We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track. If this problem persists help us by reporting it so we can investigate it.
Watch this talk
Login or create a free account to watch this talk and discover other teachings from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
Log in or create an account
Writing Letters and Other Means to Insight
The Sutra on Mindful Breathing - Exercises Thirteen to Fifteen
Thay continues with the sixteen exercises of Mindful Breathing, going more deeply into the profound practice of writing a letter to a suicide bomber in order to skilfully remove wrong perceptions. Thay shares that removing wrong perceptions is working for peace and advises the organization of televised deep listening sessions at the national level first followed by a widening to the international level, including other countries like Afghanistan, Iraq and the Middle East. Thay speaks about the universal desire within all beings for continuation. Everyone wants to continue, including the monks and nuns. We are encouraged to look more deeply to see other ways of ensuring our continuation e.g. for monastics continuing through their disciples. When we become aware that other ways of continuation are possible, then our sexual desire becomes less important. Thay identifies the base of all our complexes as an attachment to our idea and belief in a separate self. A deep understanding and insight into non-self is at the root of the practice.
This is the sixth talk in a series of fourteen given during The Breath of the Buddha, twenty-one-day retreat in the year 2006. Thay offered this talk in the New Hamlet, Plum Village, France.
Part of the following collections
Removing Wrong Perceptions is Enlightenment - An Everyday Practice