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Duy Bieu 24 (Bai Chot)

Thich Nhat Hanh · February 14, 1993 · Plum Village, France
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*In walking meditation, each step must be “truly on the earth,” wholeheartedly, not letting the mind float on the clouds:
– The secret is the quality of “lead” that keeps the body grounded, with each step, “I have arrived, I am home” (Je suis arrivé) to affirm complete presence.
– The meditation phrase “Now. Now. Now.” (Maintenant ou jamais) strengthens life in the present moment, liberates us from worries about the past and the future, and helps restore life, wisdom, and freedom.

In the study of mental formations and the practice of loving kindness, it is necessary to complete the existing list and practice the Four Immeasurable Minds:
– There are two traditions of classifying mental formations: the Dharmalakṣaṇa school divides them into 100 dharmas, the Abhidharma-kośa school into *75 dharmas
.
– The eleven wholesome mental formations listed are:

1. faith  
2. shame  
3. embarrassment  
4. non-greed  
5. non-hatred  
6. non-delusion  
7. diligence  
8. lightness  
9. equanimity in action  
10. non-laxity  
11. non-violence  

– “Non-violence” means not causing harm; it is necessary to further develop the mental formations of loving kindness, compassion, and joy to cultivate active love.
– The Four Immeasurable Minds—loving kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity—in essence are just one mind of love. True love must contain loving kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity, without discrimination, without attachment, and it begins with contemplating and understanding our own suffering and needs in order to open our hearts to all beings.

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