need to breathe. 0:50:06.984,0:50:08.564 And it's true. 0:50:16.659,0:50:19.191 Thay is breathing. 0:50:24.207,0:50:26.399 I just enjoy the breathing. 0:50:29.649,0:50:33.319 Thay knows how to breathe very well. 0:50:49.664,0:50:52.234 Thay is the breathing. 0:50:58.354,0:51:00.451 I am the breathing. 0:51:12.187,0:51:14.140 There is only breathing. 0:51:19.745,0:51:21.925 There is no 'breather.' 0:51:30.429,0:51:32.009 Peace, 0:51:33.003,0:51:34.663 while breathing. 0:51:40.783,0:51:43.979 Peace is the breathing. 0:51:58.964,0:52:00.497 This is something possible. 0:52:03.538,0:52:05.920 You can allow Thay to breathe for us. 0:52:06.435,0:52:08.561 And he can continue to teach us 0:52:11.570,0:52:13.186 how to enter concentration, 0:52:14.620,0:52:15.970 stillness. 0:52:16.973,0:52:18.658 How to be peace. 0:52:23.749,0:52:26.142 And then when we[br]go to make our breakfast 0:52:27.277,0:52:29.425 we can make our breakfast, like Thay. 0:52:29.784,0:52:33.014 Thay loved to make his breakfast. 0:52:35.359,0:52:37.218 And he wasn't in a hurry. 0:52:39.992,0:52:41.952 He didn't have to multi-task. 0:52:42.157,0:52:44.437 He didn't have to listen to a podcast 0:52:44.623,0:52:46.283 whilst making breakfast. 0:52:49.856,0:52:51.936 He didn't have to check his e-mail 0:52:52.070,0:52:53.650 whilst making breakfast. 0:52:59.983,0:53:02.363 So let's try, and do it like Thay. 0:53:02.500,0:53:04.980 Let's just do one thing at a time, 0:53:06.959,0:53:09.142 with ease, with freedom, 0:53:11.644,0:53:13.189 with joy. 0:53:14.611,0:53:16.916 And when we eat our breakfast 0:53:18.881,0:53:21.570 before putting the food[br]in your mouth you can 0:53:21.690,0:53:23.080 look at it. 0:53:23.288,0:53:24.969 Recognize it. 0:53:25.100,0:53:27.490 This is porridge. 0:53:29.036,0:53:31.395 Or this is a piece of apple. 0:53:34.138,0:53:36.278 Then we can touch gratitude. 0:53:38.591,0:53:40.211 We have food to eat. 0:53:40.403,0:53:42.033 Not everybody does. 0:53:44.774,0:53:46.634 It's already a wonder, 0:53:46.778,0:53:48.868 to have something in our bowl. 0:53:52.496,0:53:54.511 And when we take a spoonful of 0:53:54.598,0:53:56.078 porridge or cereal 0:53:57.109,0:53:59.268 and we can put our spoon down 0:53:59.636,0:54:01.196 and chew. 0:54:02.484,0:54:04.784 And wait until we have swallowed 0:54:04.935,0:54:06.875 before picking up our spoon. 0:54:08.068,0:54:09.698 It's a real practice. 0:54:14.487,0:54:17.430 And we invite Thay[br]to have breakfast with us. 0:54:19.420,0:54:23.320 It's a great honor[br]to eat breakfast with Thay. 0:54:23.600,0:54:25.378 And we can all do it. 0:54:25.586,0:54:27.104 It's wonderful. 0:54:27.650,0:54:29.830 There's plenty of Thay to go around. 0:54:30.123,0:54:31.763 There's no shortage. 0:54:36.804,0:54:39.104 Now we can listen to the dharma talk 0:54:39.586,0:54:42.285 with Thay's ears, and I know that Thay 0:54:44.414,0:54:46.803 will be so happy 0:54:46.905,0:54:49.205 to listen to Thay Phap Huu tomorrow, 0:54:49.377,0:54:51.437 and Sister Chan Duc on Saturday. 