Thầy explains that the practice in Plum Village is to be happy at every moment, not losing ourselves in the past or in the future. By practicing mindful breathing, we can enjoy the miracle of being alive. He develops the teachings on non-self, impermanence, and interbeing, using a seed of corn as an example of how we are a continuous manifestation of our ancestors. Thầy elucidates the interbeing nature of parents and children. In order to have peace, we must practice to reconcile with our parents within us, and Thầy guides us on how we can meditate to do that.

This is the first part of the final talk in a series of thirteen given during the Summer Opening in the year 2008. Thầy offered this talk at the Lower Hamlet, Plum Village, France.