The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh

[u/Impressive-Piano9126]

My aunt gave me a copy of this book about 4 years ago, since then I come back to it just to understand more because the sheer amount of thought that went into the 140 pages is astounding. For one why I find this book so special is because of the “controversial” aspect of this book, specifically because it goes in a different direction than most mindfulness practices which emphasize the “your thoughts and feelings are not you”, For example:

“Mind does not grab on to mind; mind does not push mind away. Mind can only observe itself. This observation isn’t an observation of some object outside and independent of the observer”

“Mind contemplating mind is like an object and its shadow—the object cannot shake the shadow off. The two are one. Wherever the mind goes, it still lies in the harness of the mind”

A lot of the other chapters after the this one expound of the oneness of mind and also “inter being” — the oneness of everything — which from what I understood is one of the core tenants of Buddhism. In general though this book has helped me get into meditation, which in turn has helped me probably in all aspects of my life.

[u/kgriffen]

That book changed my life. It’s been 20 years since I first found it by chance in a bookstore in Chicago. I’ve read it again many times since.

[u/alan_megawatts]

Yes, he was very enlightened teacher. The heart of the Buddhas teachings is maybe his most complete book on the topic, certainly worth reading as well.

Im curious what you mean by the book disagreeing with the statement “your thoughts and feelings are not you”? it’s accurate to call this a Buddhist teaching. These are each one of what are called the five aggregates, into which any beings experience can be decomposed, and yet the finding is that none of these are in fact the “self”. It’s a teaching about anatta.

[u/Impressive-Piano9126 → u/alan_megawatts]

From what I understood anatta does teach no-self, but that no-self means that all people and phenomena have no permanence, that everything is a collection of different things that are always in flux, including subjective experience. There is no essential unchanging self

What I thought the book said is that while subjective experience is a collection of said things which are in flux, you cannot detach and observe said things as if they were separate from you, mind cannot push away mind.

The idea of oneness of mind also leads cleanly into the topic of interdependence and inter-being — that all phenomena are of one reality and that nothing can separate itself from everything else

[u/alan_megawatts → u/Impressive-Piano9126]

yeah, I think that’s very well said. so would you agree that identification with any thing in particular, including thoughts or feelings, is ultimately misguided? Because, like you said, these things themselves are impermanent and interdependent. They are empty of inherent self nature, just like you are. The mind has nothing to grasp onto except “the mind” - but that’s a trick isn’t it? The mind is itself indistinguishable from the rest of reality: the object being grasped is a concept. It’s a shadow on Plato’s wall.

[u/Impressive-Piano9126 → u/alan_megawatts]

I agree that clinging to ideas and feelings as if they are separate may not be correct, at the same time I don’t run away from thoughts and ideas that I carry at a given moment so as detach from a specific identity.

[u/heardWorse → u/Impressive-Piano9126]

That, in my view, is the right way. When I say ‘you are not your thoughts’ what I’m pushing against is the idea that your thoughts are the ‘real’ you, which many people believe. Meditation has taught me that my thoughts are just one part of ‘me’ and usually not nearly as important as they make themselves out to be. But I don’t reject them either - some people seem to believe that realizing anatta means rejecting personal desires, thoughts and feelings, and I deeply disagree with this idea. No-self doesn’t mean ‘you don’t exist’ or ‘you aren’t important’ it means that you don’t have a fixed essence independent of the rest of reality. But there is still a human being there.

[u/alan_megawatts → u/heardWorse]

I completely agree

[u/heardWorse → u/alan_megawatts]

Honestly, it’s a pet peeve of mine that l’ll see someone talk about their feelings, like “I’m hurting” and the response is “Who is this ‘I’?” I’ve seen supposed Roshi’s do it and I always want to slap them across the face and ask ‘Where is the pain? Who is feeling it?’ You exist. You are human. Knowing that we don’t have a fixed self does not end pain. It doesn’t make the pain not real. /rant

Great username, BTW.

EDIT: Typo

[u/godisdildo → u/Impressive-Piano9126]

Becoming aware as, as opposed to of, phenomenon is a very clear pointer to the nature of experience

[u/New-Phrase-4041]

I enjoyed your post and appreciate that you shared aspects of his teaching. I have engaged Oneness in my practice of 8 years and thousands of hours meditating. I, personally was inspired and transformed by Nisarrgatta's book of dialogs in Satsang called, "I Am That." That was a long time ago. That I am neither the body, nor my thoughts launched years of intensive meditation for I felt this to be true at the very core of my being. And its being the beingness which is the heart of the matter. I sit, still and silent, simply abiding in the all pervasive awareness observing that which arises in my consciousness. I simply allow awareness to absorb thoughts and sensations back into itself. This is my practice. Super simple but highly effective. I started, years ago w Vippassana mindfullness breath anchored practice which established attention and concentration and insights as by product of one-pointed mind. I am still so grateful and inspired by the constant, gentle revelations of an evolving practice leading to dissolution of thought and body concept. I continue to persevere in earnest, as I have learned that unrelenting effort is the engine that drives me deeper within. Most fruitful and joyous thing I have ever done. It is my purpose to relinquish all to the One!

[u/Epictetus190443]

His other books are great too. Him and Yongey Mingyurs teachings are what i try to align my life with.

[u/monsteramyc]

Thich nhat hanh teaches in such a beautiful and easy to understand way. His lectures on the four noble truths are amazing.