August 15, 2013. 102-minute dharma talk given by Thich Nhat Hanh from Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario during the 2013 Nourishing Great Togetherness teaching tour. This is the fourth dharma talk for the 6-day retreat with the theme Happy Teachers will Change the World. We begin with two chants from the monastics followed by a session of questions and answers.

Children

Will you tell us of a struggle you’ve had and how meditation and the bell helped you to overcome it?
Recalling the dream in an earlier talk this week, how did it make you feel when the secretary said yes to you and not to the other person?
Will Thay sing us a song?
What made you want to become a zen master?

Teens

What is the difference between joy and happiness?
My father causes much suffering and doesn’t practice right view. I have lots of resentment I am fearful. How do I transform my suffering to peace and joy when he has hurt me so much?
How did mindfulness help you in your life?
How can I bring the practice to life for the ones I love without forcing it on them, especially those who have sexual misconduct or doing drugs?

Adults

A question about engaged Buddhism.
In the list of 51 mental formations, shame is identified as a wholesome formation. Can you explain this?
A question about hope. Fear and anger in society and future of human race and the planet.
Another question on the future. With favorable climatic conditions ending, how do we balance kindness/mindfulness for future generations and with present people?
A question about ending a relationship. What do you do when there isn’t an ability to leave a toxic relationship? How do we transform if we’re not strong enough in our practice? Also concerns about financial stability beyond the relationship.
A question from a person who can’t overcome her suffering. The pain seems insurmountable. The question comes with some question on how to continue living.