My sister gave me a Thich Nhat Hanh video in the 90’s that was so comforting, I always fell asleep before the end. I always started again at the beginning and so I heard one of my favorite ideas repeatedly. He suggested that when the phone rings, instead of feeling stressed, hear it as a bell to wake up, take a deep breath, be present in the moment. The ring of the phone can serve a purpose like the bells they ring for meditations.
Taking that suggestion cuts down on so many potential irritating moments through the day. When someone forgets to turn off their phone in a meeting or class, when my phone interrupts my train of thought, when dogs nearby won’t stop barking, I consider being thankful for the reminder to pause, take a breath and notice the moment.
How timely with Thay’s current condition. The world may soon see the passing of a great world leader. I love the way you translated the interrupting bells of the modern time to his thoughts from the years back before constant cellphones abounded. When I saw him speak many years back, I just loved the practical spiritual advice he gave~~the exact one you mention above, as well as the advice to see the car you are stuck behind in traffic as being a face smiling at you ( the headlights as eyes, the bumper a mouth). Such a joyous soul!
Now I look forward to my next commute behind smiling faces. Maybe I could see the compassionate understanding of TNH in the car face 🙂