A Little Song, in Gratitude.

April 9, was one of my teachers, Sister Chân Không, elder in the Plum Village tradition’s birthday. She is not only important to my family but also to thousands upon thousands of beings the world over. She was the first fully-ordained monastic disciple of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, has directed many of his humanitarian projects since the 1960’s and has authored several books, including the legendary biography Learning True Love: How I Learned & Practiced Social Change in Vietnam.

My wife and I have been extremely fortunate to receive personal guidance from Sister Chân Không at pivotal points throughout our life together. Before we were married, she gave us a teaching on how to remain happy in marriage. When we were about to have our first child, she offered us deep truths regarding what it means to be a parent. And when our marriage hit some of those inevitable obstacles that all encounter in marriage she generously offered us a raft to the other shore.

One of my beloved readers has been writing to me recently, sharing how grateful she is for the elders in her life. She has, in turn, inspired me to look more deeply into what the qualities of a true elder are. As a father, I am noticing more how there are certainly many old people around these days, and indeed, I am slowly becoming one myself, but it is also becoming increasingly evident that age itself does not make one an “elder”. I am still not entirely sure I know what all traits one ought strive to develop in oneself in order to become the kind of elder most needed now, but I do know that when I think of whom I consider a good elder to be, Sister Chân Không holds a place of honor upon the throne of my heart.

Happy birthday Sister Chân Không,

A deep bow…

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The following is a poem written by Sister Chân Không. Sister Chân Không was one of the first people I ever played the “hand pan” for. And I often think of her when I play it.

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The Smile

An International Plum Village song

Written by Sister Chân Không

Je souris à l’étoile qui au ciel encore luit,
Au soleil qui lentement nous sort de la nuit,
À ce jour qui commence,
À l'oiseau qui m’enchante,
Je souris au monde et le monde me sourit.

I smile to the star that still shines in the sky,
To the sun that slowly guides us out of the night,
To the day that begins,
To the enchanting bird,
I smile to the world and the world smiles to me.

I smile to the child that crosses my way,
I remember also all those who are hungry.
Those who live in misery all over the planet,
Who have to face the war, who lost their mother.

If sometime my smile is moistened by tears,
When I see the great pain that spreads over the world,
I shall still be smiling with tears in my eyes,
Smiling to life. Smiling to death.

And one day will come when it is bitterly cold,
When even my footsteps will not leave any mark,
The never ending current of life energy
Will carry me along, and I will not look back.

The fear will no longer block my way.
My heart finally opens very wide.
Then I will become the smile of the earth,
Of the flower, of the sun, of the wind and the rain.

And one day, perhaps, in a very small child,
I will open my eyes to the wonders of life.
And the little more loving, and the little more smiling
I will continue this wonderful way.

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Question: What does True Love mean to you?

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Hornbill

*Hang drum in the video was hand made in Thailand by MUTA Sound Scultpures

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#mayallbeingsbehappyandfree