The Art of Being Peace

Thich Nhat Hanh describes Buddhist practice as the art of being peace. He starts with mindful breathing from the Buddha’s breathing sutra, used to release tension in the body and to recognise painful feelings, and says parents and teachers who learn it can pass it on to children and students.

He recounts Plum Village retreats where Israeli and Palestinian groups learned deep listening and loving speech, and links the view of no-self and interbeing to right thinking, speech and action. He connects the five mindfulness trainings to Manifesto 2000, then speaks about mindful consumption, solar power and car-free days at Deer Park, and living simply. He ends on happiness in the present moment, citing the Buddha’s teaching to Anathapindika and 500 businessmen, and leads a short closing sitting.