I recently had the honor to go and see Thich Nhat Hanh at the Warner Theater in DC. He is a teacher, a spiritual leader and a Zen master. He lives at Plum Village in France. One of the things that most attracts me to his teachings and his Sangha ( community) is the way they embrace families and children on the spiritual path. They have family retreats and welcome children to their center and they have published a number of children’s books (awesome).

I have found some of the traditional spiritual texts/teachers to ignore and/or exclude family life so when I found Plum Village, (I have not been...yet), the teachings and the books. I felt very welcome and that this was a community where I could really learn and grow.

When I walked in, the stage was beautiful. I was a overwhelmed with feelings of joy and love when I entered the space. All of the people there, to listen to words of compassion and healing - the energy in the room was powerful. It’s been a while since I have been in a spiritual community- between Saylor and Milo and the studio...I just have not been able to fill my own cup with retreat or intentional meditation. So, this was a really special moment for me. I felt so lucky to be there.

I felt at home. I also felt incredibly connected. One of his students lead us in a meditation, setting the tone for the evening and just bringing us all together in one shared space. That’s the things about this practice- you can take a break if you need to but your always free to jump back in- connect, recharge, renew and then bring it all back to your life. This is where the real practice lives. It’s EASY to sit and breath in a beautiful theater with a community who are open minded to compassion growth love and mindfulness. It was easy to sit in meditation. Be still and present and aware.

Fast-forward 1 week. I was waiting in the car with both kids wile my husband ran into the store. All of the sudden, they both started crying...loudly! I was sitting in between them- smooshed in the back seat between 2 crying kids. I started to feel myself getting annoyed, trying to control them, my body started to tense up.. and then it all stopped. Not them, not the actions but my response, my inaction. I picked up a book I keep in the car ”Spirit Junkie” and I began to read. I read 1 page and then my husband came back- started the car and the crying stopped. We’ve all been there I know…but it’s all about how we choose to participate in a situation and my auto-drive does not go to peaceful and calm…so this practice and awareness is so very helpful in my life, to bring more joy to myself and my family.

The big teaching of the day for me was not this however.. it was actually something so simple-yet so brilliant. Thich Nhat Hanh lovingly and gracefully told us this..the best gift that you can give someone you love, is your true presence and awareness. Tell them, “Darling, I’m there for you” and listening. I visualize it as tuning into them, tuning into what they are saying. It’s funny because I spend so much time listening to others throughout the day, and thinking about “mindful parenting” that I am often NOT fully aware of my own husband and children. The best gift we can give someone is our true presence and awareness. Simple yet powerful… We have to listen to others- this enables us to transform and bring understanding in our own life which in turn heals and transforms others.. It’s all a connected circle. We have the power to keep it evolving by how we interact with others and how we model for our children what’s important. What’s truly important.

So, for me…I ‘m going to intentionally listen to my family this week. Hear them, support them, be there for them, and love them with mindful awareness. That’s the best gift I can give.

lil omm