As a nurse. I come back to this when the suffering of others gets too much to bear. If you are lucky enough to be a support person for a nurse or other health care worker share this with them. Especially after this past year of working in health care.

I'd just want to add that you should be careful, especially if you're a beginner. He alludes to it a little here, but it is more explicit in some of his books and from other writers on mindfulness. Having a practice of mindfulness over time increases the strength of mindfulness. Having support from others also helps it. In a lot of ways, having a regular practice is training for other times. When you're in the middle of powerful emotions, it is hard to remember to be mindful, and even if you do remember and try to be mindful, you might get stuck in your own head with negative thoughts or disassociating. We have patterns built up in our minds from over the years, and it isn't easily changed. But by building up the strength of your mindfulness, you're more likely to notice early signs of emotional storms as they're starting and be more likely to be able to intervene and cut things off before it gets worse. You're also able to handle stronger emotions in general. Until you get to that point, it still may be safer to distract yourself and come back to it later. As an aside, it's been interesting for me to see how the brain can feed negative emotions and keep them going. You feel anxious and are likely to think anxious thoughts and even fall into imagining bad scenarios in minute detail that haven't even happened yet and probably won't. But if you start to notice what is happening, you may still have thoughts but don't get as sucked into the thoughts. Or you notice you're imagining something. You go back to noticing your breathing and noticing the emotion itself. I can say "I'm feeling anxious". It's an uncomfortable feeling to sit with, but just by noticing it and calling it what it is, it has less power. Maybe an anxious thought comes up and it's like "hey.. there's an anxious thought.. that makes sense since I'm feeling anxious". Believing the anxious thoughts and getting lost in an anxious fantasy increases the anxiety, giving it strength. Without that, it tends to dissipate on its own a lot faster than it would have otherwise. That little bit of distance from the feeling and your thoughts also makes self-compassion easier. We're often compassionate to other people in a way that we aren't to ourselves. If a friend was having a panic attack, we'd give them a hug and try to help them through it. But if it is us, we may get frustrated and even angry at ourselves. With mindfulness, you get more used to noticing things without judging them. So when you go "I'm feeling anxious", it tends to be more a statement of fact then a judgement. So it is easier for that part of yourself that's observing to instead feel compassionate for yourself for going through this negative emotion. None of this stuff is easy and takes work. It's a process that you can improve at over time. There are some self-help people out there that kind of pervert these ideas to just blame the victim for their own pain. It may be true in a literal sense that our own minds and reactions to things cause us a lot of pain that isn't necessary, but that doesn't mean it is easy to change that, or that someone has the right tools to do it. We always need compassion for other people for where they are in their journey, and for ourselves in the same way.

“Going deep within yourself to embrace your suffering with tenderness will calm it down in a few minutes.”❤️

This man is brought so much peace to the world. We are so blessed to have had him. Rest in peace.

“Most people are afraid when they come home to themselves and touch the pain inside, they will be overwhelmed by the suffering. And that is why their practice is to run away, or imagine something about the future to forget, or go back to the past to forget.” He speaks to clearly. So powerful.

Just heard the news. A beautiful monk, thinker, friend, mentor, and human being. It’s such a sad day, but as was said in this very video, we can nourish ourselves with the happiness and joy Thich Naht Hanh gave us. We have his talks to keep us in comfort whenever you might need them. I love him and all of you and there’s nothing you can do about it. ✌🏼❤️

I started crying. I was overwhelmed before watching this video. I love you all, you wonderful people. 🧡

“If you have enough compassion you do not mind being in this difficult suffering situation “…. I come to this video first thing every morning to bring calmness into my mind , so I will not cry…

I've been coming back to this video consistently for the past 2 weeks, and it always helps me to face my fears.

After studying and practicing Buddhism for more years than I care to remember, this IS THE greatest teaching of our Lord Buddha. Forget the past, it's gone, don't waste time on the future that is incredibly unpredictable. Just be here now in this wonderful, blissful moment because that is all there is . . . sadhu, sadhu, sadhu🙏🙏🙏!!!

