Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, and peace activist, has shared many profound insights on loving kindness Metta, which is a central concept in Buddhist teachings. To practice loving kindness, we have to cultivate a compassionate and loving heart. “Compassion is a verb,” he stated. Here are some quotations on this theme along with their sources:
“Loving-kindness is the foundation of happiness. When you water it in yourself, you are nourishing your ability to love.”
From “Teachings on Love.”
“Metta means love without boundaries. Metta is not confined to any religion or any belief system. It is the art of connecting deeply with ourselves and others.”
From: “The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching.”
“To love without knowing how to love wounds the person we love. To know how to love someone, we have to understand them. To understand, we need to listen.”
From “Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life.”
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“Understanding and love are not two separate things, but just one. If you are compassionate, you are able to understand. If you understand, you are able to love.”
“When you love someone, the best thing you can offer is your presence. How can you love if you are not there?”
Found in “Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life.”
May we be peaceful, happy, and light in body and spirit. May we be safe and free from injury. May we be free from anger, afflictions, fear, and anxiety.
From “The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation.”
Our own life has to be our message.
From “Being Peace: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life.”
Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.
From “Peace in Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life.”
“To live in the present moment is a miracle. The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green Earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now. It is not a matter of faith. It is a matter of practice.”
From “Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life.”
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