We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track. If this problem persists help us by reporting it so we can investigate it.
Watch this talk
Login or create a free account to watch this talk and discover other teachings from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
Log in or create an account
Questions and Answers
Suffering and sadness are a natural and necessary part of life, not an enemy. When the seed of depression arises, we must first acknowledge, “Sadness is okay, suffering is okay,” instead of hastily trying to chase it away. Recognizing our pain and accepting it as the mud in the lotus garden gives us the conditions for the lotus—joy—to bloom. What is not okay is to be unaware of or to deny our suffering.
The practitioner knows how to use suffering as fertilizer for joy. Unlike those who do not practice and are drowned in their sorrow, the practitioner uses suffering as nourishment to transform. Secondly, do not think that sadness comes only from yourself: it may be “ancient sorrow,” a habit energy transmitted by our ancestors. When we can recognize these roots, suffering becomes a new source of vitality, especially for those with the affinity to practice or for artists who know how to “craft” happiness from melancholy.
The source of lasting joy is not outside, but lies in the daily practice of mindfulness. Through sitting meditation, walking meditation, and eating in silence, we discover the capacity to wake up in the midst of life, not swept away by turbulent emotions. This joy is deep and enduring, causing fear and anxiety to dissolve once we have recognized the spiritual path.