Mindfulness Meditation Group, Roanoke, Virginia

Children’s Questions February 22, 2011

During the months of June, July and August, we read the sixth chapter, “Children’s Questions,” of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Answers from the Heart: Practical Responses to Life’s Burning Questions. Below are a few of the questions with abbreviated versions of the answers.

Q: What is the most important thing we can do to become enlightened?

A: Enlightenment isn’t far away; you don’t have to practice a long time; it’s here and now to some degree. When you drink tea, concentrating on it, seeing it’s something you like to do, and drink it mindfully not absorbed in anger, fear, worries or projects, that’s a kind of enlightenment. “There’s no way to enlightenment. Enlightenment is the way.” Drink your tea, walk, sit, eat your food, wash your clothes in happiness right here and right now.

Q: How can we deal with anger?

A: When anger comes up, know it’s there. “Breathing in, I know anger is in me. Breathing out, I take good care of my anger.” Don’t say or do anything; acting in anger can be very destructive. Breathe and walk mindfully to embrace, recognize, and bring relief to your anger. Other people don’t make us angry; they are secondary causes. We are the main cause because we water the seeds of our own anger. You can transform it when you look deeply and see that it comes from your wrong views and misunderstandings.

Q: Jesus and Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi were killed and you were exiled from Vietnam. Why do bad things happen to spiritual people?

A: Gandhi and Dr. King were not angry when they died, but felt compassion toward those who killed them, knowing it was anger, fear, and  misunderstanding that led to those actions.  When people are full of misunderstanding and fear, they can do violent things. In our practices of looking deeply, using loving speech, and listening deeply, we can help remove wrong perceptions, help each other stop being fearful and angry; then understanding and compassion will arise. We can stop war, prevent terrorism, and make peace in these ways, but not with the use of bombs and guns.