No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering

by Thich Nhat Hanh

If someone were to ask, “What’s the purpose of walking meditation? What’s the point? Why do you practice it?” There are several answers we can give. But for me the best answer is, “Because I like it.”

It’s the same with sitting meditation. If someone asks, “What’s the use of sitting and not doing anything?” The best answer is, “Because I enjoy sitting.”

When you wake up in the morning, the first thing to do is to breathe and to become aware that you have twenty-four brand-new hours to live. This is a gift of life.

Waking up this morning I smile. I have twenty-four hours to live. I vow to live them deeply and learn to look at the beings around me with the eyes of compassion.