We all may remember one of those memorable moments when a friend gives us a book that unlocks a new world, maybe leading us to the Dharma or opening a new perspective on our practice. That’s what happened when our friend, the editor of the book, handed us The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh. It was in 1975, and Thay (as he was known) had just arrived in the U.S. and was still a relatively unknown teacher. That book became a treasured friend, an introduction to the practice of mindfulness — then a little-known word but now a part of mainstream culture.
This Fall, as a focus for the Elders Sangha, we’re revisiting the subject of Thay’s book — the four foundations of mindfulness: body, mind, emotions, and perceptions — the four pillars that can encompass the entirety of our practice. Listen to the Buddha’s words from the Satipatthana Sutta:
“This is the direct path for the purification of beings, for the surmounting of sorrow…, for the disappearance of pain and grief, for the attainment of the true way, for the realization of nibbana (nirvana) — namely the four foundations of mindfulness.”
“The direct path for surmounting sorrow” — what a bold, promising statement! As another way to describe the third Noble Truth, it’s an invitation to rededicate ourselves to this practice. As practitioners, we sometimes fall deaf to the power of words we’ve heard many times, but Thay reminds us that these four foundations are a miracle. Can we get in touch with the wondrous dimensions of our practice? Can we appreciate that the next breath is the body’s performing the miracle that sustains our life over a lifetime? We use the breath as a primary focus for meditation, yet often we’re taking this wondrous rhythm for granted.
Among a number of quotes from Thay’s teachings in this book — reminders to live mindfully — one of his statements continues to echo across time.
“With mindfulness, one is not only restful and happy, but alert and awake. Meditation is not an evasion but a serene encounter with reality.”
Whether in a challenging situation, a passing moment, or in meditation, these words — “a serene encounter with reality” — can be an ongoing source of inspiration.