Thich Nhat Hanh and the Essense of Mindfulness
What is the best time to do each thing?
Who are the most important people to work with?
What is the most important thing to do at all times?
Whether we know it or not, these are questions every human asks themself every day. As we move through our lives we are choosing our routines, our circle of friends, prioritizing our work, and our fun. Constantly trying to decipher the next best move. It is easy to get caught up in the planning and the goal setting, as we have learned that these are the keys to cultivating success in our lives.
The author of the above quotes is a man by the name of Thich Nhat Hanh. Hanh is a world-renowned zen master, Buddhist monk, peace activist, and author. The beloved man has written several texts on a variety of subjects, however, the one in question today is titled the Micicle of Mindfulness; often considered one of the foundational texts on the subject of mindfulness.
In it, Hanh proposes several questions to the reader, backing up his conclusions with anecdotal analysis of the world around us. By integrating Buddhist thought with insightful ponderings that are relatable to all, Hanh is able to concretely drive us towards what he believes is the truest form of living.
Whether or not you agree with every one of Hanh’s assertions- and in my experience, it may be difficult not to accept them as truths- he is a key player in the world of mindfulness. If you are serious about beginning a mindful journey, he is a must. If you don’t know how serious you are, his writing provides very inspirational texts that are easy to associate with your everyday life.
As we have journeyed through the senses and how they relate to mindfulness I have attempted to identify some of the simplest ways to begin a mindful journey. With the chaos of life around us, we repeatedly ask ourselves what is the best way to move forward. By utilizing the senses, we are able to choose one succinct avenue to begin the process of putting one foot in front of the other.
For example, you may ask yourself, how can I be mindful as I eat my breakfast? And an answer we have explored may be to practice eating with intention.
That being said, sometimes the questions we ask ourselves are much larger. How do we choose whether we are going to practice mindful eating today, or if we will go on a color-associating walk to trigger mindful thoughts, or if we will dive into the world of aromatherapy? Thich Nhat Hanh answers this for us, by illuminating the fact that the most important moment is always now.
Mindfulness and intentional living is a constant pursuit. But unlike the other constraints of life, our innate forward-thinking mindsets are not necessary.
we have identified that one of the greatest ways to center yourself and prepare for a mindful meditation is to focus on the current moment. By examining each of the senses, one is forced to concentrate their attention on the present moment, one step at a time. This is the essence of mindfulness.
“Remember that there is only one important time and that is now. The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion. The most important person is always the person you are with, who is right before you, for who knows if you will have dealings with any other person in the future? The most important pursuit is making the person standing at your side happy, for that alone is the pursuit of life.”
