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Understanding Our Mind
A mind that is well-trained through meditation can bring immense happiness, while an untrained mind causes great suffering. Meditation—especially the basic practice of mindful breathing and mindful walking—is training the mind to return “home” to the body, anchoring us in the here and the now where life’s wonders are available. Habit energies (strong patterns of thought and reaction) arise from store consciousness as seeds of anger, fear, or joy; when touched, they manifest in mind consciousness. Mindfulness, when it surfaces alongside anger or any unwholesome seed, recognizes it (“Breathing in, I know anger has manifested in me”), embraces it tenderly, and prevents it from overwhelming us, even transforming anger into compassion.
True defense against violence lies in seeing the attacker also as a victim of anger, fear, and wrong perceptions—defending oneself with the energy of compassion not only protects us but can save them as well. Understanding that wrong perceptions are at the root of aggression and terrorism, Thầy stresses the urgent need for deep listening and loving speech—offering compassionate attention to sufferers and would-be perpetrators alike—to remove those perceptions. He emphasizes mindful consumption (choosing what we watch, read, and hear) so we stop “watering” seeds of violence and fear in ourselves, and selective watering of wholesome seeds—compassion, non-discrimination, joy, love—to cultivate lasting happiness and collective healing.
Key practices:
- Mindful breathing & walking: return to breath/body to be fully present.
- Bell of mindfulness: at each ring, stop and take at least nine mindful breaths to relax and heal.
- Recognizing & embracing habit energies: note when anger, fear, or craving arise and tenderly acknowledge them.
- Selective watering & mindful consumption: avoid inputs that feed unwholesome seeds; nourish seeds of compassion, understanding, joy.
