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Patriarch Nhất Định
The Noble Path, or Arya Magga, is the art of cultivating happiness and handling suffering, for happiness and suffering are always intertwined. Within us are seeds of suffering and happiness; when we water the seed of happiness, it sprouts and endures, otherwise it will wither quickly. When suffering is present, it needs to be handled gently, even transforming into mud to nourish the lotus flower. Every step on this path brings happiness and soothes deep suffering. The practices at Plum Village help us find happiness in each moment through mindfulness in daily activities:
- sitting
- walking
- lying down
- eating
- washing dishes
- sweeping the house
A gentle reminder for each morning upon waking is the gatha:
“Waking up, I smile,
Twenty-four brand new hours are before me.
I vow to live fully in each moment
And to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.”
This helps us cherish the gift of twenty-four fresh hours, to live mindfully and filled with love.
Happiness arises from mindfulness, concentration, and insight; it does not take long—just a few seconds of mindfulness and it is already present. King Tran Thai Tong once said, “Urinating is also the Dharma, defecating is also the Dharma,” a vivid testament to full presence in every action. When body and mind are in harmony, mindfulness brings the mind back to the body with each breath, and we are able to truly see, hear, and taste. Even chewing food thirty to fifty times in mindfulness is a profound way to nourish body and mind. Each gentle step, each light breath, each simple movement can be a miracle of happiness if we have insight and keep our mind present.