Our beloved teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh, has been bringing mindfulness to the West since the early 1970’s. He believed that the ancient wisdom of the Buddhist teachings could help us to transform the suffering in ourselves and in the world.
Mindfulness is a source of happiness and joy. It is the energy that helps us recognize the conditions of happiness that are already present in our lives. Mindfulness doesn’t mean that we turn away from our own suffering or the suffering of the world. Mindfulness helps us to transform our suffering and to recognize that happiness and joy, sadness and suffering, are two sides of the same coin. One cannot exist without the other. The energy of mindfulness helps us to touch peace and stability in ourselves, even in a difficult moment. Mindfulness is a practice and when we are diligent in our practice, our ability to return to ourselves, to our breath and to a place of solidness and stability -even in the face of difficulty – grows stronger
Whether we’re brushing our teeth, washing the dishes, walking to work, eating a meal, or drinking a cup of tea, we can learn to be mindful throughout our day – to come back to our mindful breathing, to smile, and to be fully present in what we are doing. Our practice of mindfulness should be very pleasant and relaxing. We don’t need extra time to do it.
There’s an art to finding creative ways to generate the energy of mindfulness, peace, and happiness in everyday life. When we are looking at the sunset, a tree, or at our loved ones, the more mindful and concentrated we are, the more profoundly we are able to experience the present moment. With practice, mindfulness becomes effortless and when we are there, body and mind together, in the present moment, we touch the wonders of life that are always available to us. This is the miracle of mindfulness.
Mindfulness Practice Community of Toronto 