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Thich Nhat Hanh

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So this podcast I did just this time last week, and I wanted simply to remember Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Zen master, who stands as a beacon of non-violence, embodying "engaged Buddhism" during the horrors of the Vietnam War.

One of the main things I struggle with at the moment is equanimity. I did a podcast on equanimity recently, but in the storms of rage and the noise of war that is at the moment enveloping so many parts of the world, I struggle to retain my inner peace, and detachment. I am driven by anger and rage, and it's so hard sometimes to just keep calm and serene and enter the room of the heart, when there is so much fury in the air.

But I don't think I'm avoiding politics. When I engage in non violence or peaceful mindful practises, I feel I am responding to the violence around me. I am offering a critical and radical alternative, and if there was a single person in the world of all the buddhist teachers that excelled in this wisdom of non-violence it was the great master Thich NhatHanh.

Exiled for his tireless advocacy for peace, he refused to side with any or either camp, instead founding the Order of Inter being to promote compassionate action amid conflict. His non-violence wasn't passive; it was a fierce, loving resistance born from deep awareness of suffering, as he taught that "nonviolent action... born of the awareness of suffering."He urged, "Peace begins with you," weaving activism into everyday mindfulness to transform anger into understanding.

This profound non-violence grew directly from his meditation practice. Through mindful breathing and walking, Thay cultivated inner peace—the foundation of interbeing, where all life interconnects. Meditation dissolved the illusion of separation, birthing compassion that naturally opposed violence; as he said, "Violent action creates more violence." From silent retreats emerged his global teachings, like Plum Village, where practitioners meditate to heal personal and collective wounds.

But there is no need to share his insights with you because his own words and voice are abundantly available on the internet. find him in Audiobooks, or You Tube, or Podcasts, or just google him. Listen prayerfully to him. You don't need me to add anything. And so what I share with you this week is simply my admiration of his life and the light and compassion that he holds out to the world.

His life inspires me endlessly: a person who faced bombs and exile yet smiled through it all, influencing leaders and everyday souls toward mindful peace. In a world of rage, his example calls me to pause, breathe, and act with kindness. And oh, that face—serene, eyes twinkling with joy—always brightens my spirit, a gentle reminder that true strength radiates from within.

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So this is the final in a series of 4 where I've been thinking about some beautiful ideas in the Buddhist tradition. There is a melancholic air in the garden now. not as much light as there used to be in August. WE've come to the turn of the year. so here we go again. But I'm so happy.

I'm so happy to be talking to you. this is a strange thing, I've never got over it; the mystery of talking to you. being present with you. Sharing at this level my faith.

My faith is like the wind. Like gossamer. It comes and goes. Except when you share it. And next week I begin the big journey into the winter. I love this and if you've been with me for winter on previous years you'll know I feel hugged and loved by the cosmos when the light fades. the tree outside my door is the cosmos. that's the tentacle that connects with me. and I too am the cosmos. and so are you. me and you and the tree are just the cosmos talking to itself. And when you get into that space you could stay there forever. and finally

maybe we are eternally there. or here. or together. Forever.

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I was thinking that if you're going to deepen your insights into Buddhist philosophy, you might need more than me. So I took a book, which is special and singular and crucial for me in my path towards Buddhist wisdom. It's got a title with a lot of syllables and authored by a person with a strange name for the Western ear. Nonetheless, this is like a figure similar to Saint Augustine or Thomas Aquinas though his thought is more concise and he uses less pages to compose his thoughts. Shanti-deva is the man in question and the name of the book is The

Bodhicaryavatara, or in English, A guide to the bodhisattva way of life.

You can get it on kindle, or amazon or in hardback online. I think it's a key text in Tibetan Buddhism. I think it's something you can dip into occasionally for many years with great benefit.

And so we must look at this notion of the bodhisattva; what is that. Well it's a person who is dedicated to developing Bodhichitta. That's about the simplest way to say it. And what is Bodhichitta; it's a very simple matter, which I have really enjoyed reflecting on in this episode.

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It's a tricky subject; we say we're sending you vibes, sending you love, sending you best wishes. Praying for you. thinking about you. And so I wanted to pinpoint what I think is a key idea and a key prayer in the Buddhist Tradition which for me is the door into a Buddhist Pathway. One single prayer that opens up so many aspects of Buddhist practise.

The trouble is that it's a complicated enough thing to reflect on, so forgive me if I'm just talking around what is a big mystery; the mysterious of how we find happiness by praying for others.

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Our hearts are disconnected from the language of faith. But it's not impossible to dive into the wonderful narratives of hope that are contained in the Christian tradition and discover enormous resources for the human heart and mental well being. Today on the feast of Mary, Assumed into Heaven, or as it is called in the east, the Dormition, I'm beginning a three part meditation on the wonders of this feast. So let your rational mind relax and take hold of these lovely musings with your heart, and then ask yourself how much better you're feeling.

This is Part One. Part Two next weekend and Part Three on the last weekend in August.

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