The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings

The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings Introduction (from Interbeing by Thich Nhat Hanh) 1. The First Mindfulness Training: Openness Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are

determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory,

or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding means to

help us learn to look deeply and to develop our understanding and

compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill, or die for. 2. The Second Mindfulness Training: Nonattachment from Views Aware of the suffering created by attachment to views and wrong

perceptions, we are determined to avoid being narrow-minded and bound to

present views. We shall learn and practice nonattachment from views in

order to be open to others’ insights and experiences. We are aware that

the knowledge we presently possess is not changeless, absolute truth.

Truth is found in life, and we will observe life within and around us in

every moment, ready to learn throughout our lives. 3. The Third Mindfulness Training: Freedom of Thought Aware of the suffering brought about when we impose our views on others,

we are committed not to force others, even our children, by any means

whatsoever - such as authority, threat, money, propaganda, or

indoctrination - to adopt our views. We will respect the right of others

to be different and to choose what to believe and how to decide. We

will, however, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness through

practicing deeply and engaging in compassionate dialogue. 4. The Fourth Mindfulness Training: Awareness of Suffering Aware that looking deeply at the nature of suffering can help us develop

compassion and find ways out of suffering, we are determined not to

avoid or close our eyes before suffering. We are committed to finding

ways, including personal contact, images, and sounds, to be with those

who suffer, so we can understand their situation deeply and help them

transform their suffering into compassion, peace, and joy. 5. The Fifth Mindfulness Training: Simple, Healthy Living Aware that true happiness is rooted in peace, solidity, freedom, and

compassion, and not in wealth or fame, we are determined not to take as

the aim of our life fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure, nor to

accumulate wealth while millions are hungry and dying. We are committed

to living simply and sharing our time, energy, and material resources

with those in need. We will practice mindful consuming, not using

alcohol, drugs, or any other products that bring toxins into our own and

the collective body and consciousness. 6. The Sixth Mindfulness Training: Dealing with Anger Aware that anger blocks communication and creates suffering, we are

determined to take care of the energy of anger when it arises and to

recognize and transform the seeds of anger that lie deep in our

consciousness. When anger comes up, we are determined not to do or say

anything, but to practice mindful breathing or mindful walking and

acknowledge, embrace, and look deeply into our anger. We will learn to

look with the eyes of compassion at ourselves and at those we think are

the cause of our anger. 7. The Seventh Mindfulness Training: Dwelling Happily in the Present Moment Aware that life is available only in the present moment and that it is

possible to live happily in the here and now, we are committed to

training ourselves to live deeply each moment of daily life. We will try

not to lose ourselves in dispersion or be carried away by regrets about

the past, worries about the future, or craving, anger, or jealousy in

the present. We will practice mindful breathing to come back to what is

happening in the present moment. We are determined to learn the art of

mindful living by touching the wondrous, refreshing, and healing

elements that are inside and around us, and by nourishing seeds of joy,

peace, love, and understanding in ourselves, thus facilitating the work

of transformation and healing in our consciousness. 8. The Eighth Mindfulness Training: Community and Communication Aware that lack of communication always brings separation and suffering,

we are committed to training ourselves in the practice of compassionate

listening and loving speech. We will learn to listen deeply without

judging or reacting and refrain from uttering words that can create

discord or cause the community to break. We will make every effort to

keep communications open and to reconcile and resolve all conflicts,

however small. 9. The Ninth Mindfulness Training: Truthful and Loving Speech Aware that words can create suffering or happiness, we are committed to

learning to speak truthfully and constructively, using only words that

inspire hope and confidence. We are determined not to say untruthful

things for the sake of personal interest or to impress people, nor to

utter words that might cause division or hatred. We will not spread news

that we do not know to be certain nor criticize or condemn things of

which we are not sure. We will do our best to speak out about situations

of injustice, even when doing so may threaten our safety. 10. The Tenth Mindfulness Training: Protecting the Sangha Aware that the essence and aim of a Sangha is the practice of

understanding and compassion, we are determined not to use the Buddhist

community for personal gain or profit or transform our community into a

political instrument. A spiritual community should, however, take a

clear stand against oppression and injustice and should strive to change

the situation without engaging in partisan conflicts. 11. The Eleventh Mindfulness Training: Right Livelihood Aware that great violence and injustice have been done to our

environment and society, we are committed not to live with a vocation

that is harmful to humans and nature. We will do our best to select a

livelihood that helps realize our ideal of understanding and compassion.

Aware of global economic, political and social realities, we will

behave responsibly as consumers and as citizens, not supporting

companies that deprive others of their chance to live. 12. The Twelfth Mindfulness Training: Reverence for Life Aware that much suffering is caused by war and conflict, we are

determined to cultivate nonviolence, understanding, and compassion in

our daily lives, to promote peace education, mindful mediation, and

reconciliation within families, communities, nations, and in the world.

We are determined not to kill and not to let others kill. We will

diligently practice deep looking with our Sangha to discover better ways

to protect life and prevent war. 13. The Thirteenth Mindfulness Training: Generosity Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice,

stealing, and oppression, we are committed to cultivating loving

kindness and learning ways to work for the well-being of people,

animals, plants, and minerals. We will practice generosity by sharing

our time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need. We

are determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should

belong to others. We will respect the property of others, but will try

to prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering

of other beings. 14. The Fourteenth Mindfulness Training: Right Conduct (For lay members): Aware that sexual relations motivated by craving

cannot dissipate the feeling of loneliness but will create more

suffering, frustration, and isolation, we are determined not to engage

in sexual relations without mutual understanding, love, and a long-term

commitment. In sexual relations, we must be aware of future suffering

that may be caused. We know that to preserve the happiness of ourselves

and others, we must respect the rights and commitments of ourselves and

others. We will do everything in our power to protect children from

sexual abuse and to protect couples and families from being broken by

sexual misconduct. We will treat our bodies with respect and preserve

our vital energies (sexual, breath, spirit) for the realization of our

bodhisattva ideal. We will be fully aware of the responsibility of

bringing new lives into the world, and will meditate on the world into

which we are bringing new beings.