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Finding the Kingdom in a Piece of Toast

Thich Nhat Hanh · June 15, 2010 · EAIB, Germany · Audio Only
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The practice generates the energy of mindfulness and concentration, enabling the recognition and transformation of pain and sorrow. When drinking tea or eating breakfast, the mind and body unite to be fully present in the here and the now, free from the past, future, and projects. By looking mindfully at a piece of toast, one sees the cloud, sunshine, soil, and farmer, realizing that the whole cosmos has come together to provide nourishment. Eating with this awareness makes freedom possible, while the collective energy of the Sangha supports individual practice like a formation of birds flying together.

Noble Silence is observed as a powerful, eloquent energy that allows for full investment in breathing and walking. Mindful walking serves as a way to arrive in the present moment, the only time life is available. Whether practicing slow walking with one step per breath to arrive one hundred percent, or using a rhythm of steps such as 2-3, the walk should be pleasant and healing. This solidity and freedom allow the Kingdom of God or the Pure Land to manifest immediately; like a wave that is already water, there is no need to search outside, for the Kingdom is within.

Listening to the Dharma is akin to rain penetrating the soil of the heart, touching existing seeds of wisdom and compassion without the interference of the intellect. Meditation is not an extraordinary or magical pursuit but the simple application of awareness to prevent the consciousness from scattering. Real meditation extends beyond the sitting hall into daily tasks; cleaning the toilet or brushing teeth with full presence and without rushing constitutes the true practice, transforming the energy of awareness into concentration and understanding.

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