Present Moment | TWOII podcast | Episode 84

In this installment, Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and leadership coach/journalist Jo Confino focus on profound Buddhist sutra 'The Discourse on Knowing the Better Way to Live Alone'. Using personal stories and examples, they illustrate the daily relevance of its teachings on being present in the moment, acceptance, and the interconnectedness of all things. Brother Phap Huu discusses how this sutra emphasizes not dwelling in the past or worrying about the future, but instead being fully present in and accepting of the here and now. He also reflects on recent events in the Plum Village community, such as a fire that destroyed an important building and why this was a profound experience for the community, leading them to grieve the loss while also finding strength in their togetherness. The presenters further explore grieving as a necessary part of the healing process, acknowledging loss rather than trying to bypass difficult emotions; the practice of being fully present (and how to recognize when one is truly present), even in times of chaos and uncertainty; the importance of community, the role of leadership, and the transmission of teachings; the need to accept suffering as a path to greater freedom and understanding; and much more. ------ 🔔 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. 🔔 ------ The podcast is co-produced by the Plum Village App: https://plumvillage.app/ And Global Optimism: https://globaloptimism.com/ With support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation: https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/ ------ 🎧 Listen to the podcast on the (completely free) Plum Village App ➛ https://link.plumvillage.app/48DY and other streaming services. ------ Resources: Plum Village Community ➛ https://plumvillage.org 🎙️ Brother Phap Huu ➛ https://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/br-phap-huu 🎙️ Jo Confino ➛ https://www.instagram.com/joconfino/?hl=en Donate to support Plum Village's reconstruction ➛ https://plumvillage.org/donate Interbeing ➛ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interbeing Sister Hien Nghiem (Sister True Dedication) ➛ https://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/sister-hien-nghiem Sutras ➛ https://plumvillage.org/genre/sutras Magnolia Grove Monastery ➛ https://magnoliagrovemonastery.org/ ‘Letters from Thich Nhat Hanh’ ➛ https://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh/letters ‘Plum Village Practice Centers’ ➛ https://plumvillage.org/community/monastic-practice-centres Dharma Talks: ‘Redefining the Four Noble Truths’ ➛ https://plumvillage.org/library/dharma-talks/redefining-the-four-noble-truths