Recently, I had the privilege of reading “Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet '', featuring the wisdom of one of my favorite teachers, Thich Nhat Hanh, known to his students as Thay. In the book, Thay shares what we can learn from Buddhist teachings as we inspire climate leadership and action.
I truly believe that this book is a must-read for everyone, regardless of their spiritual beliefs, as tools of mindfulness are Universal. For those who prefer the cliff notes, I’ve shared some of the most valuable insights I gained from the book below. I hope it will inspire you to pick up the book for yourself- it is such a vital tool for all of us looking to make a meaningful contribution to our planet.
Practicing Mindfulness Will Always Be Healing and Nourishing
Mindfulness is the art of being fully present in the now. By intentionally being present, we give space to praise the simple joys of life: the way a cup of tea soothes our bodies, the gratitude we have for the food we eat, the way the golden light of the sunset can bring splendor. Through mindfulness, we pay careful attention to the blessings that surround us instead of rushing past them.
Thay says it best when he writes: “The opposite of mindfulness is forgetfulness. Forgetfulness means you are pulled away by the past, by the future, by your projects, by your anger, your fear. You’re not truly alive. But if we train ourselves a little bit- drinking our tea mindfully, breathing in mindfully, or taking a shower mindfully, the seed of mindfulness in us will become stronger. With mindfulness, you’ll see things deeply and clearly, and any decision you make will be wiser, and everything you do will have a better quality.”
Inner Transformation = World Transformation
“To have peace inside is a very basic need. Without it, you can’t do anything to help others.”
Buddhism recognizes that suffering is a human condition. No matter who we are, where we are born, how rich or poor one is, all humans suffer from something. The key isn’t to deny the suffering, but to recognize that it is there and to decide to transform it. As Thay says in the book, “You listen to the suffering and get in touch with it [through meditation]…your suffering may reflect the suffering of your parents, your ancestors, and the planet…it is very important not to cover it up with music, movies or computer games. To have the courage to go home to yourself, may be the most important thing for you to do.”
No matter your spiritual beliefs, making a decision to heal our suffering and old patterns is the first step in transforming the world. By creating peace within ourselves first, we can then be an extension of peace to others. Doing the critical work of cultivating inner transformation by mastering our minds, developing an acute sense of self-awareness, and DECIDING to alchemize our pain into peace is the most critical step in our journey towards climate leadership. After all, how can we have compassion for the planet if we don ‘t yet have compassion for ourselves?
“Action should be based on the foundation of being. If you don’t have enough peace, understanding, and tolerance, or if you’re burdened by anger and anxiety, your actions will have little value”.
Compassion Protects You
One of the most important things I have learned from Buddhism is the practice of expanding my own compassion. Though I am a constant work in progress, growing my compassion is something I aspire to do, especially for those who I disagree with. It’s not easy, but this is the most important quality we must cultivate if we stand any chance at finding common ground.
“Compassion can protect you better than guns and bombs. With compassion in your heart, you will not react in fear or anger and you will attract much less danger to yourself. If you’re angry, you make others afraid, and when they’re afraid, they attack. So, compassion protects both you and the other person. If you can produce compassion and prevent violence, that is a victory for both parties. It is a real victory.”
The Art of Deep Listening
In the book, Thay points out that deep listening is one of the most critical skills we need to practice, especially if we are pursuing leadership positions. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Christiana Figueres, the architect of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, is a student of Thay’s, and she credits deep listening and compassion as one of the most powerful “soft skills” that allowed her to perform the negotiations necessary to complete the task.
“We traveled almost every country in the world, mostly with questions- not to tell them what we thought they had to do- and with deep listening, to understand where they were coming from. It just opens a common ground that is not there if you’re not listening…you experience the other person in a completely different quality, because you meet vulnerability with vulnerability. And from there, you can have technical discussions about megatons, but the deep root is there.”
-Christiana Figueres
We Need Togetherness
“Whenever we speak about the environment, we usually speak of non-violent actions or technological solutions, and we forget that the element of collaboration is crucial. Without it, we cannot save our planet. Technical solutions have to be supported by togetherness, understanding, and compassion”.
Working in sustainability, we are often introduced to technological innovations that we hope will lead to solutions. But in this book, Thay reminds us that we must be humans first. If we are able to generate the energy of loving kindness, we can offer that energy in any situation. But we must start cultivating that loving kindness within ourselves first, which brings us back to the beginning: to change the world, we must begin first by changing ourselves.
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If you’re curious to learn more about Buddhism, I invite you to check out my podcast episode featuring my dear friend, Dr. Kumiko Endo on the topic of “Establishing a Winning Spirit Regardless of External Circumstances”, and my interview with stylist Michelle Pozon, which covers the intersection between style and spirituality.
If this topic resonates with you, we’re likely from the same tribe! If you’d like to connect further on this topic, I would love to hear from you :)