The Practice of Prayer byThich Nhat Hanh - The Mindfulness Bell

long as we have the notion that we and God are separate
entities, it takes time for our prayer to reach the satelliteand
for God to receive and send it to the one wepray for. Butin
deep Christianity and deep Buddhism, we see that the one
we pray to and the one we pray for are both in the same
satellite, which is in us. Collective consciousness and
individual consciousness exist simultaneously. When we are
in touch with our own consciousness, we are already in
touch with the collective consciousness. Touching the
collective consciousness, we also touch our individual
consciousness.
We think that those who have passed away no longer
exist, but according to
Buddhism, that is not
correct. They are still
there, everywhere,
including in us. Although
your grandmother has
passed away, she is still in
you. When you understand
this, your prayers will be
effective. Buddha is the
nature of beauty and
goodness in you. When
you touch the Buddha in
you, you can do what he
has done. When you are
angry or sad, if you touch
those seeds of beauty and
goodness in you, you will
see more clearly. The
Buddha in you helps you
overcome difficulties. He
helps you accept things
that are difficult to accept.
He transforms you.
If you hear that the
Buddha will lead a
walking meditation on
Gridhrakuta Mountain and
if you want to fly to India
to join him, I would
certainly understand. But
if you practice walking
meditation every day and
know how to be deeply in touch with life, you will not need
tofly to Gridhrakuta Mountain. Buddha is not a concept, but
the true nature of awakening. You can take a step right here
and now, and you are already walking hand in hand with the
Buddha.
We can pray not only to God, the Buddha, or our
ancestors, but also to those who are still alive.When we
have difficulties, if we think of someone who has stability,
joy, peace, and a clear mind, we feel supported. These living
bodhisattvas have the ability to listen to us and use their
energy to help us. We should pray not only to bodhisattvas
who are in the clouds, like Avalokiteshvara, but to those
who are alive on earth. Your own roommate may be a
bodhisattva, but if you don't hold her in high enough
esteem, you will not see her. If she listens with all her heart,
with all her attention and compassion, she is
Avalokiteshvara. If you open your heart only to bodhisattvas
in the clouds, you may miss many real bodhisattvas here
who have love and care, who listen to you deeply.
Bodhisattvas are people who have practiced day after day so
that their insight has grown. When you walk in mindfulness
and have more peace and joy, your insight is growing. It is
not only the Buddha who has
insight. You also have your
insight. You might have been
less compassionate in the
past, but through the practice
your compassion has grown.
I often pray to those who
are still alive. There are many
small Sanghas everywhere of
people who really practice
and transform their suffering.
I feel deeply supported by
them. This is real prayer. I
also pray to trees, the moon,
and the stars. They are strong
and stable, and they can
support us. Do not pray to
God as a concept. Touch God
in His creations. You are a
creation, so you can touch
God in yourself and in those
around you. Let us look at
The Lord's Prayer:
Our Father who art in
Heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day
our daily bread,
and forgiveus our trespasses,
as we forgivethose who
trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us fromevil. Amen.
"Thy Kingdom come. " The best way to chant, sing, or
pray is to touch the kingdom of God right here and now.
"Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. " This is the
key. The Lord's will must be realized not only in heaven,
but also on earth. Don't wait until you reach the kingdom of
God—until you pass away—to obtain stability, peace, and
joy. Touch it here and now. A Zen master was asked,
"Where do you find the world of no-birth and no-death?"
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