The Practice of Prayer byThich Nhat Hanh - The Mindfulness Bell

Tapestry of Prayer
by SusanMurphy
Since 1982,1 have been practicing Buddhist meditation
and Christian contemplative prayer. Both have been
very meaningful in my own spiritual formation, and Ihave
come to recognize both traditions as my spiritual roots. This
integration has deepened so that they have truly become one
fabric, one tapestry. For me, contemplative prayer isan
awareness of spacious presence. Many of the meditation
practices in The Miracle of Mindfulness have counterparts
in Christian prayer. For example, "phrase and breath" can be
done as "centering prayer," in which a word is given in
receptive silent prayer and then is repeated silently with the
breath.The mindfulness practice on those who are suffering
is similar to intercessory prayer, in which we open our
hearts in compassion to others and offer ourselves tobe
available to relieve their suffering. During times when my
mind is going too quickly or is insistently preoccupied, I
find counting the breath to be very helpful.
As a Quaker, I have been inspired by the similarities
between Quaker and Buddhist practice, especially the
Quaker queries and the Buddhist precepts. In addition to
individual contemplative prayer and "practicing the presence"
in daily life, Quakers also come together as acommunity,
sitting in silence, during which we are receptive to the
"presence in the midst." If someone is moved to do so,they
may stand and speak. If not, we simply sit in prayerful
receptiveness, listening to what is given in the spirit. This
experience of collective contemplative prayerfulness isat
theheart of Quaker faith and practice and is the foundation
for community discernment. It provides guidance for taking
compassionate action in the world. Thay often speaks of the
peace, joy, stability, and compassion which are natural
outcomes of our meditation practice. Quakers also recognize
that sitting in the divine presence results in the "fruits of the
spirit": love, joy, peace, patience, and gentleness.
It is not cultural context or external form that brings us
to the deep center, to that place of peace, joy, compassion,
wisdom, and discernment, but rather a very intimate
attention to the most simple presence.
Susan Murphy, True Good Birth, is a member of the Palo
Alto Friends' Meeting and facilitatesthe Friends' Mindfulness
Sangha.
The Dawn
by Webb Batchelor
Ihave been very bitter for many years of my life because
of serious disappointments and difficulties. For almost 60
years, it has seemed that pain, fear, and sorrow will go on
forever. Yesterday I was in a wretched, miserable state of
mind. I saw no escape, no relief, and what felt like "eternal
damnation." My only hope was to embark on mindful
walking, as taught by Thich Nhat Hanh. Fortunately Ihad
done it many times before, so it was easy. After 45 minutes,
I began to feel some peace and joy. Over and over again,
Thich Nhat Hanh's guidelines have worked for me like a
happiness pill when I feel depressed, scared, or angry. Iam
wise enough to know that beer drinking only makes my life
worse, and I have not drunk for ten years. Instead of buying
a 12-pack of beer when I feel horrible, all I need to do is get
a Thich Nhat Hanh book and follow the easy instructions!
When Ifeel doomed to hell, I have to be attracted into
doing what is good. Forcing myself just doesn't work.
When Igave up beer drinking because it was obvious it was
destroying me, immediately I saw AA as a pleasant substitute.
I suspect that I saw the pleasant substitute first, then
quit drinking. Soon I discovered books and developed a
growing interest in Buddhism, until I became really hooked,
and now Buddha has another tired old fish in his net.
Everyone has the right to believe that, in a miserable
night, dawn will inevitably come, and can come at any time.
Misery and despair are caused by confusion, so we need
calmness to clear up the confusion and see properly. If we
are told by someone with wisdom, "Hey, pal, it's going to
beall right," or "God will bring you through all this to the
Promised Land of sunshine in your soul," then we can relax
and be attracted to good action. It's like being told that the
train we are on is taking us to a good place. Then we can
breathe a sigh of relief and be mindful of the scenery
passing by. When I first came across Thich Nhat Hanh's
books, Iknew that Ihad found someone who really understood.
Through his teachings, I have realized that many
people have it harder than I do, so Ican turn my attention to
whatever can be accomplished that would benefit those
most in need. I want to be afriend to anyone who wants me
as a friend. I have realized that life is worth living.
Jesus, Buddha, and other great teachers certainly have
greater love, understanding, and clarity than I, so in spiteof
the doubts inmy raving mind, if they tell a dying man that
there is good news for everyone, I will believe them.
Webb Batchelor lives with his wife in Keister, Minnesota.
He has been sober forthe last ten years.
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