In 2012 my husband and son had the great honor and pleasure of meeting with and filming zen master, global spiritual leader, poet, and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh in conversation with Brother David Steindl-Rast, a Benedictine monk and old friend. They spoke about their common work for peace, the powers of love and gratefulness, freedom and the search for happiness, among other things. The young monks of Plum Village added their personal stories and the effect practicing mindfulness has had on their lives.
May Thich Nhat Hanh’s memory and teachings continue to inspire us
all the days of our lives.
The following quotes are a few of my favorites. Please feel free to share yours too…
When you begin to see that your enemy is suffering, that is the beginning of insight.
From something you can never become nothing.
The best way to take care of the future is to take care of the present moment.
Touching the present moment, we realize that the present is made of the past and is creating the future.
Other people’s actions are the result of their own pain and not the result of any intention to hurt you.
Love has no meaning without understanding.
To be loved means to be recognized as existing.
❤
Donna Gwinnell Lambo-Weidner 
Wow, it was indeed a great privilege meeting with Thich Nhat Hanh himself. He is a jewel of a person.
I find Buddhism to be a wise faith, and I being an atheist, am drawn towards it.
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You might find it interesting then that Thich Nhat Hanh maintained “Buddhism is not a religion, it’s a practice, similarly to yoga, which you can do irrespective of religious beliefs”. Of course, there are branches of Buddhism that maintain otherwise. Be well, Arnav ❤
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Thanks for sharing! 💝
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You’re welcome ❤
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This is beautiful. One of my favorites is: If you cannot be happy and peaceful in each step, then it is not a peace march.
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Thank you Sandra. I’ll be adding this one to my faves now too. Or better yet, print it out and put it where i’ll be reminded of it 🙂
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How Blessed they both were to meet this extraordinary soul!
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❤
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My internet isn’t behaving, so I hope you get this note saying how much I like the touching the present quote. It’s a concept I pondered all of January, our Janus month when I’m both glancing back and stretching into the future
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A beautiful post and tribute, Donna. A man who’ll be sorely missed.
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Thank you Diana ❤
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Such a wonderful surprise Donna, it was so great to see and hear Thich Nhat Hanh
that I just had to listen to the entire broadcast. Thank you for having it here for us.
Bless your heart dear friend. Eddie
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I watch it again every once in a while to remind myself of his teachings. Bless your ❤ as well dear Eddie 🙂
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Bless your heart Donna
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Thank you for sharing your personal connection to Thich Nhat Hanh and the inspiring conversation he had with Brother David Steindl-Rast. Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings on mindfulness, peace, and gratefulness have touched so many lives and will continue to do so for generations to come.
One of my favorite quotes from Thich Nhat Hanh is, “Smile, breathe, and go slowly.” It’s a simple reminder to slow down and appreciate the present moment, even amidst the chaos and busyness of life.
May we all continue to carry on Thich Nhat Hanh’s legacy of compassion, understanding, and peace.
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May we carry on his legacy indeed. Thank you for sharing your thoughts…also for the reminder to “Smile, breathe, and go slowly.” Be well ❤
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