Watch this talk
Login or create a free account to watch this talk and discover other teachings from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
Mara is Love
The life faculty consists of rupa jivita (physical life faculty) and nama jivitindriya (mental life faculty): form (matter) and name (feeling, perception, mental formation, consciousness) are present as soon as the body is formed, inseparable from the life source of both mother and child. The boundary between sentient and insentient is not clear—a corn kernel, a speck of dust, a subatomic particle, or a cloud, a star, all contain vitality and consciousness, manifestations of a common life faculty of the universe.
Practicing mindfulness to live deeply, to generate peace and joy through three main activities:
- Breathing: when the bell sounds, breathe in for 4 seconds, breathe out for 6 seconds, for a total of 9 breaths; recognize each breath, let go of worries, generate mindfulness–concentration–insight.
- Walking meditation: each “legendary” step is connected with the breath, walking slowly (“slow walking”) to nourish joy, whether alone or with the sangha.
- Eating: mindfulness of rice and mindfulness of the sangha, chewing at least 30 times, maintaining mindfulness, savoring the gift of earth and sky and the sangha in every bite of rice.