Healing Our Inner Child: Pathways to Embrace Our Suffering | TWOII podcast | Episode #10

In this episode, presenters Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and lay Buddhist practitioner and journalist Jo Confino are joined by special guest Zen Buddhist nun Sister Sinh Nghiem (Adornment with Liveliness). Together, they look deeply into healing childhood wounds.
All three further discuss: inner healing, from healing the child within to collective healing and how to face our challenges, traumas and suffering to find a way through; the possibility of transformation and healing past relationships; the original fear.
Brother Phap Huu expands upon: the importance of understanding the source of inner wounds in order to start healing them; Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings on childhood traumas; the Four Noble Truths; his own experience of being bullied as a child and its consequences; understanding and compassion for those we think are responsible for our suffering; apologizing and forgiveness; stopping the cycle of hate.
Sister Sinh Nghiem shares insights about: her journey to becoming a nun, from escaping Vietnam on a boat with her family after the war, to her career as a psychologist, and finding Thay through another teacher in the Theravada tradition; how the practice of mindfulness helped her deal with abuse suffered as a child; healing her inner child after she became a monastic. She also discusses specific spiritual practices that helped her healing process, like reconnecting with the body, and mindful movement.
Jo recollects a workshop by John Bradshaw on healing the inner child and the deep experience of transformation. He further muses on childhood and creative visualization, defense mechanisms, and the importance of understanding the context of our parents’ lives.
Finally, Brother Phap Huu ends the episode with a guided meditation on generating love for our own selves.
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🎧 Listen to previous episodes on KZbin ➛ pvapp.to/twoii-episodes
🔔 The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living is a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives. 🔔
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The podcast is co-produced by the Plum Village App:
plumvillage.app/
And Global Optimism:
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With support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation:
thichnhathanhfoundation.org/ 🙏
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🎧 Listen to the podcast on the FREE Plum Village App ➛ web.plumvillage.app/talks/the... and other streaming services.
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Resources:
Plum Village Community ➛ plumvillage.org/
Thich Nhat Hanh ➛ plumvillage.org/about/thich-n...
🎙️ Brother Phap Huu ➛ plumvillage.org/people/dharma...
🎙️ Jo Confino ➛ joconfino?...
The Inner Child (short guided meditation) ➛ • The Inner Child | Thic...
Stream Entering Monastery ➛ plumvillage.org/practice-cent...
John Bradshaw ➛ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Br...)
Theravada tradition ➛ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada
Understanding Our Father ➛ plumvillage.org/articles/unde...
The Four Noble Truths ➛ • The Four Noble Truths ...
‘The 16 Exercises of Mindful Breathing’ ➛ plumvillage.org/library/songs...
Qigong ➛ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qigong
Tai chi ➛ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tai_chi
Engaged Buddhism ➛ plumvillage.org/series/engage...
Help us caption and translate this video: web.plumvillage.app/subs?yt=s...
#TheWayOutIsIn #TWOII

[@alexandrugheorghe5610]

I live in a homeless shelter and am abused on an almost daily basis and am unable to work due to my disability. These episodes are very nourishing. Thank you. 🙏🏻

[@KimberlyDahline]

Thanks for letting your story!!!! Its a atory of so many

[@annerussell158]

I thought I couldn't listen to all this podcast because it would break through my invisible protective emotional barrier. Then each one of you resonated with your different stories, each ending with how to recognize the available healing and importantly that it is ok to care for your own wounds in a loving gentle way for a positive searching outcome. As I would for another. I could feel and sense the true meaning of love and peace from you. 🙏🙏 I am grateful.

[@kavmaz]

Thankyou ...always a joy to listen to these podcasts ! It will be great to visit Sister Sinh Nghiem! Her honesty is startling and beautiful - what an incredible Interview .

[@plumvillageapp]

Thank you, dear DharmaKavisha! We would love to have you visit any one of our international Plum Village Centers. Until then, here are some added resources. A lotus for you, PV App Team Download Our FREE App The wisdom of Thich Nhat Hanh anywhere you go.
 A monastery for your pocket: plumvillage.app Kindly visit plumvillage.org for more mindfulness resources, finding a local sangha, receiving The Raft newsletter and more.

