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UC Santa Barabara - Vietnamese Retreat
Today’s talk begins by reminding us that each minute of our life is precious—especially as we approach the year 2000—and invites us to bring mindfulness back into every simple act. Whether brushing our teeth, taking a shower, cooking in the kitchen, or even using the toilet, we can transform each moment into a practice of peace, joy, and presence. Mindfulness is like having actor and observer in one: we breathe in, we acknowledge without judgment, “I am brushing my teeth,” “I am breathing in a short breath,” and so on, allowing us to taste life fully, here and now.
Thay then shows how to cultivate the seeds of happiness, compassion, and understanding already within us—tu or bhavana—by tending our inner “soil” with daily practices of breathing, smiling, walking, and sitting meditation. He points out that the Pure Land or Kingdom of God is not a distant realm but our lived experience whenever we bring compassion and freedom into our hearts. Finally, he highlights the arts of compassionate listening and loving speech—especially within our families—as essential skills to heal misunderstandings and nurture loving connections.
