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The Art of Suffering: Transforming Pain into Peace and Joy
If you know how to suffer, you suffer much less. Thich Nhat Hanh explains how to make good use of suffering, learning the art of suffering in order to create understanding, compassion, love, and happiness. It is like the mud and the lotus flower; a good gardener knows how to make good use of the mud. Rather than running away from suffering, learning to be in touch with it, embrace it, and look directly into it has the power to heal. The cessation of suffering is in suffering itself. By having the capacity to listen to our own suffering and understanding it, we suffer less.
Even the Buddha was a human and suffered. In just one week, we can know the art of suffering in order to generate joy and happiness. There is a usefulness to suffering. We are always trying to run away from suffering, often using consumption as an escape. The Buddha teaches us to do the opposite. Do you have time to look deeply at your suffering and the suffering of others? Can we listen to the suffering in the world and inside ourselves?
Thay explains the chant of Namo Avalokiteshvara, which is about listening to suffering. Its energy can also heal your suffering. The practice of hearing the bell allows all our cells and ancestors to listen with us, which is deep listening. We listen as a stream and practice for everyone.
In the second part of the talk, Thay explains how to invite the bell of mindfulness, a practice that brings peace and happiness right away. It reminds you to live deeply every moment, in the here and now. Walking mindfully is an easy way to live deeply every moment. Walking quickly is a habit transmitted by our ancestors. When you run, you miss the now. Walking mindfully heals and nourishes you. You are solid, you arrive at every step. If everybody does the same, the collective energy is powerful and brings peace. Breathing in and out mindfully, you enjoy walking and arrive home, in the here and now.
Thich Nhat Hanh also talks about how to generate a feeling of joy anytime you want, understanding the suffering in other human beings, and making breakfast mindfully with joy. The Kingdom of God is available every day through the practice of mindful breathing and mindful walking. The ups and downs in the ocean should not alter the joy of being sacred water.
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