Language

Watch this talk

Login or create a free account to watch this talk and discover other teachings from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.

The title, description and transcript may contain inaccuracies.
Tech notes: no sound for some time after 1hr30. short audio and image missing at 00h35m57s

Touching Peace and the Non-Toothache

Thich Nhat Hanh · January 1, 1992 · Zurich, Switzerland
Feedback

Peace is well-being, harmony, and calm, and it is present to some extent inside and around us. The art of touching peace is essential; without the ability to touch it, its existence offers no benefit. This practice involves mindful touching of the body, such as the eyes, heart, and liver. Acknowledging these organs reveals that they are still in good condition, which is an insight that serves as a source of joy. The Buddha advised touching thirty-six parts of the body to maintain this awareness. One must also learn to recognize and enjoy the “non-toothache,” a pleasant feeling of well-being that is often ignored until pain arises. Without the capacity to enjoy peace, one becomes bored and seeks out the “war” found in violent entertainment, watering seeds of fear and violence within.

Consciousness is described by the Sanskrit term sarvabījaka, meaning the totality of seeds, containing both seeds of suffering and seeds of happiness. The practice of peace involves refraining from watering negative seeds and actively watering good seeds daily through mindful consumption and conversation. The beating of Rodney King illustrates how the seed of fear is cultivated in police training, creating a collective consciousness of violence that leads to war. To counter this, daily activities like eating a piece of bread or walking must be done in mindfulness, bringing one back to the present moment. This is the only time life, peace, and the Kingdom of God are available. As illustrated by the story of the prisoner in Albert Camus’ L’Étranger, living without awareness of the present moment is akin to being a dead person.

To transform suffering, one must first be nourished by touching refreshing, healing elements to gain strength. Mindfulness operates in the spirit of non-duality; there is no fighting against anger or fear. Like a mother embracing a crying baby, the energy of mindfulness penetrates, calms, and transforms painful feelings, similar to sunshine entering a flower to open it. The principle of interbeing teaches that flowers are made of non-flower elements, including compost; garbage can be transformed back into flowers, and flowers can become garbage. A Buddha is not someone without garbage, but someone who has mastered the art of transformation. Therapists and practitioners require a Sangha to sustain this practice and generate the energy necessary to embrace suffering without being overwhelmed.

read more

Part of the following collection

161 videos
250h 41m

Recently Added Talks

Curated by Jonas Czech
Previous Talk December 29, 1991
19m

Ten-Day New Year Practice: Welcoming Maitreya through Non-Self Reflection

Next Talk January 2, 1992
1h 43m

Mahayana Tripitaka - Northern Transmission 19 - The Lotus Sutra