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Nhat Hanh Zen Master: Every move is a ritual

Southern Biography characters 2024-08-18

Text/Nhat Hhat Zen Master

Let's imagine: there is a high wall, and standing at the top of the wall you can see far away. But there were no tools to climb to the top of the wall, only a thin line that hung from the top to the sides of the wall.

A wise person will put a thicker rope on one side of the thin line, and then go to the other side of the wall, pull down the thin line, and the rope will be pulled to this side of the wall. Then tie the end of the rope to a thick rope and drag the thick rope to the opposite side of the wall. When this thick rope hangs down to the root of the opposite wall and is secured, we can easily climb up the wall.

Every move is a ritual

Our breath is like that thin thread. But once we know how to use it, it can be a great tool to help us overcome situations that seem hopeless. Breathing is the bridge between the body and the mind, harmonizing the body and mind, so that the body and mind can be united. Breath is in harmony with the state of mind and body, it unites the body and mind, enlightens both body and mind, and brings peace and peace.

Many people and books have discussed the tremendous benefits of breathing correctly. They say that a person who knows how to breathe correctly knows how to increase infinite vitality; Breathing strengthens the lungs, keeps blood flowing and energizes every organ of the body. They also say that the right breath is more important than things. There is a lot of truth to these claims.

Years ago, I was very sick. After taking medicine and taking treatment for several years, the condition did not improve. So I went back to breathing, and thankfully, I was able to heal myself.

Breath is a tool, and breathing itself is mindfulness. While the use of the breath as a tool can be very beneficial, we should not treat these benefits as an end in itself. They are nothing more than a by-product of the awakening of the Ten Mindfulness.

In the small meditation classes for Vietnamese, there are many young people. I told them that if everybody meditated for an hour, of course it would be fine. But that's not enough. You also have to learn to practice meditation while walking, living, sitting, lying down, and working, even when washing your hands, washing dishes, mopping the floor, drinking tea, and chatting with friends.

Whatever you're doing, you have to practice meditation:

"When you're washing the dishes, you may want to have tea later, so finish the dishes as soon as possible so you can sit down for tea. However, that means you're not living in the moment when you're washing the dishes. When you wash dishes, washing them should be the most important thing in your life. When you drink tea, drinking tea is the most important thing in your life. When you go to the toilet, going to the toilet is the most important thing you do. ”

Just like that, chopping wood is Zen. Mindfulness should be maintained twenty-four hours a day, not just an hour of meditation, scripture reading, or prayer.

Be mindful in everything you do. Every move is a ceremony, a ceremony.

Raising a teacup to your lips is a ritual. Doesn't the word "ritual" seem too heavy? I use this word to remind you that "awareness" is a matter of life and death. (Source: "Sea of Wishes")

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