Zen Master in Trafalgar Square

Saturday March 31st saw two peace-related events taking place in London: a walk around the Olympic stadium as part of the ‘100 Days of Peace’ initiative, and a meditation in Trafalgar Square with a Zen Buddhist master.
 
Despite being a volunteer for the Westminster Justice and Peace Commission, I plumped to attend the latter(!). Over a thousand people came together in Trafalgar Square to attend the satsang led by Vietnamese Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh.
 
Thay, as he is affectionately known to his followers, is one of the world's most treasured living spiritual leaders. He has been a Zen Buddhist monk for over fifty years, has been nominated for the Nobel peace prize, and has written over 100 books, many of which are on the subject of mindfulness. Those seeking peace flock to his retreat centre, Plum Village, in France, from all around the world.
 
Given Thay's age and schedule, visits to London are rare and so this was a very special opportunity to meditate with the master.
 
And meditate we did; to the gentle sound of a Tibetan bowl being struck three times,
Thay led a glorious meditation, giving us new thoughts to think as we breathed in and out.
 
‘I am still water.’
‘I have a mountain inside me.’
‘I have mother earth inside me.’
‘I am a flower in the garden of humanity.’
 
These are four examples from our hour-long meditation.
These are beautiful - peaceful - thoughts to think, and their beauty lies in both
the stillness they encourage, and their ability to unify; a rainbow coalition
of humanity was gathered in the square, because anyone of any faith path can
benefit from such thoughts.
 
After the hour-long meditation, Thay gave the crowd some relationship advice - surprisingly practical and insightful from one who has eschewed romantic relationships! He suggested that when we run into difficulties with the person we love most, we apply a four-step mantra.
 
‘Darling, I am here for you’ is the first thing we
might like to say.
(According to Thay, our presence is the greatest gift
we can give another person. Strong and solid as a mountain and fresh as a
flower is how our presence should be.
 
“Darling, I know you are here and I am so happy.’
This is step two: recognise the presence of the other
person, despite the difficulties we are having
with him or her, and express gratitude for their
presence in our life.
 
‘Darling, I know you suffer. That is why I am here.’ This
is step three; recognising the pain of the other and wanting to help.
 
Before telling us the fourth step, Thay warned that
this is the hardest one for many people.
Why? Because it cuts through our pride! What is step
four?
‘Darling, I suffer. Please help, please explain.’
 
Being present and working through suffering together
struck me as a very personal path to peace.
 
Our afternoon ended with a Shanti - a blessing of peace from Thay, and his monks and nuns, who all sang a beautiful prayer to the bodhissatva Avalokiteśvara.
 
The two events complemented each other beautifully. One, a physical walk for peace; the other, a reminder that we must make inner journeys towards peace, too.
 
Esther Waldron, Westminster Diocese Justice & Peace Commission.