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Israeli Retreat no. 2 Questions & Answers

Thich Nhat Hanh · May 24, 1997 · Israel

Today is May 24, 1997, and we are on our last day of the retreat in our question and answer period.

We have meditated on the nature of no birth and no death of the sheet of paper, but how about a human being and the soul?
What does it mean for Jews to get back into their Judaism and tradition, and how deeply are you urging this recognition of a way of life that makes specific demands?
What can a woman with breast cancer do to suffer less from the fear and worries caused by her mother dying of the same illness?
If life is an ocean and a continuation of transformations, why try to go on living instead of dying?
What can be done about the negative emotions, prejudices, and political atmosphere in Israel, drawing from the experience of the work done in Vietnam?
Is eating slowly easier for thin people, and what should a large person do if they feel that eating slowly is killing them?
How can one feel compassion for a father who has consistently raped his daughter?
Is there any way to break the conditioning of one’s environment and family in order to maintain a mindful, balanced state of mind while living in Israel?
What is your advice for raising children in modern times when parents work and children watch many hours of television?
How can we deal with the hurts and wounds each side carries toward the other so that we can leave this retreat in peace?
Why have you not mentioned God and God’s consciousness during this teaching?

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Previous Talk May 24, 1997

Israeli Retreat No2 Dt

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Public Lecture, Tel Aviv: What Does "Action" Mean for a Peace Activist?

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Last day of the retreat and the Question-and-Answer period

00:03:33

If a sheet of paper has no birth and no death, what about a human being—what about the soul?

00:03:53

Thich Nhat Hanh

Question

00:04:13

Thich Nhat Hanh

Answer

00:04:45

00:05:18

00:05:57

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00:09:59

When you tell Jews to return to their roots, how deep should that return be?

00:10:22

Sangha Member

Question

00:10:55

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Thich Nhat Hanh

Answer

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A fifty-year-old woman with breast cancer fears dying like her mother—how can fear and suffering be eased?

00:21:04

Sangha Member

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00:21:50

Thich Nhat Hanh

Answer

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If life is endless transformation, why continue living—why not just die?

00:31:53

Sangha Member

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00:32:20

Thich Nhat Hanh

Answer

00:33:10

Surrounded by hatred and violent speech in Israel, what concrete path can transform collective energy?

00:33:46

Sangha Member

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Thich Nhat Hanh

Answer

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A large woman says eating slowly is killing her—how to practice mindful eating?

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Thich Nhat Hanh

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00:49:29

Thich Nhat Hanh

Answer

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How can I feel compassion for a father who raped his daughter?

00:55:18

Sangha Member

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00:56:01

Thich Nhat Hanh

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00:56:41

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Is it possible to break free from the powerful conditioning of place, family, and collective energy?

00:59:59

Sangha Member

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01:00:36

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Thich Nhat Hanh

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01:03:48

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01:07:13

A working mother worries her three children watch too much television—how to raise children mindfully today?

01:07:57

Sangha Member

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01:08:54

01:16:47

Thich Nhat Hanh

Answer

01:17:32

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Let us end with compassion rather than division—can we leave here in peace, not in pieces?

01:23:51

Sangha Member

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01:24:05

Sangha Member

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01:24:51

01:25:42

01:26:22

01:27:14

Thich Nhat Hanh

Answer

01:27:45

Why have you not mentioned God and God’s consciousness?

01:28:18

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01:32:36

Closing encouragement—build a Sangha and keep the practice alive

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Sangha Member

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Sangha Member

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Sangha Member

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