0:54:54.458,0:54:56.078 Thay will be so proud 0:54:57.714,0:55:00.264 to hear his students sharing the dharma. 0:55:03.772,0:55:06.082 And so we can listen with Thay's ears, 0:55:06.214,0:55:07.784 with Thay's heart, 0:55:08.175,0:55:09.676 with Thay's breath, 0:55:12.937,0:55:15.757 with Thay's concentration and stillness. 0:55:19.642,0:55:21.732 And then we can walk. 0:55:24.506,0:55:26.626 Hopefully each of us has 0:55:26.834,0:55:29.900 somewhere we can go[br]to practice walking meditation. 0:55:30.700,0:55:32.880 Whether it's in our yard, or 0:55:33.758,0:55:35.588 maybe just along the street, 0:55:35.819,0:55:37.389 or in a park, 0:55:39.055,0:55:40.825 or even just in our home. 0:55:43.169,0:55:45.759 And Thay taught us so well 0:55:45.888,0:55:47.391 how to walk. 0:55:48.347,0:55:50.167 How to walk in freedom. 0:55:52.496,0:55:54.756 How to arrive with every step. 0:55:58.709,0:56:01.279 Not to hurry towards our destination, 0:56:02.657,0:56:04.822 but to know that[br]our true destination is 0:56:05.188,0:56:06.618 this moment. 0:56:07.128,0:56:08.928 This step. 0:56:13.580,0:56:16.450 Now we can do that[br]where ever we have to walk 0:56:16.762,0:56:19.112 in our house, even from the bathroom 0:56:19.264,0:56:21.168 to the living room, or 0:56:21.493,0:56:23.422 as we walk around the kitchen. 0:56:24.613,0:56:27.250 We can take steps in freedom. 0:56:28.533,0:56:30.303 This is something possible. 0:56:36.532,0:56:39.012 And I know if we all do this together 0:56:39.143,0:56:41.656 it generates a powerful collective energy 0:56:41.760,0:56:43.570 and we support each other. 0:56:44.358,0:56:47.104 It's much easier to do it together 0:56:47.603,0:56:49.073 than alone. 0:56:58.037,0:57:00.567 We may have the[br]impulse to check the news 0:57:00.759,0:57:03.019 many times, coming up in the 0:57:03.608,0:57:06.029 spaces in between activities. 0:57:06.938,0:57:09.368 It's like, oh, I have some time 0:57:09.487,0:57:11.487 before the dharma sharing. 0:57:12.163,0:57:13.903 Let me just check the news. 0:57:16.923,0:57:19.191 And you can, if you want to. 0:57:20.838,0:57:24.228 But try to read the news like[br]Thay would read the news. 0:57:27.073,0:57:28.773 And we can ask ourselves 0:57:29.487,0:57:31.567 how much is enough? 0:57:33.327,0:57:35.902 How much do we need to take in? 0:57:38.140,0:57:41.330 And, can we give ourselves a break 0:57:43.506,0:57:45.076 for these few days. 0:57:45.185,0:57:47.892 It's up to you.[br]Each of us can make a decision. 0:57:51.094,0:57:54.024 But you may like[br]to set a timer on your phone. 0:57:54.228,0:57:56.355 To give yourself ten minutes. 0:57:58.584,0:58:00.654 If you really need to know, 0:58:02.633,0:58:05.547 I think ten minutes is enough.[br]Just to check in. 0:58:10.041,0:58:13.741 And then, when you[br]turn off the phone 0:58:17.332,0:58:19.152 it's very interesting to ask 0:58:19.382,0:58:20.922 What did I learn? 0:58:23.780,0:58:25.447 How do I feel? 0:58:27.855,0:58:29.285 Did it help? 0:58:31.802,0:58:33.437 Was it important? 0:58:34.350,0:58:37.074 What will I now do, as a result 0:58:37.985,0:58:39.952 of knowing this? 0:58:41.635,0:58:43.605 Is there anything I can do? 0:58:46.373,0:58:48.193 Was it important? 