1. The Art of Sitting

What comes to mind when you envision sitting or the practice of stillness? Do you associate stillness with benefits for both yourself and others? Thich Nhat Hanh articulates that “When we sit, we bring joy and nourishment to ourselves and others. Each sitting can be a source of benefit for the world around us.”

In his concise book, How to Sit (part of the How to Live: Boxed Set), Hanh conveys that through deep observation, a meditation practitioner can attain insight and wisdom. This insight has the potential to free us from our own suffering. During meditation, the chains of internal suffering—such as resentment, fear, anger, despair, and hatred—are released; our relationships with both people and nature become more harmonious, allowing joy and freedom to enter our lives.

If the advantages of a stillness practice resonate with you, then why do so many find it challenging to carve out time for such practice? Is it really a lack of time? The reality is that opportunities for stillness are more plentiful than we often recognize.

2. The Practice of Walking

When many think of “meditation,” they often envision sitting in silence. However, meditation can take many forms. Mindfulness can be integrated into any activity—whether sitting, walking, standing, or lying down. Hanh emphasizes, “Whenever we engage in our daily tasks with mindful awareness, we are practicing meditation.”

When asked about the purpose of walking meditation, Hanh simply replied, “Because I enjoy it.”

In How to Walk, Hanh highlights that we often walk solely to reach a destination, but we should ask ourselves: Where are we in those moments in between? Each step allows us to experience the miracle of walking on solid ground, bringing us into the present.

We often take the simple joy of walking for granted. Upon returning to Earth, astronauts relish the chance to walk, appreciating the grass, plants, flowers, animals, and birds surrounding them. Every step on this planet presents an opportunity to recognize the firm ground beneath our feet.

3. Embracing Life Fully

Can you find peace right where you are? Is it possible to experience tranquility amidst life’s chaos? Hanh believes there is nothing to seek. When we rise above the concepts of inside and outside, we can see that everything we need is already available in this present moment. There’s nothing to achieve and nowhere to rush to.

In How to Sit, Hanh illustrates a scenario of a boat full of people in a storm. If anyone panics and acts hastily, they jeopardize everyone onboard. However, if one person remains calm, they can instill calm in others, potentially saving the entire boat. This exemplifies the power of non-action; our state of being serves as the foundation for effective action.

How can one cultivate calm in the midst of turmoil? The revered Zen Master Dogen teaches that this process unfolds moment by moment. The path is not merely a straight line from start to finish, but rather resembles a circle.

According to Hanh, we all possess a lamp within us, which we can illuminate at any moment. The fuel for this lamp is our breath, steps, and gentle smiles. As Hanh states, “Our practice is to light up the lamp.”

Thank you for engaging with this reflection; I hope you found valuable insights.

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