J 'Bell - The Mindfulness Bell

Thdy: The American culture is an open society. It is open
to other influences. It is not old yetso it canrenew itself easier
than other societies. Suffering is important. If welookdeeply
into the suffering, it will leadus to wisdomand compassion. If
Americans know how to look deeply at suffering, they will
understand the roots to stop suffering in America and in other
countries.
There is a growing consciousness among Americans about
what they are consuming. They know thatcertain foods cause
suffering to their bodies and consciousness. Tofu is aprotein
that is far safer than proteinfrom meat. It is easier to digest, and
the making of tofu isless damaging to the environment. Tofu
is much easier to findin America than in France. The consumptionof
alcohol has caused many families to be broken.Young
people suffer because of this. Sexual misbehavior has destroyed
many families and society, too. To protect ourselves
and our families, we have to practice the third precept. We
know this. We have to practice as a society, as a nation. By
doing so, other nations will benefitfrom ourpractice. Consume
less meat and alcohol, and take care of your families. All the
jewels are buried in your tradition. Go back and rediscover
them. You'll bring happiness to yourself and to other people.
Jerry: I have trouble being calm when chaosis goingon in
my head. Although I try to be mindful, I have trouble doing so.
Today, during walking meditation I heard gunshots from
hunters in the areaandit immediately brought back memories
from the war. I felt angry and afraid.
Thdy: Don't tryso hardto be mindful. Just bein touchwith
whatis around you andyou willbe healed. Look at thepeople
around you who are able to smile and walk calmly. If you do
this you will have peace and joy. Just be yourself. Don' t try too
hard. Just allow yourself to be.
Sr. Chan Khong: When fear arises, smile to it and say,
"Hello, fear. The gunshots are from hunters. We are not in
Vietnam anymore,we are in France. We arein Plum Village."
Ted: I have a similar problem with noises. As a medic, when
Iheard a loud noise Ihad to stay in control. Now when I hear
a loud noise, I stillmaintain control butafterward I feel angry.
Sr. Chan Khong: Still we must say hello to the anger. We
have to develop the habitof saying hello to fear or angerwhen
it arisesin order to be free from it. It may be alsouseful to talk
to the brothers and sisters who are here with you. Sometimes
being deeply heard by others can help you let go of your
suffering.
Thdy: Sometimes we don't need to suffer but we are
attached to it. There is a garden with many beautiful treesand
flowers. One of the trees is dying. You cry over that one and
ignoreall the others. You are unable to enjoy the beauty of the
other trees. It's the same situation. You are walking with us
here in Plum Village. We are supposed to be one bodymaking
peaceful steps on Mother Earth. The hunters' guns can touch
seeds of suffering in you andmany friends around you. But it
is important to say, "Iam walking with many friends inPlum
Village." However, you may want toimprison yourself inthe
memory of the past, but sticking to your suffering is notgood
for yourself and is not good for humanity. Suffering is not
enough. We can learn a lot from suffering, but life has many
wonderful things too. Don't make the dying tree the only
reality.
You are a veteran, but you are more than a veteran. All of
us are veterans, both Vietnamese and Americans. We have
suffered. I have to be able tonotonly help myself, but also my
sisters, brothers, children, society. You cannot imprison yourself
in your own suffering. You have to transform it.
Ted: It's true what you're saying about hanging on to
suffering. Yet I believe that if I pretend thatmy experiencesof
suffering do not exist, they will come around and surface in
another way. We are taught by psychotherapists to look at our
suffering.
Sr. Chan Khong: Observing your fear is good to do. We
cannot pretend that the fear is not in us. Butto only observe the
fear is not enough. Practice seeing the joy that arises in each
moment, too. Today you are with Thay and many friends in
Plum Village. Be awareof this, andof the fact that youare still
alive,in good health, with good friends, and that you are able
to be here. Maxine has spent a lot of energy on this project.
Years ago, she spoke to me about this dream of bringing
veterans to Plum Village. She wondered how she could realize
this dream. B ei ng aware that you are here as a miracle is enough
tomake us all very happy.
Thdy: When I talk about the garden, I recognize that the tree
is dying in my garden. I also see the many nonsuffering
elements that are in the garden. If you can see the entire garden,
the suffering and the nonsuffering elements, your suffering
will be transformed.
During the course of the interview, Thay asked Maxine to
sing a song. She refused at first, laughing and denying her
ability to sing. Then she reconsidered and said, "With mindful
breathing, anything is possible." She then sang "Amazing
Grace," with the veterans singing along in support.
Maxine: Today is Thanksgiving, and I feelthankful for you,
Thay,andfor Plum Village,and your welcoming us here. The
first day our group arrived, one nun greeted us at the train
station, saying, "Let's go home." Another nun greeted us in the
Lower Hamlet saying, "Welcome home."
In America, many veterans are homeless, even the ones
livingin a house. I am very happy to bring these veterans to a
place where they can find home both in a place and a spirit.
Order member Carole Melkonian, True Grace, is spending the
winter in Plum Village. Traveling with the veterans was a BBC
crew thatfilmedthe veterans' "return " to Plum Village as part
of adocumentary on journeys to be aired on British television
in April 1996. They filmed Thdy's talks and interviewed Sr.
Chan Khong about the history of PlumVillage, her humanitarian
work during the Vietnam War, and her work today to help
people heal fromthe wounds of war.