Thich Nhat Hanh, international peace activist and Zen Master Buddhist Monk, transitioned from this life on January 22, 2022 at Tu Hieu Temple, in Hue city, where he entered as a novice monk at the age of 16.
He was actively engaged in the movement to renew Vietnamese Buddhism in the early 1950s, even as a young monk.
Thich Nhat Hanh’s mission of opposing the war led to both North Vietnam and South Vietnam denying him to the right to return to either nation for decades. He was exiled for 39 years and was only given permission to return to his homeland of Vietnam in 2005. During his exile in France, his work from France exponentially grew internationally, from the seed of his caring for others’ suffering.
I cannot say he died, for ‘Thay’ believed, taught, and lived the truth of – no birth, no death…”I am a continuation, like the rain is a continuation of a cloud.” He tells a personal story of his suffering after his mother died. One night he dreamed of his mother and saw her sitting with him and having a wonderful talk. After his dream, he walked outside in the dark which was bathed in the full moonlight. Then he noticed his mother still walked with him, caressing him. It felt sweet and wonderful.
In this experience, he realized that each footstep he took contained a living continuation of his mother, father, grandparents and ancestors. They were “our feet,” not “his feet.” And from that experience, the idea that he had lost his mother no longer existed.
Peace is Every Step, is just one of his writings that led me to the practice of Mindfulness, quiet mind, and being in the present, compassionate listening. And other spiritual companions teach the beauty of this CREATIVE PRACTICE; Centering Prayer, Practicing the Presence; Yoga, Mindful Walking, Sitting, 12 Step Recovery, Reiki.
For awhile now, my quiet Mind has been lost; I have only short periods of quietness before the monkeys arrive. Personal and world-wide situations are all awhirl. Shouting and shaming are magnified. I approach the Lost and Found Department of Mind.
I wish to feel the holy monk’s footprints in my own as I peacefully and mindfully touch the earth, praise her beauty, and thank the skies for my present existence. I must be stepping in the mud – but I wait and believe in the glory of the lotus which also is present in this moment.
“Teaching is not done by talking alone It is done by how you live your life. My life is my teaching. My life is my message.” Thich Nhat Hahn
You taught us well, Thay
Napkinwriter 
Leave a Reply