0:58:48.798,0:58:50.118 Really. 0:58:54.266,0:58:55.797 It's very interesting, 0:58:55.884,0:58:58.514 if you need to check, check, but then, 0:58:58.674,0:59:00.634 ask yourself afterwards 0:59:00.767,0:59:02.797 What did you learn? 0:59:03.942,0:59:05.805 Was it important? 0:59:07.691,0:59:09.091 And how do you feel? 0:59:09.284,0:59:11.184 How do you feel in your body? 0:59:14.723,0:59:17.173 And how often do you want to do that? 0:59:23.475,0:59:27.236 You may like to[br]install a bell of mindfulness 0:59:28.135,0:59:30.245 on your computer or your phone. 0:59:30.430,0:59:32.970 We have the wonderful Plum Village app. 0:59:33.253,0:59:35.773 You can set a bell to sound 0:59:37.810,0:59:39.710 every hour or every half hour 0:59:39.893,0:59:41.613 how ever often you want 0:59:43.799,0:59:47.069 and that is a practice[br]that Thay really enjoyed. 0:59:50.828,0:59:52.458 Stopping . . . 0:59:57.919,1:00:00.078 coming back to the present moment. 1:00:02.433,1:00:04.933 We can let the sound of the bell 1:00:06.766,1:00:08.690 be the voice 1:00:10.007,1:00:12.078 of Thay calling us back. 1:00:16.277,1:00:17.607 "Hello." 1:00:18.244,1:00:20.826 Would you like to breathe with me? 1:00:22.232,1:00:24.466 Would you like to rest, 1:00:26.777,1:00:28.107 to relax, 1:00:29.662,1:00:32.377 to take care of yourself in this moment. 1:00:34.207,1:00:36.607 To greet any stress or tension 1:00:36.857,1:00:39.407 or discomfort that may have arisen 1:00:39.545,1:00:41.536 with love and tenderness. 1:00:42.812,1:00:45.122 It's amazing, in one sound of the bell 1:00:45.205,1:00:47.819 you can do a[br]complete body scan if you want. 1:00:48.164,1:00:50.627 Just check.[br]How does your body feel? 1:00:50.764,1:00:53.574 Has any tension gathered anywhere? 1:00:56.135,1:00:57.680 It's very nice. 1:01:00.106,1:01:02.715 And when you brush[br]your teeth you can smile. 1:01:06.142,1:01:08.452 If you like, you can use the gatha. 1:01:11.832,1:01:13.422 Brushing my teeth 1:01:13.886,1:01:15.690 and rinsing my mouth 1:01:16.420,1:01:20.580 I vow to speak purely, lovingly. 1:01:25.394,1:01:28.534 When my mouth is purified, 1:01:28.660,1:01:30.690 is fragrant with loving speech 1:01:31.836,1:01:34.756 a flower blooms in the garden of my heart. 1:01:38.442,1:01:40.322 It's very interesting to check 1:01:40.608,1:01:42.108 if that's true. 1:01:43.939,1:01:46.279 I sometimes use that gatha to check 1:01:47.332,1:01:50.022 in that day, how was my speech? 1:01:50.565,1:01:51.975 Was it skillful? 1:01:52.885,1:01:54.607 Did I allow myself to be 1:01:57.929,1:01:59.548 aggressive or cynical? 1:02:00.061,1:02:02.411 Did I use humor to put someone down? 1:02:03.271,1:02:05.887 Did I lie?[br]Did I distort the truth? 1:02:09.578,1:02:11.658 Just to check; it's very interesting. 1:02:11.771,1:02:14.081 Once a day, or twice a day; to check 1:02:14.224,1:02:15.614 How is my speech? 