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Mindfulness as the Path to Freedom and Healing
This title has been reviewed for accuracy.
Thầy reminds us that we all have the choice of dwelling in hell—where we are burned by the fire of our anger, despair and afflictions—or of dwelling in the Pure Land where we enjoy well-being, solidity and freedom. He says that a Sangha can be like a mini-Pure Land where people can come and touch the wonders of life in a space that is refreshing and healing.
Because many of us are sick in body and consciousness, we need therapy and the Buddha is like a therapist who can teach us how to create an environment for ourselves and others where we get the support we need to work for transformation and healing. Like the Buddha, professional therapists and spiritual guides in Sanghas can cultivate healing environments like the Buddha’s nurturing spaces.
With mindfulness, we learn what is not wrong with us as well as what is wrong with us. We learn the practice of the second body. We learn the practice of walking mindfully. We learn the practice of mindful consumption, recognizing toxins from conversations, media, and thoughts as well as the things we eat and drink. We learn mindfulness of breathing as taught in Buddha’s Ānāpānasati-sutta, The Sixteen Exercises for Transformation and Healing. With mindfulness we learn to stop excessive thinking in order to focus on the present. We learn to embrace positivity amidst our difficulties.
This the sixth talk in a series of eighteen given during the Summer Opening in the year 1998. Thầy offered this talk at the Upper Hamlet, Plum Village, France.