Sitting and Walking in the Here and Now | Dharma Talk by Thich Nhat Hanh, 2004-01-11

In early 2004, Thich Nhat Hanh and a couple hundred monastics came to Southern California to spend several months at Deer Park Monastery in Escondido, California. The monastic community is practicing during the Rainy Season Retreat from January 4 to March 14 with the lay community. This 80-minute dharma talk takes place on Sunday, January 11, 2004 at the beginning of the second week in the Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall.
We begin with an overview of how to begin the day in the monastery - the bell, walking meditation, sitting meditation, and chanting. How much time should we allow for these activities? Do we need to wait to begin meditation? When you hear the bell announcing sitting meditation, you begin right away with your walking. What is our practice when we are walking? What is our practice when we arrive at the mediation hall? Thay shares and outlines the Plum Village practice.
What can the dharma teacher do to contribute to the practice? The dharma teachers have a responsibility to be present for the orientation. To help support those who have newly arrived. The dharma teachers can help assure that people practice in the practice center (so we don’t become a "non-practice" practice center!).
A reporter recently asked Thay, what happens after we die? The question is kind of a trap. What happens in the present moment? The answer to both these questions is the same. And if we can answer the second question, then there is no need to answer the previous question. What is our practice to be fully present in the here and now - to become a free person. And with our practice, we can then free our ancestors.
What is the role of the sangha in helping with your practice of sitting meditation? Practicing with the wonders of life in the practice center with the support of the sangha. Thay reflects on the meaning of the kingdom of God. Transforming our homes, sanghas, and practice centers into a pure land. A place of refuge where we can experience brotherhood and sisterhood. To enjoy deeply every moment of our daily life.
The practice of walking, sitting, and chanting is for the care of the present moment. It is not for the future. There is no way to happiness, happiness is the way. There is no way to enlightenment, enlightenment is the way. We don’t sit for anything and do not expect anything. Just be present in the here and now. That is good enough. Don’t be caught by the idea of the Buddha that is outside of you - you are already a Buddha.
Living and working in harmony with nature, plants and animals, at Deer Park Monastery. Even though we are many hundreds, we can walk in the pure land in harmony with nature. How do we practice walking meditation?
I have arrived.
I am home.
I am solid.
I am free.
In the ultimate I dwell.
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[@susan1302]

Thank you, Plum Village, for your ever growing and nourishing online presence. As I have been watching these past many years, I can see the tree of your teaching, with Thay's masters the roots, Thay the strong trunk, and all of you wonderful teachers the spreading branches that bring so much thought and peace into our lives. I love going back to watch Thay's dharma talks; I learn something every single time, and feel afterward that maybe going on living isn't the worst idea, after all. Thank you.

[@earthpearl3790]

I appreciate your openness in sharing your ideas about living. You expressed so much about your perceptions and your experience. May a felt sense of okayness be also included. 🔆

[@hughslevin7120]

You are very lucky that you have been watching for years I am old and trying to learn more about this I will keep with it until I get the best insight I am very grateful to all concerned Thank you

[@susan1302]

@@hughslevin7120 The amazing thing is it doesn't matter whether it's been many years or just a few days...there is just so much that can happen for you and for the bigger world through the teachings! I am so glad you have found a home this way and can also bring the wisdom of your years to us. :)

[@hughslevin7120]

@@susan1302 O Thank Susan I truly appreciate the kindness of all of you hoping and believing that I can come home at last

[@myrabrostoff5833]

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[@asmr.experim3nt]

I listen to Thay’s talks daily. They are so important to me. I don’t have the right words to thank him for the comfort and hope that I have because of them, and the bell, and know that I can find peace in my own breath and in the steps of my two feet. Thank you. Thank you.

[@michaelsamuels3855]

He could recite furniture assembly instructions and it would be a soothing meditation.

[@Red-Di]

Yes! So soothing. 🙏🪷

[@fantasticleese]

Tich nhat hahn's Dharma talks are very healing and beautiful. They have helped me through a lot of suffering. He is truly a gift to the world and I'm thankful to have found his teaching.

[@hughslevin7120]

Yes he is a wise gift to this world But as usual most of the world is not listening we would rather seek short term pleasure And yes I do enclude myself We must be part of a SANGHA It is too hard to make it alone I will find a way to get a SANGHA

[@rosiesbitsandbobs4085]

We will never die, for we are eternal, we may change form, from the form we are in, called the human body, to another one of our choosing. I say this with great respect of Thich Nhat Hanh, because he helps us so much, to realise our Oneness with the Divine.

[@lhamopepper9887]

Thay you are so wonderful,your talks always put a deep peace inside me and I love every being in the world. I look at everything with respect and make effort being mindful. Thank you beautiful sangha of plum Village my deep gratitude ❤🎉❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@guitarmanplayzloud936]

What a beautiful person, his kindness is so big!

