Call Your Cows By Their True Names | Dharma Talk by Thich Nhat Hanh, 2011.09.29 (Magnolia Grove)

The Sangha is gathered together at Magnolia Grove Monastery in Batesville, Mississippi during the 2011 US Teaching Tour with the theme Cultivating the Mind of Love. This 85-minute Dharma Talk is from September 29, 2011.
We begin with a 27-minute teaching for the children present at the retreat. Of course, everyone can benefit and enjoy this teaching regardless of age.
When you love someone, what can you offer them? What is the most precious thing we can offer them? Thay offers a story of an unhappy child and his father - what does the child want for his birthday?
The first mantra of Plum Village is “Darling, I am here for you.” In order to do this, you really have to be present. We should all memorize this mantra. This is a meditation and does not take time and money. Mindfulness helps you to be there.
Thay teaches us about how and why to use pebble meditation. The first pebble represents a flower. What is a true flower? And the second pebble represents a mountain. Cultivating our stability. The next pebble represents still water. The last pebble represents space. Open your heart. A child can very easily lead pebble meditation.
We continue teachings on breathing exercises. This morning the guided meditation explored the first four exercises of mindful breathing. These first four have to do with the body. We first recognize our in-breath and our out-breath. What is the intention of this exercise? Then we move to breathing-in, I follow my breath all the way through. During this time, there is no interruption. You only follow the breathing.
With the third, we are aware of our body. Mind and body are together. To restore the oneness. And our body is a wonder. Thay shares of a recent visit to the Googleplex. Practiced these breathing exercises, especially helping them connect with the body as described in the third exercise. It is a reconciliation between the mind and the body. The fourth exercise is breathing in, I release the tension in my body. This practice is very relevant to our time. We can reduce the amount of pain.
Contemplation of the body. Revisit all parts of our body. How do we do this?
The next set of exercises are designed to help us handle our feelings.
5. Generating joy
6. Generating happiness
7. Recognize a painful feeling
8. Embrace a painful feeling
Can we recognize the conditions of joy and happiness? Living happily in the present moment. This is found right in the Sutra and is especially relevant for business people.
Mindfulness is being able to go home to the present moment. Mindfulness is not something you can buy. When you are mindful, you are there with your body. Mindfulness and concentration are two sources of happiness. Another practice is that of letting go. Here we have the teaching on the farmer who has lost his cows. To know our obstacles is also a path to knowing our happiness. Letting go is a good practice.
Once we know our joy and happiness, then we can more easily handle our pain. When the pain manifests, a good practitioner can recognize this and know how to take care of the painful feeling. We can hold our pain.
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[@melodyst.claire5389]

Embracing every word Paused alot , so I could sit with each step . Breath Mindfulness Oh my goodness We are paradise Beautiful teacher of my heart ❤ 🙏💐 much love and blessings 🙌

[@markyoder24]

I paused the video, opened my window, sat, listened, and smiled to this moment. Thank you

[@stevedolesch9241]

I love his talks. Calm, funny, inspirational and wholesome. Thank you!

[@ritahall2378]

When he says Darling I am here for you I feel such peace and love

[@stephiedrown795]

Me too !

[@sheilaheinecollins]

@@stephiedrown795 iii

[@Reree-gz5bg]

ikr :D

[@diana4383]

Gratitude dear Thich for your wisdom and grace. These discourses are like healing balm to the mind, body and spirit, by listening deeply, your voice and words heal. Sweetest of Blessings to You. 🙏

[@1019jen]

Yes

[@Shaboogiemax]

So much gratitude for this guy! Talk about someone who shares his light with the world. Inspirational. Appreciatively

[@colleendeane7888]

Amazing comprehensive lesson on life. Thank you Thai

[@denisezkb]

"The best present you can make to your beloved one is your true presence." I'll take these words for life. Thanks for continuing Thay's presence. ❤

[@ruth6833]

So lovely to listen to this and other teachings from Plum village ..... I have a sense that I am in Sangha sharing these practices with other brothers and sisters around the world with every mindful step and breath enjoying the sunlight, the starlight, the soft air and sweet scents of nature to nurture and nourish and heal our pains 🙏

[@GabrielBolkosky]

Deep gratitude to you, Plum Village.

[@graceacer9369]

Thank you, dear teacher for translating yourself into American. And world. The transmission for long distance works beautifully.

[@Mae-88888]

Dankeschön für diese wertvollen Beiträge 🙏❣️

[@AndreaSpila]

What a beautiful explanation of the first part of Anapanasati sutta, thank you!

[@catherinebridges2541]

This Pandemic is bringing me home to being still and mindful and breathing. My body is weeping at finding this thank you beautiful teacher!

[@voilacestca.2198]

Thank you for explaining! 🙏🏻

[@margaretmohan6971]

So beautiful, so gentle the message of love. Many thanks Thay and wonderful Plum Village!✌💚🌲

[@ConexionHumanaOficial]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Venerable Thay for this wonderful teachings. I know I need to listen several times in order to understand every part of your class, but for sure I'll do. Your wisdom is a great gift to this world. Evangelina Cortes.

[@dyrtey]

where to find the french song thay ist talking about at 1:02:00?

[@Eyes_Unclouded]

Maybe this one? Ray Ventura Qu'est-ce qu'on attend pour faire la fête

[@mahimahi9834]

He is the master of the masters, God bless him 🙏❤️🌹

[@no_nope_knope]

Thank you. More from Magnolia Grove, please. So close to home. Many many thanks.

[@ngawangkungadorje4252]

A translation into Spanish would be fabulous, you are a reference for me, 🙇🏿‍♂️🙏🏿🌹☸️

[@musikalitet]

A True Zen-master

[@gabryg1849]

Grazie mille ancora Thay, and Sangha as well.. 😊🙏

[@mikepict9011]

You'll live to see another Vietnam because of those choices

[@jinkyjoyacain6800]

Father Thich Nhat Hanh Please BLESSED Candy Tamayo, Bobby Tamayo, February Tamayo with Christian Tamayo-Chairman in San Martin IV SJDM Bulacan. RIP to their WEALTH and their Relatives not giving a BAD LUCK like GHOST. I love you very much and THANK YOU with My Pure Heart.

[@buhodespierto24-365]

Lovely, divine treasure to hear Thay, thanks a lot 🤗🤗😍

[@tulayamalavenapi4028]

🙏🏻 Mind can never be stopped, it is restless and obstinate, more difficult to control than the raging wind. Mind must have superior engagement. Senses must be engaged in service to the Lord. When the root of the tree is watered , the whole tree is healthy, just as when food is given to the stomach, all body parts are nourished. 🙏🏻

[@orangebetsy]

Today the mild spring rain soaked the city and I had time off so I had this on throughout the day. I appreciate the uploading, the camera person, and the people who had the idea to record these precious talks, now enduring forever for everyone.

[@PoojaRani-ne4nw]

Lo inhe tohh pata hi nhi humne aajtak apni cows ke naam tak rakhey hi nhi...hum Lord Krishna ki nakal nhi karte...aadhi gaai tohh swarg sidhhaar gayi bina naamkaran ke...ye sab chhihori si chhoti baatein lagti hain.... kisike paas time nhi ki gaai ki kissiya lete rahein!!! Dedh mann ka gobar aur inke naam rakh do!!! 😢😢

[@ginamori4970]

😂 oh i forgot to turn the light off in my room. I really like him he is understanding, calm, and focused.

[@bellbelldiaz2805]

it is so natural and spontaneous to love Maestro Thich Nhat Hanh, to feel enormous gratitude for his teachings and also spontaneously want to be more and more like him. What a huge guiding light you are Maestro, may you be blessed through the eons of eternity. thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me so much.

[@michaelmorrisinfarsi]

Thank you.

[@roccomastronardi6914]

❤🙏❤️☮️❤️

[@jeffmcguire5092]

Educational!

[@mikepict9011]

I hope you see now . Its moral disgust. Not just ugliness. Moral disgust and outrage