October is a month of Halloween – anticipated with eager impatience by some and also with eager antipathy by some others. Well, this year the celebration will be different altogether due to the rules and regulations we live by now. All the trick-or-treating activities, walking from house to house and throwing dress-up dinners and parties won’t be happening, or at least not to the traditional scale of community gatherings and huge haunted houses. And also, it is true, that in the last 6 months the novelty of face masks and all sorts of differently shaped face covers has somewhat washed away (if not totally vanished!), as every single day has turned into what used to be perceived as “Halloween dress up day” – just look at the variety of the masks we wear with all sorts of designs, all sorts of political and religious statements, all sorts of film and book trivia, animal faces and lips, emojis and flowers, brand names and logos. 

In colder places on our Planet October is recognized as a month when leaves start covering the ground in earnest and air has that sweet smell of good buys and nostalgia. 

October is also the birthday month of Thich Nhat Hanh – Zen Master, author, poet and peacemaker, revered around the world for his efforts in spreading mindfulness, compassion and peace. Thầy (as he is lovingly referred to) will turn 94 years old this month. In the recent letter from the Plum Village Monastery to the whole community of his followers – monks, nuns and lay people alike – there were some beautiful and encouraging words: “We are so happy that Thầy has compassionately stayed with us since his massive stroke almost six years ago, offering his presence, stability, and witness, as we step up to nurture and grow the Plum Village international community, and continue his teachings and legacy. ((…) Since October 2018, Thầy has been residing at Từ Hiếu Temple in Huế, where he first entered the monkhood almost 80 years ago.)

We know that what nourishes and sustains Thầy’s spirit the most, is to hear all the ways that his students, both lay and monastic, all over the world, are continuing to put his teachings into practice in their daily life and in society. To celebrate Thầy’s “continuation day” on October 11th, we are inviting all of Thầy’s hundreds of thousands of students to practice walking meditation, and to forgive and love those with whom they have difficulties. This is a beautiful way to continue Thầy in the world, and nourish his spirit while he is still with us. “

I definitely will be walking on that day with continuation in mind and with Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings in mind. I have tried to follow his teachings in my daily life and read and re-read his many books for many years. (And many of them are on the  Let It Go Yoga Teachers Training program’s reading list! A couple of them were already on that list 20 years ago when I took my training!) I have enjoyed the breath work and meditations he has taught. I have used his quotes in my yoga classes – both when teaching adults and also when teaching kids. I have been excited to learn about his “non-electricity day” and “non-car day” that he established in his community a long time ago. I have been captivated by his calligraphy art. I have learned from his Dharma talks and admired the simplicity and depth of his loving messages. I have allowed his poems to soothe my soul and lighten my days. I have gifted his books to my friends. His work over decades and decades has brought light. And continues to do so.  And I believe that we all could use all the light we can get and then some right now. I also believe that we could use a little nudge to continue… and to walk gently with loving compassion towards ourselves and our friends, and towards those whom we do not call our friends. “To develop compassion in ourselves, we need to practice mindful breathing, deep listening, and deep looking. (…) With compassion in our heart, every thought, word, and deed can bring about a miracle”, writes Thầy in his “Teachings on Love” book.

“When you practice walking meditation, take one step at a time and take it with all your being, not just fifty percent. For it to be a real step, body and mind have to be together”, continues Thầy. So, during the month of October (and especially on October 11th – Thầy’s birthday) I propose to use our walks (and each step we take (even if not a part of formal “walk”) to bring more light and love, and peace to this world. 

And let’s “Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.” (from ”Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life.”)

Let’s walk and let’s continue spreading peace and love.

Written by Indra Strong, Certified Let It Go Yoga teacher. Photo Credit: Indra Strong.

 

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