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Thich Nhat Hanh is a global spiritual leader. He promotes the spreading of peace and works hard to ensure his messages are spread as far as possible.

While you might not know much about him, chances are you’ve at least heard of him. This Zen Master shares a lot of things through his works and many believe in his cause big time. He teaches that through mindfulness we can learn to be happy in the moment and through that find true peace.

Regardless of your religion, there is still a lot that you can learn from this man. Below I am going to add in some of his most inspirational messages. These messages break down things like life, love, and so much more. Each one is open to be interpreted in the way that you see fit and could mean something a little different for you than what it might mean for me.

If you are struggling to find yourself or to truly be happy these words might help. Come at each message with an open mind and see how you can apply it to your life. Thich Nhat Hanh has a lot to offer us all.

17 Lessons Thich Nhat Hanh Has To Offer Us About Life, Love, Happiness, and Everything In-Between:

1. “When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help. That’s the message he is sending.”

2. “When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don’t blame the lettuce. You look for reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilizer, or more water, or less sun. You never blame the lettuce. Yet if we have problems with our friends or family, we blame the other person. But if we know how to take care of them, they will grow well, like the lettuce. Blaming has no positive effect at all, nor does trying to persuade using reason and argument. That is my experience. No blame, no reasoning, no argument, just understanding. If you understand, and you show that you understand, you can love, and the situation will change”

3. “Many people think excitement is happiness… But when you are excited you are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace.”

4. “Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, or possessions – we cannot be free.”

5. “Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.”

6. “To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself. When you are born a lotus flower, be a beautiful lotus flower, don’t try to be a magnolia flower. If you crave acceptance and recognition and try to change yourself to fit what other people want you to be, you will suffer all your life. True happiness and true power lie in understanding yourself, accepting yourself, having confidence in yourself.”

7. “Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts. Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again.”

8. “When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help. That’s the message he is sending.”

9. “Because you are alive, everything is possible.”

10. “Our notions about happiness entrap us. We forget that they are just ideas. Our idea of happiness can prevent us from actually being happy. We fail to see the opportunity for joy that is right in front of us when we are caught in a belief that happiness should take a particular form.”

11. “Some people live as though they are already dead. There are people moving around us who are consumed by their past, terrified of their future, and stuck in their anger and jealousy. They are not alive; they are just walking corpses.”

12. “At any moment, you have a choice, that either leads you closer to your spirit or further away from it.”

13. “If you love someone, the greatest gift you can give them is your presence”

14. “My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground on which I stand.”

15. “You are not an observer, you are a participant.”

16. “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.”

17. “No blame, no
reasoning, no argument, just understanding. If you understand, and you show that you understand, you can love, and the situation will change.”

If you like these messages please take the time to check out some of Thich Nhat Hanh’s books or watch some videos of him speaking. Below I am going to add in one of my favorite videos of his. The more he speaks the closer you feel yourself coming to your truest version. While this might seem a bit cheesy I am sure you know exactly what I mean. Worlds hold much more power than we usually notice and his speak volumes.

Image via Educate Inspire Change