Mindfulness Must be Engaged

In Thich Nhat Hanh's book, Peace is Every Step, he wrote about his experiences in Vietnam during the war when the US bombed so many villages. As a monastic brother, he and his fellow brothers and sisters needed to decide whether to continue their traditional meditation practice in the monasteries or go out among the people and help those who were suffering from the effects of the bombing. After careful reflection, they decided to do both and called it engaged Buddhism -

"Mindfulness must be engaged. Once there is seeing, there must be acting. Otherwise, what is the use of seeing?

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. If we maintain awareness of our breathing and continue to practice smiling, even in difficult situations, many people animals, and plants will benefit from our way of doing things. Are you massaging our Mother Earth every time your foot touches her? Are you planting seeds of Joy and peace? I try to do exactly that with every step, and I know that our Mother Earth is most appreciative. Peace is every step. Shall we continue our journey?"

Also from the writings of Thich Nhat Hanh is this love meditation, adapted from the Vishuddhimagga:

"May I be peaceful, happy, and light in body and spirit.
May he/she be peaceful, happy, and light in body and spirit.
May they be peaceful, happy, and light in body and spirit.

May I be safe and free from injury.
May he/she be safe and free from injury.
May they be safe and free from injury.

May I be free from anger, afflictions, fear, and anxiety.
May he/she be free from anger, afflictions, fear, and anxiety.
May they be free from anger, afflictions, fear, and anxiety."

"We begin practicing this love meditation on ourselves. Until we are able to love and take care of ourselves, we cannot be of much help to others. After that we can practice on others - first on someone we like, then on someone neutral to us, then on someone the mere thought of whom makes us suffer."

This powerful meditation practice will do much to reduce tension within each individual, which will then reduce conflicts within families, which can then calm neighborhoods and even nations.

But the the journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. Breathe in, be calm, breathe out, and smile.