[A sound of the bell.]

Dear Thay, I have read that the Buddha said we should live in joy and peace even when we are with people who are suffering and sad. Can you help me understand how to do this?

Please repeat.

Dear Thay, dear Sangha, if I have understood the question correctly, it is that the Buddha taught us to live in joy and in peace, even when those around us are experiencing suffering and afflictions. And our friend is asking how to do this, how to live in joy.

When everyone is suffering.

A person who does not know how to swim cannot save those who are drowning. In the same way, someone who is deeply suffering cannot truly help others. That is why we must cultivate joy and peace within ourselves, so that we are able to help others. There are ways of living, methods of practice, that can help us to touch joy and peace. If a doctor suffers just as much as his patients, he will not be able to help them suffer less. The doctor is not required to suffer with his patients. If he suffers just like them, he cannot help them. So we must learn not to be overwhelmed by suffering, to have some peace, some happiness within ourselves, in order to be able to help those around us.

When we practice mindful breathing, we can calm our pain and our sorrow. When we practice walking meditation, we can also calm ourselves and suffer less. By doing these things, we can generate a feeling of well-being, of joy and happiness. This is something possible, right here and now. If you truly wish to help others suffer less, you must begin with this practice, so that you do not suffer too much, so that you have some peace and joy within yourself, and then you can help those around you. It is simple. Thank you for the question.