Thich Nhat Hanh, photo by Parallax Press

In the mid 1990’s, I attended a wonderful event with Thich Nhat Hanh at Jack Kornfield’s Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Marin County, California.

It was “A Day of MIndfulness.” Thich Nhat Hanh and Sister True Emptiness led us in an enlightening meditation of mindfulness. One of the highlights was when each of the over 1,000 participants was presented with an apple, organically grown in Oregon, wrapped in special paper.

Thay, as his students and followers referred to him,–a term of respect for a revered teacher– quietly and gently spoke, in his soft voice, leading us to be truly focused and mindful as we carefully unwrapped our apple, set aside the paper, and took one delicious bite at a time, chewing slowly, tasting the sweetness and juice of the apple. All the while engaged, totally in the moment, with each action we were taking. A mindfulness exercise I have not forgotten, to this day.

Thay was the embodiment of love, compassion and true mindfulness as he took each step of his life. He taught us that Peace is in Every Step.

May you go about your day, your week, your entire life, mindful of every action, of every step, while you become Peace, become Love and become True Compassion.

In loving memory of Thay, Thich Nhat Hanh

Vietnamese Buddhist Monk and Peace Activist