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Touching Our Ancestors
In this talk, Thay recalls eight basic meditation phrases to practice mindfulness, helping us “return to the present moment” and touch the wonders of life:
- I have arrived – I am home
- Now – Here
- Solid – Free
- I take refuge – I go back
When breathing in, breathing out, or during walking meditation (taking 2–3 steps), repeating these phrases about 10–30 times helps us to fully dwell in “now, here,” to transcend the past and the future, to nourish inner freedom, just like “coming home” in each moment.
In addition, Thay affirms that each person needs to have strong roots in two families:
- The blood family (grandparents, parents, ancestral altar, the full-moon offering in the seventh month…)
- The spiritual family (the Buddha, ancestral teachers, one’s teacher, the tradition of practice)
Without roots, one becomes a “hungry ghost” (wandering spirit), losing faith and feeling lost. Maintaining ancestral rituals, visiting the temple monthly, keeping in touch with one’s teacher, and practicing meditation help to restore and deepen those roots, bringing peace, freedom, and well-being to body and mind.