Thích Nhất Hạnh and Thomas Merton

 

We lost another hero this week, Thich Nhat Hanh, at the age of 95. Thich Nhat Hanh was a Buddhist monk, peace activist and wise person. He was also a friend of Catholic priest, Thomas Merton, who died many years ago. He also was a peace activist and wise person. So, in honor of these two good men, here are some words from both of them...

“People usually consider walking on water or

in thin air a miracle.

But I think the real miracle is not to walk

either on water or

in thin air,

but to walk on earth.

Every day we are engaged in a miracle

which we don't even recognize:

a blue sky,

white clouds,

green leaves,

the black,

curious eyes of a child—

our own two eyes.

All is a miracle.”

~Thich Nhat Hanh

“If you want to identify me, ask me not where I live,

or what I like to eat,

or how I comb my hair,

but ask me what I am living for, in detail,

ask me what I think is keeping me from

living fully for the thing I want to live for.”

~Thomas Merton

“To “love our enemy” is impossible, because
the moment we love him, he is no longer our enemy.”

~Thich Nhat Hanh

“Usually when we hear or read something new, we just compare it to our own ideas. If it is the same, we accept it and say that it is correct. If it is not, we say it is incorrect. In either case, we learn nothing.”

~Thomas Merton

“If the wave does not have to die to become water, then
we do not have to die to enter the kingdom of God.”

~Thich Nhat Hanh

“Our idea of God tells us more about ourselves than about Him.”

~Thomas Merton

“With utmost courage, Jesus taught a gospel of nonviolence.
Is the church today practicing the same by its presence and behavior?
Do the churches practice nonviolence and social justice, or
do they align themselves with governments that practice violence and hatred?”

~Thich Nhat Hanh

“Reason is in fact the path to faith, and

faith takes over when reason can say no more.”

~Thomas Merton

“Suffering is not enough.

Life is both dreadful and wonderful...

How can I smile when I am filled with so much sorrow?

It is natural-

you need to smile to your sorrow because

you are more than your sorrow.”

~Thich Nhat Hanh