Gratitude Monday: Washing dishes

The world lost the corporeal manifestation of a force for peace last Friday. Thich Nhat Hanh, the founder of “engaged Buddhism”, peace activist and father of mindfulness died, aged 95, at his home monastery in Vietnam.

I chose the phrase “corporeal manifestation” because he of all people taught that the essence, the reality of a being does not begin with birth or end with death, and I truly believe that. Nhat Hanh’s teachings have enriched the world in general and me personally, a gift of immense grace and value and one for which I am deeply grateful.

I am so constituted as to be constantly in motion—if not physically, then mentally. It is very, very hard for me to stop and be. But Nhat Hanh tells us again and again that just being—in the moment—is when we are most connected with the universe. Even with my monkey brain I get that (although it is mortal difficult for me to put it into practice). But every once in a while, I pull back from my frenetic activity and focus on the moment and a simple task—say, washing dishes—I feel that connection and it brings such unexpected joy.

In 2009, when I was retracing the route of my pilgrimage 30 years earlier, I took a small detour to Village des Pruniers, the main monastery and retreat house of Nhat Hanh’s movement about 80km outside of Bordeaux. I walked around, attempted to meditate and took some photos. It was exactly what I needed then, and remembering that peacefulness is exactly what I need now.

Thich Nhat Hanh’s body is dead, but his teachings live. I am so grateful for that.