I was deeply saddened to hear of Thich Nhat Hanh’s passing on January 22nd. For those of you who don’t know him, Thich Nhat Hanh was a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist Master–a monk, peace activist, author of over 100 books, poet, teacher and founder of the well-visited Plum Village, a monastic community of engaged Buddhism in France. I have always dreamed of going there. Back in the early 2000’s I found my way to Thich Nhat Hanh’s writings, and they had a profound impact on me. He had a way of speaking plainly, often with a tone of humor and sheer delight at the foibles of human being-ness. He was a master storyteller and taught millions of people about the simple practice of mindfulness, joy and peace. To this day, I consistently turn to his words and teachings for solace and direction.
It’s important to know who the saints are in our lives. For saints, at their core, are role models offering us living examples of how to be whole and holy humans…for this is hard! A popular trend in the 90’s was to wear bracelets with the letters W-W-J-D?, which stood for What Would Jesus Do? For me, I have a running list of figures to rotate through this question, each of them reminding me to love bigger, breathe, take courage, and so on. Many of them have offered safe passage through many a sticky situation by the simple question, what would______ do?
This month we will be exploring how we Widen the Circle of care and concern and a good way to begin ruminating on this might be to consider who in your wider circle offers good examples of living and loving that help you to be a more expanded person yourself. Now, more than ever, we need wise teachers and saints in our lives; sages that remind us how to not just survive difficult days, but to find our way towards thriving within them.
As a gift to you this month, I offer this link to a short Thich Nhat Hanh teaching about joy, which he gave in Burlington, VT. I hope you will find it to be as nourishing and helpful as I do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3RkhdU9Thc
It continues to be a great honor and joy to serve as your minister, and to be in this with you Dear Ones. As always, reach out if you need to. Stay connected to one another. Breathe. For in this place you are not alone, and you are loved.
In faith and with love,
Rev. Sophia
Reverend Sophia Lyons
Rev. Sophia is committed to radical welcome and spreading the good news that is our bold Unitarian Universalist faith. Some of her areas of interest include interfaith partnerships, addictions ministry, spiritual direction, and working towards collective liberation for all. Rev. Sophia aspires to live her life and fulfill her ministry guided by spiritual seeking, big love, and the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism.