Thầy delves into his experience as a novice monk practicing with gāthās, four verse poems in Classical Chinese, and how they can transform mundane activities and help sustain mindfulness throughout the day by being present to one’s breath during each activity undertaken. Thầy offers them to all as a daily practice to develop awareness and compassion. Thầy introduces the Sutra on Mindful Breathing and explains how, when we focus on the present moment, we can free ourselves from the prison of the past — from sufferings we experienced that still condition our lives — as well as from worries about the future yet to come. By doing so, we can recognize the many conditions of happiness already present in our lives and be happy in the here and now.

Thầy also answers two questions from the public about how to practice when feeling overwhelmed by too many things happening at the same time and how to be compassionate towards someone who is suffering so much they don’t want to be reached by our compassion.

The talk finishes with Sister Chân Không singing “I Smile to the Stars” in both French and English, in excellent audio quality.

This is a public talk given during the Netherlands Tour_in the year 2009. Thay offered this talk at the World Forum in Den Haag, in the Netherlands.