He's so reverent and humble. It emanates.

Today I miss my dear friend Mary, who had a beautiful, authentic smile and laugh, so rare, who left this plane in 2000. I believe she left with her joy intact, despite so many sufferings ( cancer and the treatments). She loved Thich Nhat Hanh. Bless you, Mary. Thank you for your light.

I’m smiling, with some tears in my eyes while I’m listening to this sweet and peaceful being….In fact, I feel more peaceful and happy listening to him…being able to practice his teachings is something beautiful to do in this life…

“Breathing in, I know that I am breathing in...Breathing out I know that I am breathing out”, from his book, “You Are Here”.

My late martial arts instructor said to me when I first met him ‘do you know what the hardest thing in the world is’ I had no idea how to answer and he said ‘to be a nice person’ the majority of people you meet will say they are a nice person, but would the world be as it is if we were all nice. I have thought on that simple answer he gave me a lot and it makes you examine yourself and others more than you would think. Some of the greatest teachings aren’t complicated, mostly they are breathtakingly obvious, but sadly not obvious enough. I will certainly be revisiting this video as it’s simplicity is beautiful.

I just miss him so much. He literally saved my life with his teachings. RIP Thich Nhat Hanh

Every so often a human enters this world who is like the brightest light ever and this man was that light. It will shine forever. Bless you.

He always waits before he answers, starts talking. What a spiritual person, waiting for the spiritual announcement/messages. Deep Respect. Love you!

Sixty seconds in and my eyes are tearing up. It is an essential question: how to be with this moment when this moment hurts so much.

What I have learned is that after our dog passed away last December is to accept the pain I felt, in fact I have embraced it and did not run from it. It was hard but also very healing, and every day the pain became a little bit less. Thank you for this important lesson in my life ❤️

Notes from the video(Part 1): When we go back to the present moment, we could encounter either of the 2 situations: happiness or pain. We don't like pain, try to run away and pretend it is not there by imagining the future or going back to the past to forget, or we try to cover it up by consumption. We hope by doing these things we don't have to encounter the suffering in us, thus allow the pain to continue to grow in us. So going back to the unbearable present moment is the only chance for us to understand the suffering, do something to calm it down and transform it. Here's how: a.generate energy of mindfulness by mindful breathing or mindful walking. /if there are group practioners, you can profit from their energy of mindfulness and compassion. b.the energy of mindfulness helps you to be strong enough to recognize(look the nature of suffering) and encounter the pain and embrace it tenderly. c. Embrace the pain tenderly/with tenderness, in a few minutes you can calm it down. d. get in touch with suffering, brings about understanding of suffering. e. And understanding and compassion has the power to heal. /heal you and your surrounding. f. when suffering less, we can help other people to do the same.

Overwhelming feeling of gratitude for Thich Nhat Hanh

Rest in peace, Thay. You have taught me SO MUCH. I feel so lucky to have been alive at the same time as you. Never met you but because I've felt your words in my heart I will miss you and do my best to carry a candle of your light with me wherever I go. Thank you for what you taught us while you were here and for risking your life for peace and love. May you have peace and comfort in abundance at last and may you be happy and whole again wherever you are. I am crying but it's not entirely from pain - it is sad that you aren't "here" physically anymore but I am so happy that you are free again. I'll never forget you.

"...And if there is a group of people practicing together, embracing the suffering with tenderness, they will experience that collective energy of compassion that will heal them..." Thank you Thich Nhat Hahn 🙏

We lost a great Buddhist teacher.But the universe has gained a amazing teacher.Rest in peace .Thank you for all your wisdom and work done to bring peace to the world.Amitofu.🙏

It’s very unfortunate that 3500 people disliked this kind piece of wisdom. May you all be filled with loving kindness. May you be strong and well. May you be safe and protected. May you be happy. 🙏

Such an incredible human being ❤️

This is how a good and happy person looks like, and its so beautiful, you can see true love in his face 💓

It is probably possible to stay in the present moment when we are feeling emotional pain, but when physical pain rips us apart, everything becomes unbearable...The past, the present & the future. I'm a healthcare worker. I see people struggling to breathe, struggling to stand or sit, even eat, devastated by pain, & it's unbearable to watch. We must be thankful for our good health. That, in itself, is a Divine blessing, & everything else will fall into place with time.

