Quotes from Thich Nhat Hanh

The person who has nothing to do doesn't need to put on airs or leave any trace behind.

When I became a novice monk, I lived in a temple where the atmosphere was quite like in a family. The abbot is like a father and other monks are like your big brothers, your small, younger brothers. It is a kind of family.

Breathe in deeply to bring your mind home to your body. Then look at, or think of, the person triggering this emotion: With mindfulness, you can see that she is unhappy, that she is suffering. You can see her wrong perceptions. You can see that she is not beautiful when she says things that are unkind.

Nothing can be by itself alone, no one can be by himself or herself alone, everyone has to inter-be with every one else. That is why, when you look outside, around you, you can see yourself.

In this world, few people look with the eyes of compassion, and so we are cruel and merciless toward each other. The weak are always oppressed by the strong.

Suffering has causes which can be illuminated in order to be removed

Thus we are sucked away into the future—and we are incapable of actually living one minute of life.

Don't wait for tomorrow. Tomorrow may be too late. If we know how to live according the insight of impermanence, we will not make many mistakes. We can be happy right now. We can love our beloved, care for her, and make her happy today. And we won't run toward the future, losing our life, which is available only in the present moment.

Many of us spend a lot of time sitting—too much time. We sit at our jobs, we sit at our computers, and we sit in our cars. To sit, in this book, means to sit in such a way that you enjoy sitting, to sit in a relaxed way, with your mind awake, calm, and clear. This is what we call sitting , and it takes some training and practice.

Understanding is the very foundation of love. When you understand someone, you cannot help but love him or her.

Part of acknowledging suffering is acknowledging we need help. It is much easier to practice compassion if you have the energy and support of a community.

Reconcile with yourself for the sake of the world , for the sake of all living beings . Your peace and serenity are crucial for all of us .