[@tunghoang3231]

Many thanks Sangha!

[@irenekent4335]

You are a wonderful teacher

[@irenekent4335]

I wish I could attend one day

[@reef6826]

Bro thay spitting straight facts in this episode... one of the greatest dharma talks he ever done.

[@Eyes_Unclouded]

😅😁🥰❤️🙏

[@HealingNatureMeditation]

I love all your talks!! 💕💕💕 I learn so much.... As always so wise and nice words! Many Thanks Thich!🙏❤🙏

[@Eyes_Unclouded]

Thank you 🌷🌸🌻

[@earthpearl3790]

It is wonderful to see the sangha in attendance, very connecting!

[@trongnhan9016]

Thank you thay.

[@colleendeane7888]

Beautiful how Thay explains how we lose our childhood paradise

[@arcadeez]

Thank you. These are a great comfort in difficult times.

[@chongseitmooi2593]

Excellent dharma

[@I_Am_Youniverse]

I always wonder why all spiritual lectures I listen to you can hear the people in the crowd constantly coughing throughout the whole video.

[@danmcdaid]

They are breathing deeply.

[@LouiseDAlise]

Thank You 🙏

[@graceacer9369]

Thank you

[@sanjayram1101]

Maharaj, may you Rest in Peace.

[@alfpiggymom142]

Beautiful soul.

[@fernandopagan4384]

And coughing a lot

[@jinkyjoyacain6800]

Nov 30, 2023 Thursday 22:56💗💖❤️

[@jacquelineannepoitras4053]

😢🙏❤️

[@jacquelineannepoitras4053]

I have arrived 😊

[@jacquelineannepoitras4053]

I’m home 🦅🦶🏼🤗❤️

[@cruisinginthavic]

I am home….

[@41lakshmi]

Following this beautiful series with awe and joy....can anyone tell me when is the next summer retreat at Plum Village?

[@plumvillageonline]

Dear friend, please check out website plumvillage.org/retreats/when-can-you-visit-us/ We hope you'll find all the information you need. 🙏🏻

[@4LayersOfStrength]

#NewbieQuestion🚨Our practice should prepare us for the transition from this lifetime to the next⁉️ #NotTrolling🤣 (29:30)

[@johnunvaxxed1918]

Mr. Hanh, can we go to the meditation hall by bicycle?

[@Eyes_Unclouded]

Bicycle meditation 😁🚲💕

[@kimballbarrett1961]

2004 sitting chanting bell invite 6 in the morn bell arrive stop right 30 min path pure land sit right away bow go to 600 if your late 5 min you cant go in when the bell sounds solids steps pure land peace and freedom no cars 15 min path in the morning fresh wait for walking sitting and chanting meditating 7.30 for evening sitting help those who are beginner in breath and out breath present in the present moment no car if late sitting no rite to enter the meditation hall practice center 2or3 people walk beautiful sitting stop peace is the sitting a real practice help those who are beginners protect the center when we die then what? what happens in the present moment moment die nice to ask sick old age one day we will die truly present in the here and now stop all together feel free from worries sit and become present sitting open eyes generating sitting together open your eyes refuge on a boat collect sangha much easier breath in fresh finally learn to stop i don't need to sun any more kingdom of god live it not a matter of belief in the here and now available touch the here and now practice center mindful walking mindful sitting island touch the here and the now many of us running fame sex are you happy running after these things pure collect transform int a pure land pleasant refuge loving kindness walking sitting the pure land is the way mindful concentration in the here and now sitting carried away alive a wounder cosmos manifest fully present mindful concentration and insight with the sangha bring it with you urinate pleasure living beings peace walking meditation compassion enjoy walking in the pure land 2 steps i have arrive stopping ancestors be in the mind alone stamp saying really alive next step i have arrived get into the home to the here and now i am home free from project a child again walk slowly i have arrive i am home in the here and now i am solid i am free simple freedom in the ultimate i dwell wave coming up going down rest wave is water practice mindfulness energy nature peace Kimball Barrett

[@eriksier1392]

66

[@ruceblee969]

All these rules and regulations. Seems like a fake happiness that everyone forces to maintain some image. Can't go into a mediation hall because someone is late? So fucking what? Where's the compassion and understanding for the person being late? Total contradiction.

[@obeytherising]

He seemed a bit ticked off 😬

[@Eyes_Unclouded]

I think he felt it necessary to repeat that day because some people were not as familiar with the practice and he noticed some people needed to be reminded. If anyone is late 🤗I hope they know they are not being excluded… the monastery is still there for them 🍃it is so beautiful to practice walking meditation instead❤️🙏judgment free✨