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
The Foundation of Despair, Anger and Discrimination
Dwelling in the refuge of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha opens the “path of light and beauty,” and breathing practices reveal how “father, mother, and all our ancestors are still alive in every cell of our body.” When we breathe in and smile, we invite them to breathe in; when we breathe out and smile, we invite them to breathe out—so that we’re never alone but carry all generations into the future.
Wrong perceptions—whether rooted in the body or in our views—are at the foundation of suffering, anger, and despair. To meditate is to “sit on the bank of the river of perception” and observe each drop of feeling, identifying its roots. In relationships, keeping communication alive allows us to help each other correct wrong perceptions through
- Deep Listening – listening with mindfulness and compassion so the other person can “empty their heart and suffer less,”
- Loving Speech (or right speech) – gently sharing our suffering and asking for help, without pride, to restore understanding.
Flower Watering, or Selective Watering, and the practice of Beginning Anew strengthen love and harmony:
• Selective Watering – intentionally water only the good seeds (joy, peace, forgiveness) in ourselves and others, refraining from watering negative seeds (anger, fear, irritation).
• Beginning Anew (weekly) – first water each other’s flowers, then share any suffering and ask for help, so misunderstandings can be cleared before they grow.
These practices can be applied in the family, workplace, and even in parliament—using mindful breathing, a bell of mindfulness, deep listening, and loving speech to remove wrong perceptions and restore peace.