 Please enjoy this link to our Live Streaming Events: plumvillage.org/live/ You find many more inspiring resources in the form of books from our dear teacher, Zen Master, Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay), at

: www.parallax.org

[@UkuleleZen]

❤️❤️❤️ So much love & gratitude for this amazing podcast…Thây’s continuation is wonderful to receive. Thank you for the healing energies and love you share with us🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@catherinscutt4082]

By being so compassionate as to share your deepest wounds it has started a process to embrace my wounds too.Thank You for this special podcast 🙏

[@dianavanmeel1392]

I listen to your podcasts every day. They are hugely inspiring to me . This particular one is so powerfull, and realizing the suffering already in the womb. My mother is a caring mother not a loving mother ( I know she loves me ). She told me years ago that she really didn't like to be pregnant, so now I am going to find healing in that. I know my mum loves me but I never felt it. Through her actions I could see it 🙏🏽🙏🏻. Thank you both and all your lovely guests for spreading Tich Nath Han's wisdom and knowledge through modern technologies. Bless 🙏🏽🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏽

[@plumvillageapp]

Thank you for sharing dear friend. Thank you for listening to TWOII here on KZbin! Keep you daily practice. A lotus for you, plumvillage.app (free) 🧡

[@MrSushi1010]

A healthy environment where everybody can embrace their own wounds and doesn't spill their wound out to the world is one of the most wonderful gifts Plum Village community and Thay offer to the world. Deeply touched by the honest sharings about the monastics' trauma and the siblinghood they have for one another. If only this was a reality everywhere, the world would become a much better and safer place for all beings to thrive into the future. 🙏❤️🌸💮🌺

[@plumvillageapp]

Thank you for your wonderful and inspiring words, dear friend 🙏. A lotus for you, The Plum Village App team plumvillage.app

[@alexandradewinter3374]

What do you mean in the sentence." .and doesn't spill their wound" ... Tot spil is different from tot share I presume? do you alsof mean that sharing with Each other is different than spilling?

[@bnosnebkram]

Totally agree x

[@bnosnebkram]

Totally agree

[@lisatalev]

So powerful! My favorite episode yet. Thank you for sharing your healing journeys.

[@svejamarinova5227]

These stories of taking care of our suffering and of the past are very inspiring. Healing is possible. Thank you very much for reaching out and sharing.

[@plumvillageapp]

Thank you, dear friend Sveja 🙏. A lotus for you, The Plum Village App team plumvillage.app

[@jSpirituS7]

Thank you for helping me to see the blind spots. I feel encouraged to share my love. Much gratitude to all 🙏

[@divalivingston1664]

I did a thorough search of my past when I wrote my life story over about an 18 month period. Some of it was painful even though I didn’t have the kind of trauma of being a refugee or other aspects related here, but we all have wounds. I wrote affirmations that I repeat daily that have helped. One was I release all of the past.

[@LillyD.R.]

Thank you to all. You are bringing forward such openings and re-memberings to so many of us that are working rigorously and tirelessly to navigate and transmute deeper, more powerful aspects of ourselves that many cultures and communities aren’t yet able to allow. Your stories and heart presence resonance pervades beautifully through the radio waves. Truest gratitude and blessings to you all.

[@plumvillageapp]

Thank you for your loving and inspiring message, dear Lilly 🙏. A lotus for you, The Plum Village App team plumvillage.app

[@tinaoldenskov]

Merci beaucoup ! 💜

[@SuzyQzyful]

Thank you for another episode! And thank you Sister Sinh Nghiem for sharing your story, it had to be difficult to talk about but I'm glad you have healed your inner child and could share to help others heal along with Phap Huu and Jo

[@shiraduizend3506]

Thankyou,inspiring,encouraging,gives me hope listening

[@plumvillageapp]

Dear Shira, Thank you for your comment. Please keep watching, it brings us much joy that you are finding the resource encouraging. You can also download the app for free, to carry with you, at: plumvillage.app A lotus for you, The Plum Village App Team

[@cocolouise8227]

Sending you love and kindness. 💎🙏🏽🌸

[@plumvillageapp]

We greatly appreciate it, dear Coco Louise. May you be safe and happy 🙏. The Plum Village App team plumvillage.app

[@annemackey1512]

Profound, deep, insightful and yes ….challenging! Forgiveness of oneself is not easy and I am grateful for the honesty of those who have shared so much of their personal journeys for the collective good. Please don’t stop these podcasts - they really are making a difference! 🙏

[@Adrito7]

Thank you🙏

[@nobelwarrior3880]

Thank you sister

[@hughslevin7120]

Thank you so much 💓 I'm really glad to hear about your experience It is very helpful

[@trishthompson6984]

Love Joe’s sharing and recognition of the wonderful teacher, John Bradshaw, whose work was a major part of my early healing of my inner child.

