Thay teaches how a cultivated mind can bring a lot of happiness. How do we cultivate our minds? When we are practicing to come back to the here and now and touch the wonders of life with every in-breath and out-breath. And if we know how to release the tension in our body while breathing out, this is an act of compassion directed to our bodies. So compassion, love, understanding, happiness, enlightenment, everything is possible just with one in-breath or one step taken in mindfulness.

Mindfulness and concentration are the two kinds of energies that bring about insight. One important insight being how to transform suffering into happiness and the interbeing of all things.

Thay states his promise to be truly present for all activities during this retreat and encourages everyone to do the same.

This is the first talk in a series of five given during the Cultivating Happiness, family retreat in the year 2012. Thay offered this talk at The University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom.