Remembering my teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh

How does one explain the power of simplicity  that can resolve the deepest  complications? How does one explain my reverence for the guru I never met , yet he lives in every breath I take?

Some 12 years ago, Providence led me to Mindfulness and Thich Nhat Hanh or Thay, the Father of Mindfulness. I was deeply impacted by his teachings so compassionately put together. I became more aware of all that the cosmos has gifted us to rejoice in and the innumerable reasons to feel gratitude and joy.

The practice of ‘Walking Meditation’ was just the brakes I needed to apply in my rushed life, to tread the earth in awareness, in sync with my breath. Like a child experiencing the miracle of walking for the first time, I paid attention to my limbs, ankles, feet, muscles and all physical and emotional accompaniments. ‘Eating Meditation’ made me rethink consumption. Sipping a cup of tea, I saw sunshine, rain, soil, birds, the breeze, the farmer, driver, retailer, cook all who had contributed in the being of that cup of tea. Do you see the cloud in your tea, my dear friend?

What appealed to me primarily about Thay’s Order of of Interbeing was the non- intellectualisation of his philosophy. At the forefront is the aspiration to be mindful all the time, being present in the here and the now, immersing oneself in the moment completely. It’s an intense living experience that comes from not being distracted from your actions and your position and thereby your intention.

In these times when religion seems to divide more than unite, I was completely taken in by the fact that I could continue to be a Hindu and yet be a follower of Thay’s Buddhist Mindfulness tenets. And that term ‘interbeing’ coined by Thay, recognises the interconnectedness of all things, shorn of othering, the concept dissipates much suffering.

Infused with  the gem of ‘Deep Listening’ which is truly and completely giving your undivided attention to the
one you converse with, hearing more than what language alone conveys and the seraphic term of ‘Interbeing’… Think! Think world peace, balance, think pristine forests, harmonious coexistence of all beings.

Thay authored many books but I delighted in the fact that even our two-year-old became a practitioner by simply focusing on her “in and out breath”. The accessibility, simplicity, most doable uncomplicated practices, love, support and encouragement of a sangha, all watered the good seeds in my being, keeping me on the path of inner transformation.

Soon I participated in organising ‘Mindfulness In Education’ retreats in Dehradun over the years for teachers from pan India, organised by Ahimsa Trust. I volunteered in 4 and watched skeptical policemen and teachers open their hearts sharing pain and fear uninhibitedly, which invariably lead to transformational healing.