Thích Nhất Hạnh: We Are Here To Awaken

 Quotes from Thích Nhất Hạnh

We are here to awaken 

from the illusion of our separation.

Every thought you produce, anything you say, 

any action you do, it bears your signature.
 
 What do we most need to do to save our world? 
What we most need to do is to hear within us 
the sounds of the Earth crying.
  

Many people are alive 

but don't touch the miracle of being alive.
 

People have a hard time letting go of 

their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, 

they prefer suffering that is familiar. 
 

When another person makes you suffer, 

it is because he suffers deeply within himself, 

and his suffering is spilling over. 

He does not need punishment; he needs help. 

That's the message he is sending.
  

 Freedom is not given to us by anyone; 

we have to cultivate it ourselves. It is a daily practice... 

No one can prevent you from being aware of each step 

you take or each breath in and breath out.
 

 We have to continue to learn. 

We have to be open. And we have to be ready 

to release our knowledge in order to come to 

a higher understanding of reality.
 

 To be beautiful means to be yourself. 

You don’t need to be accepted by others. 

You need to accept yourself.
 

Because you are alive, everything is possible.

 Everything we think, feel, and do has an effect 
on our ancestors and all future generations
and reverberates throughout the Universe. 
Therefore, our smile helps everyone.
 

 We have to walk in a way that we only print 

peace and serenity on the Earth. 

Walk as if you are kissing the 

Earth with your feet.
 

People usually consider walking on water  or

in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle 

is not to walk either on water or in thin air, 

but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged 

in a miracle which we don't even recognize: 

a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, 

curious eyes of a child -- our own two eyes. 

All is a miracle.