There is much that we can do with our simple, daily, human lives to help awaken our own consciousness and therefore contribute to the wellbeing of our collective global consciousness. Yes, there is much suffering in the world in war, over consumption, global warming, and bipartisan political anger, just to touch on some of our wordly confusion. However, if we can find the courage to slow down and mindfully remember what truly makes a human being thrive, then we have real seeds that we can plant and nurture in our lives and therefore nurture within the global community.
If not now, then when? If not us, then who?
Here is a wonderful reading from Thich Nhat Hanh that will inspire us to keep moving toward what we know is real and valuable.
Community of Mindful Living, from the book Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh
"The foundation of a good community is a daily life that is joyful and happy. In Plum Village, children are the center of attention. Each adult is responsible for helping the children be happy, because we know that if the children are happy, it is easy for the adults to be happy.
When I was a child, families were bigger. Parents, cousins, uncles, aunts, grandparents, and children all lived together. The houses were surrounded by trees where we could hang hammocks and organize picnics. In those times, people did not have many of the problems we have today. Now our families are very small, just mother, father , and one or two children. When the parents have a problem, the whole family feels the effects. Even if the children go into the bathroom to try to get away, they can feel the heavy atmosphere. They may grow up with seeds of suffering and never be truly happy. Formerly when mom and dad had problems, the children could escape by going to an aunt or uncle, or other family member. They still had someone to look up to, and the atmosphere was not so threatening.
I think that communities of mindful living, where we can visit a network of "aunts, uncles, and cousins" may help us replace our former big families. Each of us needs to "belong to" such a place, where each feature of the landscape, the sounds of the bell, and even the buildings are designed to remind us to return to awareness. I imagine that there will be beautiful practice centers where regular retreats will be organized, and individuals and families will go there to learn and practice the art of mindful living.
The people who live there should emanate peace and freshness, the fruits of living in awareness. They will be like beautiful trees, and the visitors will want to come and sit under their shade. Even when they cannot actually visit, they only need to think of it and smile, and they will feel themselves becoming peaceful and happy. "
If not now, then when? If not us, then who?
Here is a wonderful reading from Thich Nhat Hanh that will inspire us to keep moving toward what we know is real and valuable.
Community of Mindful Living, from the book Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh
"The foundation of a good community is a daily life that is joyful and happy. In Plum Village, children are the center of attention. Each adult is responsible for helping the children be happy, because we know that if the children are happy, it is easy for the adults to be happy.
When I was a child, families were bigger. Parents, cousins, uncles, aunts, grandparents, and children all lived together. The houses were surrounded by trees where we could hang hammocks and organize picnics. In those times, people did not have many of the problems we have today. Now our families are very small, just mother, father , and one or two children. When the parents have a problem, the whole family feels the effects. Even if the children go into the bathroom to try to get away, they can feel the heavy atmosphere. They may grow up with seeds of suffering and never be truly happy. Formerly when mom and dad had problems, the children could escape by going to an aunt or uncle, or other family member. They still had someone to look up to, and the atmosphere was not so threatening.
I think that communities of mindful living, where we can visit a network of "aunts, uncles, and cousins" may help us replace our former big families. Each of us needs to "belong to" such a place, where each feature of the landscape, the sounds of the bell, and even the buildings are designed to remind us to return to awareness. I imagine that there will be beautiful practice centers where regular retreats will be organized, and individuals and families will go there to learn and practice the art of mindful living.
The people who live there should emanate peace and freshness, the fruits of living in awareness. They will be like beautiful trees, and the visitors will want to come and sit under their shade. Even when they cannot actually visit, they only need to think of it and smile, and they will feel themselves becoming peaceful and happy. "
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