Songs / The Island Within (Orchestral)

“The Island Within” is one of Thich Nhat Hanh’s cherished meditation texts – a guided meditation on taking refuge in our own “island within” – a safe place we can always come back to, where we are protected by our practice of mindfulness, aware of our breath and aware of the sensations and feelings in our body.

This musical setting of the text was written during the 2020 Rains Retreat, in Plum Village, France. And recorded non-locally, with the generous support of our musician friends from around the world.

The Island Within

With this breath, I return
To the island within
As an island unto myself
Buddha is my mindfulness
Shining near and far
Dharma is my breathing
Guarding body and mind
I am free
I am free
With this breath, I return
To the island within
As an island unto myself
Sangha is my five skandhas
Flowing, flowing as one
Taking refuge in myself
Coming back to myself
I am free
I am free
I am free
I am free

You can help us caption and transcribe this video on Amara

— Discover more...

Touching Peace | An Evening With Thich Nhat Hanh

A lovely public talk by Thay offered in Berkeley, California, in the late 1980’s, introduced by poet and environmental activist Joanna Macy. You can support us by: – donating: https://plumvillage.org/support – helping to caption & translate: https://amara.org/en/profiles/videos/plumvillage/ or http://www.youtube.com/timedtext_cs_panel?tab=2&c=UCcv7KJIAsiddB2YRegvrF7g Help us caption & translate this video! https://amara.org/v/lNJg/

Thich Nhat Hanh

October 19, 1993

Thich Nhat Hanh, interview Part 2 | Ram Dass Channel

Ram Dass interviews Thich Nhat Hanh at State of the Wold forum. Thich Nhat Hanh talks about using mindfulness to take tender loving care of our anger. Being aware and mindful of our breathing helps us to take good care of our emotions. Our anger is like a flower...

Thich Nhat Hanh

October 1, 1995

Thich Nhat Hanh, interview Part 1 | Ram Dass Channel

Ram Dass interviews Thich Nhat Hanh at State of the Wold forum. Thich Nhat Hanh talks about using mindfulness to take tender loving care of our anger. Being aware and mindful of our breathing helps us to take good care of our emotions. Our anger is like a flower...

Thich Nhat Hanh

October 1, 1995

Join the conversation

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

0 Sharings
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

/ Register

Hide Transcript

What is Mindfulness

Thich Nhat Hanh January 15, 2020

00:00 / 00:00
Show Hide Transcript Close