Thich Nhat Hanh wrote in his book, Peace is Every Step, that mindfulness must be engaged.
He wrote about how when living in Vietnam during the war that he and the other monks living at the monastery had to decide if they stayed practicing in the monasteries or leave to go help the people that were suffering.
They decided to do both. They went out to help people, and did so with mindfulness.
He called it engaged Buddhism. Meaning that mindfulness must be engaged, one must be present in the moment to see and act compassionately.
Thich Nhat Hanh writes that "we must be aware of the real problems of the world. Then, with mindfulness, we will know what to do and what not to do to be of help."
Begin by "maintaining awareness in breathing and practice smiling, even in difficult situations."
Then people, animals and plants will benefit.
He ends with asking, "Are you massaging our Mother Earth every time your foot touches her? Are you planting seeds of joy and peace? "
Peace is Every Step
"Shall we continue our journey?"
With love and gratitude for Thich Nhat Hanh,
Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
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