I really don't know how this video has so many dislikes. It's such an amazing way to look at suffering in the present moment.

Such a kind and compassionate man. We need more like him!

Standing quietly by the fence you smile your wondrous smile, I am speechless, and my senses are filled by the sounds of your beautiful song. Beginningless and endless, I bow deeply to you - Thich Nhat Hahn 🕊

Several years ago, I listened to Brene Brown's TED Talk on vulnerability and started therapy. I started to do my best not to run from the pain in myself. This is very similar to what he is saying in the video, and it indeed leads to healing and growth. I recently had transformative experiences and began to believe in God. I turned to spiritual teachings for answers and have found that I was on the right path all along without even knowing it. I find the parallels between modern psychology and Buddhism very interesting, but I will continue trusting my own intuition above all else.

We need more people like Thay!!❤❤

இனம் புரியாத அமைதி என்னுள் வந்துவிடுகின்றது இவரது பேச்சைக் கேட்கும்போது. விழிப்புணர்வு இயக்கத்தின் தந்தையே, நீங்கள் அமைதியாக இருங்கள்! Some strange peace comes within me when I hear his speech. Father of mindfulness, rest in peace!

Thank you so much for this teaching I have been a social worker for 40+ years and have only recently found the practice and it is changing my life.

I'm amazed at how calming his voice is, also that he's in his 90's still going strong!

I'm happy that I found this wise old man. I am a Christian but have difficulty dealing with my own emotions hiding in the past and fearing the future. Balance is about Peace within ones self. If you can't first face your own emotions and the suffering that it can cause, how in turn can you bring others out of suffering. That's what this world needs more of is inner peace and selflessness.

I love this man so much. Thank you Master. May you be resting in paradise after your years of helping millions of ppl. Never forgotten. Always loved. Rest easy Sir 🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️❤️

RIP. You were a gift to us who are still alive. Your teachings brings calm & peace to the soul.

Nurse yourself with love and kindness in the present moment

"So, if you have compassion, you don't mind being in a difficult, suffering situation, then you are protected. You will not be overwhelmed by collective energy of suffering emmited by the people around." ♥️ 🌱 I have compassion. I can breath in difficult situations. I am protected.

I am truly thankful to hear this reminder of words of wisdom for compassion for ourselves and transferring this compassion we feel for ourselves on to others. I am understanding and learning how to relate to the collective realm, in order to make a positive difference in our world. Thank you for allowing me to be here now. I feel so much love🙏⚛️💓💫💥

Amazing the way he speaks, transmits peace and tranquility in one's mind, God bless

Such beautiful teachings. Gratitude to everyone who helped put this video out. And Thich Nhat Hanh, of corse.

Lovely lesson. It has taken me a lifetime to accept the present moment due to trauma. The present moment is the healthiest reality , and ultimately the most satisfying be it hard times or good. Blessings to you !

After 7 years of this video been published, it continues to stay relevant. Thank you for your wisdom. Forever grateful for your present teachings. It has alowed me to stay present in suffering and difficult situations

Seeing the suffering of others leads to awareness and acceptance of life's tribulations. If you are suffering, take time out to heal with support from others, have compassion for yourself. Smile and let go...

Going to listen to it daily until I stop running away from the suffering. ❤️🙏🏻and be brave and face it.

You have to practice detachment ,but at the same time doing your duty to the fullest .

What I love about Thich Nhat Hanh is how at peace he is & how warm. Just watching and listening to him I can start to feel warm and at peace. Someone who has newly passed I can often feel that way but with him it is so much more. Like floating on a stream. Thank you!

So much wisdom for healing in this vid! May everyone become more aware and intentional in staying present!

