The World We Have

Author: Thich Nhat Hanh (2008)

Quotes

When we fight against the nature of impermanence, we suffer. We can allow our fear, anger, and despair to overwhelm us. That's why it is very important to deal with our fear and despair before we can deal with the issue of global warming and other environmental concerns.

If we don't recognize the fear inside us, it will continue to shape our behavior.

If we only see the wave with its manifestations of being born and dying, we will suffer. But if we see the water, which is the basis of the wave, and we see that all the waves are returning to water, we have nothing to fear.

We have to accept death; it makes life possible. The cells in our bodies are dying every day, but we never think to organize a funeral for them. The death of one cell allows the birth of another. Life and death are two aspects of the same reality. We must learn to die peacefully so that others may live.

We are all children of the Earth, and, at some time, she will take us back to herself again. We are continually arising from Mother Earth, being nurtured by her, and then returning to her. All life is impermanent. Like us, plants are born, live for a period of time, and then return to the Earth. When they decompose, they fertilize our gardens. Living vegetables and decomposing vegetables are part of the same reality. Without one, the other cannot be.

Our Sangha aspires to live in harmony with the land, with all the vegetation and animals, and with all our brothers and sisters. When we are in harmony with each other, we are also in harmony with the land.