In my late thirties, I was having a real crisis of faith. I was searching for meaning in life, living in my past and dreading the future. Mental Illness had a fierce grip on me. And then I read about Thích Nhất Hạnh in one of Dr. Wayne Dyer’s books and looked him up online. I became enchanted by this simple Vietnamese Buddhist monk and ordered many of his books. I learned about his exile from Vietnam for helping the Buddhist there fight for their freedom through nonviolence. I read about his visit with Martin Luther King, Jr. during which time he encouraged King to denounce the Vietnam War, which King did. I read everything he wrote with great interest and began practicing many of his teachings. I now consider Thay, as his friends call him, my spiritual teacher. It would be my wish to some day visit his monastery called Plum Village, situated in the Dordogne region of southern France. His health has been bad for a while since he had a stroke in 2014, but he appears to be improving. I say a little prayer each day for his health just before my morning mediation. Here are some of my favorite quotes by Thay:
And the quote that taught me the importance of Silence:
Interesting Fact: After decades in exile, Thay was finally allowed back into Vietnam in 2005, though his visit swarmed with controversy.
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that quote about fear of the unknown really hits the spot for me right now, weird that I had just written a post that pretty much said the same thing
Oh wow.. sounds like synchronicity happened 🙂 I will stop by and have a read.. Thanks, Jill 🙂
Interesting blog, Lori. I enjoy reading about who inspires you!
Thank you so much, Angie 🙂
His books are great! Very good to read if you are going through some struggles.
Indeed they are, Mike 🙂 Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I admit to being jealous of a couple friends who have visited Plum village. Thích Nhất Hạnh inspires me but I have never been a follower of anything or anyone for very long. I’m just too spazzy. But I love Thay’s work and also send him good thoughts, energy, and blessings. I should come by here more often! At least A to Z prodded me to do it.
Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts with me on Thay 🙂
He has a lot of inspiring quotes. Thanks for sharing.
Yvonne V
Thanks for stopping by Yvonne… I appreciate the feedback 🙂
I have so much affection and admiration for Thay too Lori thank you for bringing him to the fore in your post. Those quotes are very powerful thank you for including them. I’m glad that he got you through that tough time.
I know he’s been ill and I hear he’s been improving, little by little. I remember reading him writing about his mother ..
You can see his goodness in his pictures ..
It is my pleasure to include him among the people who inspire me, Susan. He is an important spiritual teacher to me. And I agree.. when I look upon him, I see pure love radiating from him 🙂 Thank you for stopping by again. I am enjoying your visits and your comments. Have a blessed weekend, Susan 🙂
I believe faith is the real thing for inspiration
And yet you direct me to a blog where a post on fashion is the first post? Where a complaint is made about the internet destroying fashion runways? Something material? that has absolutely NOTHING to do with faith? Thanks, but I will stick with the PEOPLE who inspire me.
🙏 prayers for Thay ❤️
Thank you, Linda 🙂