Thich Nhat Hanh: An interview

An interview with Thich Nhat Hanh ,the zen master . Some excerpts


Walking meditation is just mindful walking, where you enjoy every step you take. You concentrate on your in-breath, on your out-breath. You concentrate on the steps you take and you walk in such a way that you can release the past and the future. You may have sorrow or pain concerning the past and the past can be a prison, so you walk in such a way that you can be released from the past.
Yeah, so walking like that you become free, you become solid and you can get in touch with the refreshing and healing elements of life within and around. You get healing transformation, nourishment by walking. And walking like that you see the Kingdom of God; the pure land of the Buddha available in the now.


Here is the link to complete interview.

Five Mindfulness Trainings

Mindfulness plays a important role in Buddhism.
The Five Mindfulness Trainings provide a foundation for meditation.
One can practice meditation even while drinking tea.

Sufi Thoughts

My introduction to the sufi poetry and music was
through the song 'Dama dum mast qalander' (though to this day I do not have a very clear idea about the meaning of the song).

My interest in sufi poetry in last few years is thanks to Abida Parveen's soulful rendition of sufi songs
of great sufi poets .

Recently I have been reading the book The Way of the Sufi by Idris Shah. This book is an introduction to the subject of Sufism and gives a brief insight to the works and thoughts of great sufi masters and various sufi schools of thought.


So here is a collection of some beautiful sufi thoughts
and poetry taken from the book.

To be a Sufi is to detach from fixed ideas and from preconceptions; and not to try to avoid what is your lot.
Abu-said

The Sufi is one who does what others do -when it is neceesary.
He is also one who does what others can not do -when it is
indicated.
Nuri Majudi


Do not look at my outward shape.But take what is in my hand.
Rumi


In cell and cloister ,in monastery and synagogue,
Here one fears hell, another dreams of paradise.
But he who knows the secrets of his God
has planted no such seeds within his heart.
Omar Khayyam



If the Muslim knew what an idol was ,
He would know there is religion in idolatry.
If the idolater knew what religion is
He would know where he has gone astray
He sees in the idol nothing but the obvious creature
This is why ,in Islamic law,he is a heathen
Gardens of Secrets

You possess only whatever will not be lost in shipwreck.
El-Ghazali




Though wine is forbidden ,this is according to who drinks it ,
As to how much,also with whom it is drunk.
When these three requirements are fulfilled;speak truly
Then, if the Wise may not drink 'wine' ,who should;

Those who try to be ostracized.
And those who spend the night in prayer,
None is on dry land ,all are at sea.
One is awake ,and all the others are asleep.

I fell asleep ,and Wisdom said to me ;
'Sleeping ,the rose of happiness never bloomed.
Why do you do a thing which is next to death ?
Drink "wine" ,for you will have long sleep. '

Friends ,when you hold a meeting
You must much remember the Friend.
When you drink successfully together ,
When my tuen comes , 'turn the glass upside down' .

Those who have gone before us O Cupbearer,
Are sleeping in the dust of self-pride.
Go ,drink 'wine' ,and hear from me the Truth;
What they have only said is in our hands ,O Cupbearer.
Omar Khayyam.

Lines for Thought

Here are few lines by Baba Bulleh Shah ,Sufi mystic of 18th century Punjab.

Je rab milda nahatya-dhotya
te rab milda daduan-machiyan nu.
Je rab milda jungle phiryan
te rab milda gayian-bachyian nu.

mandir toro ,masjid toro
per kise da dil na toro.
rab ta dila which basda ha.

---------------
My translation of the above lines follow :

If God was found by taking a bath and cleaning onself
frogs and fish would have found God.
If God was found by roaming in the forest
cows and calves would have found God.

Break the temples, break the mosques
but don't break anyone's heart.
God lives in the heart.