Enjoy Poetry Written by Thich Nhat Hanh's Students

Kwanzan Cherry Tree, msact at English Wikipedia.

Please enjoy the poem "Whispering" written by David, a member of Thich Nhat Hanh's Plum Village meditation community.

Poetry from the Plum Village Meditation Community

This poem was published in the July 2, 2020 "The Raft" e-newsletter along with the note, "Thank you very much to all of you who shared your beautiful poetry in response to our request to submissions last week."

Whispering

Looking out my bedroom window
I often wonder what the Cherry Tree
and the wind say to one another.

Do they lament the fragility
of the pink springtime flowers,
as they surf on currents
drifting to the ground?

I listen intently to the whispering
but cannot hear.

Do they laugh and joke
like old friends
and wish for old days
when life is remembered better?

I listen intently to the whispering
but cannot feel.

Do they wonder
at the reality of loss
or laugh at our
human lack of vision?

I listen intently to the whispering
but cannot see.

Can I make sense
of the rustling leaves
or am I simply eavesdropping?

- David

Read more poems from the community on www.thichnhathanhfoundation.org.

Enjoy watching the five minute video "Daily Life - Clarity Hamlet at Deer Park Monastery" on the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation YouTube channel. This video was also shared in the July 2 e-newsletter.

Deer Park Monastery

"Deer Park Monastery is a mindfulness practice center and monastic training center founded by the Vietnamese Buddhist monk, author, and peace activist, Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay).

"Deer Park is a place to quiet the mind, look deeply, and enjoy the wonders of life within and around us through the practices of sitting meditation, walking meditation, mindful eating, deep relaxation meditation, and sharing togetherness. We invite all who wish to cultivate peace and happiness in their lives to plan a visit — for a day or for a retreat.

"This 400-acre sanctuary rests peacefully in the chaparral mountains of southern California, surrounded and protected by oaks and the natural landscape. It was established in July 2000 by the Plum Village four-fold Sangha. Now, it is a safe and serene refuge for many practitioners to come and learn the art of mindful living and to practice with a community, a Sangha. At Deer Park, the residential monastic community and lay community practice together year round under the guidance of our teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh (Thây), in the tradition of engaged Buddhism, practicing mindfulness throughout our everyday life. There are two hamlets: Solidity Hamlet (for monks and laymen) and Clarity Hamlet (for nuns and laywomen). The two hamlets come together several times a week to practice."

Continue reading about Deer Park Monastery on www.deerparkmonastery.org.