1:02:15.781,1:02:18.297 And to notice that, when my speech 1:02:18.381,1:02:20.491 really was mindful and kind, 1:02:20.761,1:02:24.571 (breathing in) wow, yes. 1:02:26.821,1:02:28.181 I can feel 1:02:29.582,1:02:31.542 a flower blooms in my heart. 1:02:33.987,1:02:37.110 It's very wonderful to notice 1:02:38.354,1:02:40.509 when we haven't been unkind, 1:02:42.130,1:02:44.512 when we haven't been unfair, 1:02:46.345,1:02:49.053 when we haven't taken advantage of anyone. 1:02:50.564,1:02:52.578 When we've been generous. 1:02:55.672,1:02:57.434 When we've been loving. 1:03:00.548,1:03:04.176 And it's also, kind of[br]letting our ancestors know, 1:03:04.676,1:03:06.987 "Yeah, look! We're doing ok." 1:03:07.772,1:03:09.412 "It's good." 1:03:14.041,1:03:15.581 So we know that Thay 1:03:16.669,1:03:18.596 loved life. 1:03:19.913,1:03:22.654 He loved to do all these things. 1:03:24.767,1:03:27.418 And so it's very easy,[br]if we want to 1:03:28.071,1:03:29.828 live like Thay. 1:03:30.124,1:03:32.432 We just do the things that Thay loved. 1:03:34.023,1:03:36.844 You may like to stare at the moon. 1:03:38.978,1:03:41.788 And just become absorbed in the moon. 1:03:43.058,1:03:44.628 I remember one time 1:03:46.230,1:03:48.910 I was Thay's attendant[br]just for a few days, and 1:03:50.377,1:03:53.812 I was carrying Thay's bag[br]during the walking meditation. 1:03:55.756,1:03:59.118 And it was in a big retreat there,[br]many hundreds of people. 1:03:59.235,1:04:00.715 But he stopped, 1:04:01.049,1:04:03.419 and he turned to me with this huge grin 1:04:03.535,1:04:06.085 and he pointed at the trunk of a tree. 1:04:06.461,1:04:09.452 He said,[br]"It's so green!" 1:04:10.299,1:04:11.983 Because there was moss, 1:04:12.103,1:04:14.776 there was like beautiful emerald moss. 1:04:15.890,1:04:17.730 It was so green. 1:04:17.961,1:04:20.521 And Thay was just completely 1:04:21.701,1:04:24.009 absorbed with this moss. 1:04:24.878,1:04:27.408 And there were hundreds of people there 1:04:27.505,1:04:29.685 kind of like,[br]what's Thay doing? 1:04:29.903,1:04:31.876 (Whispering)[br]Why have we stopped? Where? 1:04:31.966,1:04:33.522 What's happening? 1:04:33.601,1:04:36.394 And Thay's just like,[br]"Look! It's so green!" 1:04:36.656,1:04:38.714 (Laughs) 1:04:38.822,1:04:40.822 So you can do that too. 1:04:41.382,1:04:43.680 You can fall in love with the moss. 1:04:45.119,1:04:47.665 You can say hello to every tiny flower 1:04:48.116,1:04:49.696 that crosses your way. 1:04:52.364,1:04:55.750 You can look at the blue sky[br]as if it's the first time. 1:05:06.132,1:05:08.114 And I think if we can do that 1:05:10.358,1:05:11.768 then . . . 1:05:12.695,1:05:14.255 Thay will be with us. 1:05:16.164,1:05:18.559 Thay will be alive. 1:05:20.763,1:05:23.041 And we will know what to do. 1:05:24.583,1:05:25.913 What not to do. 1:05:26.310,1:05:27.721 What to say, 1:05:28.406,1:05:30.096 and what not to say. 1:05:45.728,1:05:49.728 (Wake the bell - soft ring) 1:05:49.728,1:05:58.458 (Deep bell sound) 1:06:21.963,1:06:32.083 (Deep bell sound) 1:06:51.795,1:06:59.535 (Deep bell sound) 1:07:15.927,1:07:17.337 (Wake the mini-bell) 1:07:17.452,1:07:19.432 (Mini bell rings)