The Art of Power

He challenges us to realize that genuine power comes only with a clear mind and a calm heart, and that when we are not in control of our own thoughts we are actually quite powerless, nothing more than slaves to our fears, emotions, and craving.

This is our practice—we call it aimlessness. We don’t put a goal in front of ourselves and run after it constantly.

If we do, we’ll be running all our life and never be happy. Happiness is possible only when you stop running and cherish the present moment and who you are. Who you are is already a wonder; you don’t need to be someone else. You are a wonder of life.

Learning to appreciate times of silence and nonaction are crucial for our productivity and this blossoming of concentration and insight. A businessman once told me, “When there’s silence during a conversation, I feel uneasy and I want to say something to break the silence. What can I do?” In Plum Village silence is precious. We call it Noble Silence, and we cherish it. It’s more precious than gold. Silence can be eloquent. You sit there and your personality just shines, you radiate peace and joy. This is nonaction. You need only sit there, and children like to come and sit close to you. Silence is very important. It allows, it helps life to be. We have to retrain ourselves to enjoy silence.

need to learn again how to be silent. This is what the Buddha teaches us. Silence can be more intimate than talking. It is a way of being that makes your doing, your action, deeper and more effective

This is the art of living, and it is very enjoyable.

When you spend time with a child, you need that time with the child and he or she needs that time with you. The time spent with this child should be devoted to only the child and yourself. No business, no future, and no past should be involved.

To feel happy right where you are in the present moment is your practice. With this kind of understanding, you accept yourself completely; you don’t feel the need to become someone because you are already someone.

A nonbusiness day helps us honor the fact that each thing has its time. There is a time to eat. There is a time to water the garden. There is a time to discuss your work. So, when it’s time to eat, you practice just eating and enjoying eating. You enjoy the present moment and eat with one hundred percent of yourself; otherwise you are not being kind to the food and the people sitting around the table. This is easy to understand. When you eat, just enjoy eating. Offer one hundred percent of yourself to the food and the people around you.

We are the consumers. We’re not citizens anymore, we’re consumers. We’re the ones that feed the corporations that feed the government.