The
Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings Introduction
(from Interbeing by Thich Nhat Hanh)
1.
The First Mindfulness Training: Openness
Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are
determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory,
or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding means
to help us learn to look deeply and to develop our understanding and
compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill, or die for.
2.
The Second Mindfulness Training: Nonattachment
from Views
Aware of the suffering created by attachment to views and wrong perceptions,
we are determined to avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views.
We shall learn and practice nonattachment from views in order to be open
to others' insights and experiences. We are aware that the knowledge
we presently possess is not changeless, absolute truth. Truth is found
in life, and we will observe life within and around us in every moment,
ready to learn throughout our lives.
3.
The Third Mindfulness Training: Freedom of
Thought
Aware of the suffering brought about when we impose our views on others,
we are committed not to force others, even our children, by any means
whatsoever - such as authority, threat, money, propaganda, or indoctrination
- to adopt our views. We will respect the right of others to be different
and to choose what to believe and how to decide. We will, however, help
others renounce fanaticism and narrowness through practicing deeply and
engaging in compassionate dialogue.
4.
The Fourth Mindfulness Training: Awareness
of Suffering
Aware that looking deeply at the nature of suffering can help us develop
compassion and find ways out of suffering, we are determined not to avoid
or close our eyes before suffering. We are committed to finding ways,
including personal contact, images, and sounds, to be with those who
suffer, so we can understand their situation deeply and help them transform
their suffering into compassion, peace, and joy.
5.
The Fifth Mindfulness Training: Simple, Healthy
Living
Aware that true happiness is rooted in peace, solidity, freedom, and
compassion, and not in wealth or fame, we are determined not to take
as the aim of our life fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure, nor
to accumulate wealth while millions are hungry and dying. We are committed
to living simply and sharing our time, energy, and material resources
with those in need. We will practice mindful consuming, not using alcohol,
drugs, or any other products that bring toxins into our own and the collective
body and consciousness.
6.
The Sixth Mindfulness Training: Dealing with
Anger
Aware that anger blocks communication and creates suffering, we are determined
to take care of the energy of anger when it arises and to recognize and
transform the seeds of anger that lie deep in our consciousness. When
anger comes up, we are determined not to do or say anything, but to practice
mindful breathing or mindful walking and acknowledge, embrace, and look
deeply into our anger. We will learn to look with the eyes of compassion
at ourselves and at those we think are the cause of our anger.
7.
The Seventh Mindfulness Training: Dwelling
Happily in the Present Moment
Aware that life is available only in the present moment and that it is
possible to live happily in the here and now, we are committed to training
ourselves to live deeply each moment of daily life. We will try not to
lose ourselves in dispersion or be carried away by regrets about the
past, worries about the future, or craving, anger, or jealousy in the
present. We will practice mindful breathing to come back to what is happening
in the present moment. We are determined to learn the art of mindful
living by touching the wondrous, refreshing, and healing elements that
are inside and around us, and by nourishing seeds of joy, peace, love,
and understanding in ourselves, thus facilitating the work of transformation
and healing in our consciousness.
8.
The Eighth Mindfulness Training: Community
and Communication
Aware that lack of communication always brings separation and suffering,
we are committed to training ourselves in the practice of compassionate
listening and loving speech. We will learn to listen deeply without judging
or reacting and refrain from uttering words that can create discord or
cause the community to break. We will make every effort to keep communications
open and to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.
9.
The Ninth Mindfulness Training: Truthful
and Loving Speech
Aware that words can create suffering or happiness, we are committed
to learning to speak truthfully and constructively, using only words
that inspire hope and confidence. We are determined not to say untruthful
things for the sake of personal interest or to impress people, nor to
utter words that might cause division or hatred. We will not spread news
that we do not know to be certain nor criticize or condemn things of
which we are not sure. We will do our best to speak out about situations
of injustice, even when doing so may threaten our safety.
10.
The Tenth Mindfulness Training: Protecting
the Sangha
Aware that the essence and aim of a Sangha is the practice of understanding
and compassion, we are determined not to use the Buddhist community for
personal gain or profit or transform our community into a political instrument.
A spiritual community should, however, take a clear stand against oppression
and injustice and should strive to change the situation without engaging
in partisan conflicts.
11.
The Eleventh Mindfulness Training: Right
Livelihood
Aware that great violence and injustice have been done to our environment
and society, we are committed not to live with a vocation that is harmful
to humans and nature. We will do our best to select a livelihood that
helps realize our ideal of understanding and compassion. Aware of global
economic, political and social realities, we will behave responsibly
as consumers and as citizens, not supporting companies that deprive others
of their chance to live.
12.
The Twelfth Mindfulness Training: Reverence
for Life
Aware that much suffering is caused by war and conflict, we are determined
to cultivate nonviolence, understanding, and compassion in our daily
lives, to promote peace education, mindful mediation, and reconciliation
within families, communities, nations, and in the world. We are determined
not to kill and not to let others kill. We will diligently practice deep
looking with our Sangha to discover better ways to protect life and prevent
war.
13.
The Thirteenth Mindfulness Training: Generosity
Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing,
and oppression, we are committed to cultivating loving kindness and learning
ways to work for the well-being of people, animals, plants, and minerals.
We will practice generosity by sharing our time, energy, and material
resources with those who are in need. We are determined not to steal
and not to possess anything that should belong to others. We will respect
the property of others, but will try to prevent others from profiting
from human suffering or the suffering of other beings.
14.
The Fourteenth Mindfulness Training: Right
Conduct
(For lay members): Aware that sexual relations motivated by craving cannot
dissipate the feeling of loneliness but will create more suffering, frustration,
and isolation, we are determined not to engage in sexual relations without
mutual understanding, love, and a long-term commitment. In sexual relations,
we must be aware of future suffering that may be caused. We know that
to preserve the happiness of ourselves and others, we must respect the
rights and commitments of ourselves and others. We will do everything
in our power to protect children from sexual abuse and to protect couples
and families from being broken by sexual misconduct. We will treat our
bodies with respect and preserve our vital energies (sexual, breath,
spirit) for the realization of our bodhisattva ideal. We will be fully
aware of the responsibility of bringing new lives into the world, and
will meditate on the world into which we are bringing new beings.
(For
monastic members): Aware that the aspiration
of a monk or a nun can only be realized when
he or she wholly leaves behind the bonds of
worldly love, we are committed to practicing
chastity and to helping others protect themselves.
We are aware that loneliness and suffering
cannot be alleviated by the coming together
of two bodies in a sexual relationship, but
by the practice of true understanding and compassion.
We know that a sexual relationship will destroy
our life as a monk or a nun, will prevent us
from realizing our ideal of serving living
beings, and will harm others. We are determined
not to suppress or mistreat our body or to
look upon our body as only an instrument, but
to learn to handle our body with respect. We
are determined to preserve vital energies (sexual,
breath, spirit) for the realization of our
bodhisattva ideal
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