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Invisible Umbilical Cords and the Island of Self

Thich Nhat Hanh · March 22, 2010 · Italy · Audio Only
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Life begins in the womb, a “palace of the child” where there is no fear and no desire, only comfort. The mother breathes, eats, and drinks for the baby through the umbilical cord, and her happiness and mindfulness directly nourish the child. Birth cuts this physical link, introducing the struggle to breathe and the sensation of being entirely helpless. This moment births the original fear of dying and the original desire for someone to provide care. Although we grow into adults, this helpless child remains alive within us; the search for a partner is often a continuation of the desire for a substitute parent to provide safety. Meditation reveals that while the physical cord is cut, invisible umbilical cords continue to link us to the sun, the river, the forest, and the farmer, without whom survival is impossible.

To transform the original fear, one must take the time to talk to the wounded, helpless child inside. By assuming the role of the adult self, we reassure the child that we now have strong hands and feet, are no longer vulnerable, and can protect ourselves. True security does not come from another person, but from taking refuge in the Three Jewels:

  • The Buddha: The energy of mindfulness and the inherent capacity to understand and love.
  • The Dharma: The living practice of mindful breathing and walking that calms the body and releases tension.
  • The Sangha: The harmony of the five skandhas: body, feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness.

The Buddha taught that one should not take refuge outside of oneself but return to the Island of Self (Attadipa). This is practiced through a specific gatha: “Buddha is my mindfulness, shining near and shining far. Dharma is my mindful breathing. Sangha is my five skandhas.” When the five skandhas operate in harmony through the energy of the living Dharma, fear and despair are transformed. This practice is concretely expressed through the Five Mindfulness Trainings, which represent the path of the Buddha, the Four Noble Truths, and the Noble Eightfold Path, serving as a contribution to a global ethic.

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