2023.12.24 Cold. The temperature in town was around 10oC in the morning. The temperature is much lower in the mountain. Compared with the wind, rain and wet yesterday, today was a nice day. The Sun came out and gave us warmth. Friends gathered together, the Day of Mindfulness started.
We listened to Thấy’s Dharma Talk in the morning. Thấy reminded us the relationship between we, our ancestors, the nature, other people including Jesus Christ, Buddha … Though we came from different countries, different culture, we shared the same ancestor — the Mother Earth. We are the sidings.
Here under are some of the quotes from Thấy:
Mindfulness is the source of happiness
- When your body and mind are together, you are in the here and the now.
- This body is our mom, our dad, our ancestors
- Our mom and dad, Jesus Christ, Buddha are the children of the earth.
- When you get in touch with the Mother Earth, you get in touch with the Father Sun
- You feel the Sun is embracing you when you have the walking meditation
After the Total Relaxation, the celebration was started. Monastic prepared cinnamon orange hot drink, as to keep us warm. Everyone sat quietly for a while, enjoyed our breathing, our peace, our hot drink, our friends togetherness, the quite of Christmas Eve, then we started program. Some friends from other countries shared how they celebrated Christmas in their countries; some friends shared the hymn, poem. A young practitioner shared the Author and poet Maya Angelou on finding your family: “Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what.” . This is loving speech. We felt the warmth from our heart.
Br Thênh Thang played the “We wish you a Merry Christmas” with Tongue drum. We also sang “Joy To The World Plum Village Version” together. The lyric is at the back. And, Santa Claus was the most popular in the celebration. He danced and gave everyone a small gift.
The celebration was finished with joy and fun. Everyone went back home with happiness.
Joy To The World Plum Village Version
Joy to the world, our one true home.
The earth, the sky, the sea
We are one family,
Let’s join our hands in harmony
And heal our world with love (x3)
Joy to the world, the winds and rains
Let’s sing with all their songs
When we learn to look deeply
We know how to live peacefully
Compassion fills our hearts (x3)
No more let grief and sorrow grow
Release them to the earth
Let’s water seeds of happiness
Let’s live each day in mindfulness
And share the joy with all. (X3)
Joy to the world with true and grace
There’s harmony in the home
The miracle of Mindfulness
Reveals our innate kindness
And joy will fill the world (x3)