This is beautiful! Suffering is inevitable. It is how well you accept it that will determine how much! Suffering for Christ's sake makes it more bearable & gives it a much deeper meaning & appreciation. Thank you for blessing us with your soul... it is with me! 💜🙏🏼😇

Thank you for your wisdom and prayers. The nourishment of self and acceptance of the present moment and feelings can be very hard in today’s world But being in the moment is the only way to transform it🙏🏼💕

I respect how he really acknowledges suffering and hurt as part of the human experience. Something you can notice, just from the way that he speaks, he understands the value of taking a pause and silence. Silence is incredibly important.

There are so many gurus on the internet who are obviously attempting to make money off of people who are desperate for answers to life’s problems. Thich Nhat Hanh is completely different from these gurus. He lives his practice and is sincere. Grateful to have learned from his teachings.

Have read the book 'Old path white clouds : walking in the footsteps of Buddha'. My life has changed after reading that book. Very grateful to Plum Village channel. Have watched several useful motivational as well as meditation guiding videos. My humble pranams to all the teachers. 🙏🙏🙏

Thay, i will miss you so much. Thank you for everything. You are with your Mother now. We are so blessed to have these videos.

Thich Nhat Hanh sweetness is tangible. He deeply inspires with his wisdom. These are beautiful transformative words. Much love to all!

Be gentle with to your emotional pain the same way you are gentle with a child’s scraped knee. The hurt needs a balm and a hug ❤

Merci vénérable maître. Je suis si reconnaissante de vos enseignements et si apaisée. Le monde a tellement besoin d'êtres qui rayonnent de bienveillance comme vous. ❤

Peace in every step, when I became 18 yes old that book was my life and way to get up , when I see him on the screen I see a familiar face that was there for me in needed times of hardship. I am so grateful for his ability to be able 🙏 ❤ to be an example of the Great One's teachings, om mani padme hum huri om

A beautiful teaching - simple and one of the most precious concepts I have embraced in my life. I am so thankful 🙏

I love this man. He is a remarkable human being. Very insightful, very accessible.

Understanding and compassion has the power of healing.... 💜💜💜

I don't know why this video has so many dislikes. TNH is a wonderful man who has shared knowledge that has saved the lives on many.

Thich Nhat Hanh has always been in such a lovely nice kind mood while talking to the people in interviews

Rest In Peace will be missed He is changed the world His words is so simple and easy to understand

This gives me much peace to listen to. Many Thanks

Question wasn’t about a “not pleasant” moment, but an unbearable moment. Not everyone has experienced unbearable.

Thank you so much Venerable Thay. Your teachings are amazing. My honor and gratitude to you. Evangelina Cortes.

Staying in the present moment the last 18 months helped me live through the most emotionally and physically demanding and painful stages of my cancer journey. How did I do it ? What did I do ? The first thing I did was to accept it. Receive it completely what life had thrown at me without adding to it, subtracting from it , ignoring it, rejecting it or fighting it . Be with whatever fell on my lap. Not dwell in the past or future but remain steadfast and receptive for anything that came to me every single day. And simply lived for that day and immersed myself in Thay’s teachings.

Heard the news as well... I can only wish this gifted man blessings on the next journey 🙏 I only came upon this video the other day in a search for relief from my anxiety. I can truly say my mindset has been "different" in the past few days. I owe that to Thich Naht Hanh - in one moment he brought me much needed relief from a pain I've lived with for some time now. Thank you & Godspeed sir 🙏

I just saw he was born in 1926. His vitality and beautiful energy is amazing at his age! Thank you Thich Naht Hanh for sharing with us your kind wisdom.

So beautiful. Just to see him, after reading the question, to see him compose himself, settle into himself, into the moment, to hear the answer. I went to that place along with him.

Everytime I feel the moment unbearable, I tune into this video. It is life saving.

