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DonateIn this Dharma talk, the speaker reflects on the practice of nurturing love, understanding, and joy within ourselves, even in times of confusion, sadness, or challenge. The speaker shares a poem by Thich Nhat Hanh, written during a 1999 US tour, that speaks about the teacher searching for the student. This poem touches on the idea of being lost and finding our way home, symbolized by nurturing joy and warmth through simple acts, like drinking tea.
The speaker shares personal stories from their time as Thich Nhat Hanh's attendant, reflecting on the concept of love and how we care for ourselves and others, especially in difficult moments. They pose the question: how do we care for ourselves when we feel lost in the "forest" of confusion and doubt? The speaker discusses the importance of nurturing our inner warmth, generating joy, and creating a home for ourselves—both physically and emotionally.
The talk emphasizes the practice of bodhicitta, the mind of love, and how our practice isn’t about seeking comfort but sharing that love through action. Just as the monks and nuns provide guidance and protection, we too are called to offer love and compassion to the world, particularly during times of uncertainty and suffering.
From time to time we offer multi-week courses related to mindfulness, the teachings and life of Thich Nhat Hanh, and a variety of similar subjects. Please see our schedule of upcoming courses.
Take the Deer Park Monastery and Plum Village community with you wherever you go. The Plum Village app is designed to cultivate mindfulness, compassion, and joy through guided meditations, deep relaxations, practice poems, bells of mindfulness, and other practices — all through a mobile device.
