In this episode, Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and leadership coach/journalist Jo Confino talk about the practice of gratitude and its power to shine a light in even the darkest circumstances. Their conversation touches on many aspects of gratitude, from the way it has been viewed in Buddhism since the days of the Buddha, to gratitude for life, gratitude as a gift and a rebalancer, and gratitude even when things don’t go well.
Brother Phap Huu further talks about nourishing our deep connection to interbeing; opening our hearts to suffering; loneliness in the monastic community; gratitude for the Earth, all living beings, and (even) minerals; the feeling of ‘enough’; the Cong Phu Sheet; and more. And why is gratitude a such a difficult practice, even when there are many opportunities to apply it?
Jo delves into daily practices of gratitude; coming back into balance; Christmas presents and meaninglessness; approaches to economic development in Bhutan; and more. The episode ends with a short meditation on gratitude guided by Brother Phap Huu.
Enjoy!
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🔔 The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living is a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives.
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🎙️ The podcast is co-produced by the Plum Village App and Global Optimism with support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation.
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Resources
The Way Out Is In – Live recording
Plum Village Community
Interbeing
Bodhicitta
Old Path White Clouds
Ananda
Shariputra
Bhutan
The Alchemist
Dharma Talks: ‘The Three Doors of Liberation or the Three Dharma Seals’
‘Cong Phi Journal - Everything You Need to Know About the Practice Notebook’
Maudgalyayana
‘A Teacher Looking for His Student’
Brother Bao Tang (Brother Treasure)
Gratitude for the Four Elements (short audio meditation by Brother Phap Dung)