[@lmansur1000]

I also attended workshops with John Bradshaw and he made such a difference in my life. I also did that going back to my child and I was very lonely and sad as well. I remember he told us to take out child out of the house to our new reality with my new friends. I have been working with her ever since...work in progress. It is truly heartwarming to hear someone else who has done this work with Bradshaw. I was so changed by his work. Thank you. In this day and age, I do not hear too much about inner child work.

[@marietorrisi7528]

An issue that I have not be able to completely let go of in my life is dishonesty. It stems from my mother's dishonesty with me and my twin sister. I never knew the truth - I am trying and praying to let go of my anger with dishonesty. I am working on calming myself and asking is it true, if it is not I give it to God and pray for acceptance. When do I finally accept God's forgivenss and release my emotions. Knowing I could just walk away when someone is dishonest and not engage. The 4 Noble Truths - I want to release the suffering from my childhood and willing to accept the guidance - 3rd Noble Truth is the cessation of suffering - breaking free from the past experiences that are not present in the now - freedom will release my suffering.

[@rider2805]

Thank you ❤️

[@loveearthspirit829]

Thanks sister for sharing with compassion. Many things I do recognise. 9:50 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@wala6276]

I need to come back to this and really listen. I still feel lost at how to start this healing process even after listening to this talk, I wish this talk was longer.

[@willgiorno1740]

Thankyou. Timely for me, and welcome. Best wishes to you all.

[@plumvillageapp]

Thank you, dear Will 🙏. Happy you've joined us ✨. The Plum Village App team plumvillage.app

[@moonflower4076]

That's profound and full of light, thanks to all the speakers for sharing their stories

[@Lunasagrian]

Dear Sister, deep bow 🙇‍♀️, truly🤍 Very powerful transmission 🤍 Dear Brother, ✨🙏✨ thank you also for your brave sharing from your life. Thank you all for this podcast and themes 💜 🙏

[@plumvillageapp]

Thank you for listening, dear Susan! With gratitude 🙏

[@graceacer9369]

Thank you so much

[@luule7488]

Thank you for sharing your wounds.🙏

[@chiekomiami5022]

Healing the inner child, how wonderful! And the path to transform the pain.Thank you for this 🙏🙏🙏

[@rogercanik1925]

It’s so important to forgive for the benefit of yourself, avoid future suffering and start the healing process. Thank you for sharing such profound wisdom. 🙏🙏🙏

[@plumvillageapp]

Thank you for tuning in, dear Roger 🙏. The Plum Village App team plumvillage.app

[@daveec8915]

Your compassion transcends this very platform. The inner work you’ve done/doing has inspired me to keep going further into myself seeking self healing and peace of mind from my past.

[@meerasingh2327]

Beautiful beautiful message from sister it will help so many young people. Thanks sister 🙏🌸

[@graceacer9369]

Thank you

[@oxheysarah]

Thankyou that was so helpful gives me a new perspective on stuff I've been struggling with 🙏💕

[@plumvillageapp]

Happy to read this, dear Sarah. Thank you for tuning in 🙏. A lotus for you, The Plum Village App team plumvillage.app

[@cindycaron7941]

Thank you❣

[@plumvillageapp]

🙏

[@rasheadarodgers5919]

Thank you. 🙏🏾

[@eleanor3482]

This is amazing, thank you 🙏🏻

[@plumvillageapp]

Thank you, Eleanor 🙏. The Plum Village App team plumvillage.app

[@monikaolausson4158]

Love to listen to you 🙏❤️😇

[@plumvillageapp]

Thank you for tuning in, dear Monika 🙏. The Plum Village App team plumvillage.app

[@SisterSunnyFreeSpirit]

This app, Your work .... sooooo profoundly valuable! Thank you

[@aparnaarampalli8217]

Such a wonderful session I got to listen today , being in the present moment will heal every thing is what all the enlightened teachers tells us , brother and sister 🙏🏻 grace has blessed you and thank you so much 😊 for the kind love . As a women I really got touched with sister words , lord srikrishna told to draupati in Mahabharata to forgive the kauravas when she got insulted by her own family cousins who are men in her own kingdom. Some how got to recollect it today and May god give me so much courage to tell sorry in front of him since I can not meet so many people now from my past memories. I want to be empty and peaceful 🙏🏻

[@plumvillageapp]

🙏

[@lmansur1000]

I need a community where I can feel safe in continuing to do the work of healing and transformation. I am alone and have done so muc work over the years but still feel alone.... and that makes me sad because most people do not understand.

[@plumvillageapp]

Thank you for sharing this, dear friend. Thay has always encouraged us to join a Sangha (community of practice) to support us on the path. There are many Sanghas worldwide and we have set up a directory where you might find one in your vicinity: www.mindfulnessbell.org/directory If there is no already established Sangha in your vicinity it's also possible to start a new one or join an online Sangha: www.plumline.org/directory Thank you for your practice 🙏 With much care, The Plum Village App team plumvillage.app

[@lyt48]

The 4 Noble truths are literally saying that the truths are noble, not that suffering is noble. That there is suffering is a truth & this truth is noble. Although the point about suffering being valuable is correct too.

[@omqi]

Can you please tell me the name of the place in Melbourne sister is moving to. I’d love to hear her speak or meet her.

[@plumvillageapp]

Dear Dianne, you can find a link to the Stream Entering Monastery under Resources in the video's description :) Hope this helps 🙏

[@Transformational_change]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💓💓💓💓💓

[@iaminlearning1]

No one on any of the dhamma channels talks about a crucial topic. This is money, financial stability. It will be great to see videos on how to stay in equanimity when suffering is triggered by lack of money, failing in earning money to live on this earth for one self and loved ones. The suffering caused by financial pain, no one show how to be in equanimity in such a situation. Money impacts everything from having food, shelter, educating kids, hygiene, relationship, business, career and much more. Hey, it impacts us getting access to such videos, get internet access requires money as well. It seems no one in dhamma wants to help on this crucial topic.

[@ellensluijs1403]

Thank you for sharing. I heard you say that Sister Sinh Nghiem would be in Melbourne, Australia. I live in Melbourne and have been trying to find a place where I too can learn and practise the Buddhist teachings. Would you be able to point me into the right direction?

[@plumvillageapp]

Dear Ellen, please have a look at the show notes and relevant links in the video's description. Hope this helps. 🙏

[@kaT-ori]

what if the mum and dad of that child in womb were not full off love but disappointment, fear and anger? what does that mean for the baby? what does it mean for that child if it grew up with these emotions? what if even your sister is angry to have to share the little given by her parents so far now with another child that even needs more attention (due to its being a newborn)? i still struggle with finding the right way to move on with (or without?) my family, that my inner child never felt wanted or loved by. i am stuck there and donot know how to go on. i tried forgiving but i guess i never succeed in it. frequently they attack or hurt me again, say i am making up all of it. i feel always wrong, not good enough, the crazy one or the scapegoat and only leaving keeps me save. but makes me so rootless and deeply lonely also. i want to get out of this dynamic. i d be very thankful for any comment, hint or idea to that.

[@clarekelsey2774]

Ythis was broad based and wonderfully helpful. However, one thing u might want to keep in mind is that a very large % of ur audience is not from an Eastern culture. Many, many American parents and definitely mothers did not want the pregnancy much less have much love for the child ever. Comments like "of course, the father loves the mother and wants to ease her and the child thru the birth process" or general comments (not the speakers' personal experience comments) regarding parents love and caring for the child are just not applicable in Western cultures. Far More often than not child molestation does not come from someone outside the family; it comes from the parents or family members from whom the child literally cannot escape. Suggesting that the cultures that are trained to be more family oriented and get strong extended community support and family support are what Westerners experience can be very triggering...especially when prefaced by the words "of course...the mother wants...the father loves", etc Every victim of childhood trauma I have ever met had parents or siblings who inflicted harm either thru gross negligence or intentionally. Doesn't mean those parents were not also doing their best...but best is a culturally relative term. Thank you for hearing this.

[@plumvillageapp]

Dear Clare, thank you for sharing your feedback with us and raising awareness on this topic and the different situations we might find ourselves in. I have taken note and plan to share it with the team 🙏. With much care, The Plum Village App team plumvillage.app

[@meryldelabarrera]

Thank you so much