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Nourishing the Inner Buddha: Healing through Mindful Self-Dialogue

Thich Nhat Hanh · December 6, 1998 · Plum Village, France

Nourishment and healing are the two elements sought at a practice center, and they inter-are; proper nourishment leads to natural healing, and effective healing requires good nourishment. Those without significant suffering come to enjoy the Sangha and receive nourishment to strengthen their body and consciousness, creating a solid base to resist the negative invasions of daily life. Those who suffer deeply come for healing and to learn methods to calm down, yet this therapy must be accompanied by nourishment to be long-lasting and effective.

It is a wrong perception to believe that everyone else is joyful and problem-free except for oneself. It is not necessary to wait until all negative things vanish or for perfect health to be peaceful, happy, and helpful; it depends on the way of looking and living in peace with the imperfections in the body and consciousness. We are often the person who makes ourselves suffer the most, not the situation or other people, because we do not know how to handle our fear, jealousy, and despair.

Instead of relying solely on external doctors or teachers, one must see the healer and the Buddha within. The Buddha is the capacity to be mindful in the here and now. The practice involves addressing this internal presence by saying, “Dear Buddha, I suffer.” The Buddha replies, “Show me your suffering,” and you respond, “Here is my suffering.” This can be done by talking in silence or writing a letter to the Buddha to identify and express the pain. Looking deeply into the nature of suffering reveals its roots, which often stem from a lack of understanding of reality.