Thay’s journey to find you began when all species were still waiting for the sunlight, spanning many lifetimes and thousands of wandering paths. Teacher and student once sat together by the old pine tree watching the white clouds, crossed freezing snowy forests, sat in the Tu Son hermitage with the Great Being Truc Lam, went out to sea to rescue boat people, helped Zen Master Van Hanh design the Thang Long citadel, wove a thatched hut by the river, and cast a net to rescue Devadatta.

Even though the seed of the wanderer caused you to leave, Thay has always been present in every cell of your body, manifesting as a white cloud, the dew of Dharma Nectar, or a long ladder to shelter you in times of danger. Thay recognized you in many places such as the banks of the Seine, Gia Lam, New England, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Shanghai, Saint Petersburg, West Berlin, Kinh Bac, Ben Nghe, and the Thuan An estuary, and saw the Bodhi seed in your heart when you were only five years old.

Finally, you have returned to sit at Thay’s feet in the ancient mountain to put an end to the life of a wanderer. Thay is always in you, in every flower bud and leaf, and teacher and student have never been apart. Next is the practice of uncrossing the legs and massaging, followed by walking meditation in the mountains and forests of Deer Park.