This talk was offered at a month long insight meditation retreat, where most of the day is devoted to sitting and walking practice. The discussion acknowledges and explicitly points out the larger framework within which these meditations are done. It briefly reviews the 4 Noble Truths and the 8 Fold Path, especially focusing on Mundane Wise View and Wise Intention. These place in context, and inform, why and how these practices support the heart/mind in finding release.
May your struggles and sorrows be eased. May you hold yourself in great compassion. May you be safe and protected. May your heart be at peace. May your life be at peace.
Tonight I had planned to talk about Thich Nhat Hanh, the great and wise Zen master and teacher who died recently at age 95. But it seems critical to also acknowledge the grief of the war in Ukraine. As it says in the Buddhist teachings (and in other wisdom teachings), in this world, hatred never ceases by hatred, but by love alone is healed.
There has to be a better game than war for human beings. We have to look at the war within ourselves as well.
Thich Nhat Hanh’s instruction was to stop—stop making enemies.
Make prayers. Make blessings. This is our moral task.
