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The Art Of Communicating - Medium Playlist

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How can we truly understand one another and ourselves in an age of digital noise and global division?

Inspired by Thích Nhất Hạnh’s book of the same name, this playlist invites you to journey more deeply into the heart of compassionate communication. Together, we’ll explore the art of listening to ourselves, the link between right speech and deep listening, and how our words, thoughts, and actions weave the karma of our daily lives.

If you’d like a lighter introduction explore the playlist menu for a short version designed to meet you where you are.

Last update November 1, 2025
5m
Chapter May 22, 2011 • English
The Art of Mindful Communication
From the talk "Die Kunst Der Achtsamen Kommunikation" by Thich Nhat Hanh
5m
Chapter June 17, 2002 • English
Communication and Healing
From the talk "Peace Begins in Us, Begin Anew" by Thich Nhat Hanh
7m
Chapter May 19, 1997 • English
Breathing as a Gateway to Peace
From the talk "Public Talk Tel Aviv: Being Peace is the Ground for Making Peace" by Thich Nhat Hanh, Sister Chân Không, Sangha Member
12m
Chapter May 22, 1997 • English
Uniting Body and Mind Through Breath
From the talk "Israeli Retreat No2 1st Talk" by Thich Nhat Hanh
8m
Chapter November 18, 1999 • Vietnamese
Natural Breathing and Simple Recognition
From the talk "Living Nirvana in the Breath" by Thich Nhat Hanh
7m
Chapter July 24, 1998 • French
Restoring Communication
From the talk "Tranquility and Healing through Mindfulness and the Sangha" by Thich Nhat Hanh
6m
Chapter March 1, 1999 • English
The Practice of Deep Listening
From the talk "The Mind of Transformation - Combining Ethics and Meditation - London March 99" by Thich Nhat Hanh
4m
Chapter August 11, 2011 • English
The Power of Loving Speech
From the talk "Miracles of Reconciliation" by Thich Nhat Hanh
9m
Chapter August 9, 1994 • English
The Interconnectedness of Right Speech and Deep Listening
From the talk "Awakening Happiness: The Path of Mindfulness and Love" by Thich Nhat Hanh
10m
Chapter October 3, 1999 • Vietnamese
The Three Mantras for Renewing Relationships
From the talk "VN retreat GDPT day 2 (talk)" by Thich Nhat Hanh
8m
Chapter October 3, 1999 • Vietnamese
Daring to Need Each Other – The Foundation of True Love
From the talk "VN retreat GDPT day 2 (talk)" by Thich Nhat Hanh
8m
Chapter July 23, 1992 • English
Mindful Communication and Reconciliation
From the talk "Mindful Living for Peace and Harmony" by Thich Nhat Hanh
7m
Chapter January 24, 1999 • English
The Foundation of Communication in Healing Anger
From the talk "Anger, Loving Speech & Deep Listening" by Thich Nhat Hanh
5m
Chapter December 27, 2009 • English
Building Community through Deep Listening and Loving Speech
From the talk "Nourish Your Dharma Body Through Daily Activities" by Thich Nhat Hanh
46m
Thich Nhat Hanh July 20, 2014 • English

Our Karma

During the 2014 summer retreat, our teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh teaches on how to practice with the Plum Village gatha, “I have arrived, I am home, In the here and in the now. I am solid, I am free, In the ultimate I dwell.”

When you produce a thought of non-discrimination, understanding and compassion, you begin to heal yourself and the world. Every thought you produce bears your signature; you are responsible for your action. A thought is an energy, an action, and according to the Law of Conservation, no energy is lost. That thought continues in you. That is why in your practice it is important to produce good thoughts, thoughts of non-discrimination, compassion, and understanding. You assure a beautiful continuation.

The second kind of action is speech. When we are able to say something or write a letter with non-discrimination, compassion, understanding, and forgiveness, you heal yourself and you heal the other persons. You give them hope. We practice to produce the kind of speech that can heal, that can reconcile.

The third kind of action is bodily action. Eating, drinking, having a job belong to the realm of bodily action. Every act of yours should be right action. Right action is characterized by non-discrimination, compassion, and understanding. We are the totality of our body, speech, and mind action.

From the Assembly of Stars Meditation Hall at Lower Hamlet, Plum Village, this short 45-minute talk on July 20, 2014, is in English with a focus on our action. What is man? What Sartre said is very close to Buddhist teachings. Action. Karma. There are three aspects. (1) Thinking. Your thought is an action. It is an energy. We practice in such a way so to produce good thoughts. (2) Speaking. This is the second form of action. Words can kill and destroy or bring beauty and full of non-discrimination, understanding, and forgiveness. We should produce speech that can heal. (3) Body action. Acting. With our body, we can help with our efforts. How we consume. Are the totality of our thoughts, speech, and action.

Mindfulness can shed light on our action. When we walk with the sangha, we are using these three aspects. We can be fully concentrated in our steps with these three aspects to arrive fully in the here and now. I have arrived. And we see we have enough conditions to be happy. Arriving 100% in the here and the now with concentration. How do we enjoy life in the present moment? With our next step, we can say “I am home.”

I have arrived.
I am home.
I am solid.
I am free.
In the ultimate I dwell.

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