He’s right! I’ve only recently begun to embrace the suffering and what has happened is the suffering naturally dissolves overtime as I allow myself to feel it. It doesn’t all go away at once but it’s like I’m releasing it overtime from the years of buildup! From just a little bit of time doing this I feel so much more like myself, Whole. 🙂 Embracing the feelings sucks at first but then you feel alive! Which is priceless! Still learning to not judge and experience what I’m experiencing so thank you for these videos 🙂

Excellent true words. Thank you for your loving presence.

this man is full of that timeless wisdom that will still be relevant many centuries from now

I believe this is why 12 step programs are so helpful in healing us. Because we see the world from a different view and learn compassion for others. Realizing life is not just about us and our suffering. It helps people heal to hear other perspectives and to help others also.

I have heart valve problem...due to stress anxiety and depression, I guess... After,I start to follow thay meditation step... I don't experience the pain...I feel better and differently.. Gratitude and thank you for the guidance. ❤🧡🙏

Very relevant. Very thought provoking. A simple advice of acknowledging our pain to face it and embrace it has been delivered in such a wise manner. One cannot deny such simple advice is a challenge to execute. I love this phrase, "The past and the future are like images, only the present moment is real." when think deeply, there is so much truth in thta phrase. Often times we trapped ourselves in the past and get so anxious of the future with present not lived; and then we regret our actions of not living in the now. Pure wisdom. ♥️

Thank you dear Thay and Plum Village the ease of mind is most difficult during these tumultuous times at America.🕉☮️🙏

A very important and difficult practice: we need patience, a good group, inspiration, and stamina. He speaks from experience. God bless you, Thich Nhat Hanh, and all who are on this journey.

@ They go home to heal. Home is inside you self you have stated. How do they heal? Nourish your self with joy and happiness. Calm your thoughts and emotions and transform it. Look to the root cause. Problem solving, soultion and resource finding. Treat your self with compassion and self love, self nurture. Seek comfort and understanding. Encouragement and nurshishment. What can you do with what you have to make things more pleasant inside yourself and your surroundings/environment. Connect. Be inspired. Be nurished.

Thank you for helping us in such harsh time's as we have now going on around the world now, December 8, 2020. So many burdens in my heart I feel for all the life forms on the earth right now, so much pain and suffering. I pray and meditate day and night, and pray that my prayers will go forward, not only for myself, but for so many others, I put love and light and hope, to strengthen all those who need it around the world right now. It's all I can do right now, I am believing in the strength that comes from pure love, and although I am not perfect, I understand that it is not required to give love and good thoughts, even if that is all I have to give. 👍❤😇🙏💕❤

Such a beautiful calmness when I listen to this man.

Something that is really helping me with this is thinking of those anxious and scary thoughts as not my own. They are just thoughts, nothing to do with self. So that makes you observe the thoughts without judgement. You watch those thoughts arising, existing while constantly changing, and passing away. You observe as if you’re not the body, mind

There is not only mental pain - there often is severe pain in the body. Pain caused by an illness or an injury or especially - pain caused by torture. How to handle this? I cannot imagine...

Wonderful Dear Thay. You have helped me a lot with your answer to this question. Evangelina Cortes.

This is literally life altering wisdom. So grateful it just dropped into my orbit 🙏🏻💫😇 !

This teaching bring understanding of many things that are real in our daily lives and if you can follow, you will earn the benefit of inner peace. He's so inspiring.

Im trying to be in the present moment. But its hard when someone constantly blame me for alot of things im trying to change because it starts with myself. Thank you so much for your videos does help me to learn amd practice and apply into my life i appreciate you

Pure bliss and innocence .❤❤❤❤

I thank my lucky stars for Thich Nhat Hanh every time I listen to him. 🙏🌟

Like Eckhart Tolle says: Surrender yourself to the present moment. 🎉🎉❤❤❤

simple but very complete. In simplicity lies truth, thanks!

Always - thank you Brother Thay 🌻

What a different world we would now be living in if people and government had this man's mind set❤ Beautiful human 👏👍

Wie wundervoll immer wieder die Stimme, das Mitgefühl und tröstende und ermutigende Worte von Thich Nath Han zu hören... In tiefer Dankbarkeit und Liebe Simone