Years ago, in the early 1970s, I distinctly remember experiencing a profound mixture of disturbance and moving awe on reading excerpts from Thich Nhat Nahn’s 'Fragrant Palm Leaves: Journals, 1962-1966'. His work profoundly affected me in a manner that outshone fascination; my imagination was captured and transformed. That being said, witnessing the impact of his work clearly illustrates just how influential he remains upon countless readers drawn to his tale because, despite vast cultural disparities, they resonate with it. Thich’s 'Fragrant Palm Leaves' opened my eyes to the practice, nudging me toward embracing it and setting forth on the psycho-spiritual journey.

“Youth is a time for seeking truth. Years ago, I wrote in my journal that even if it destroys you, you must hold to the truth. I knew early on that finding truth is not same as finding happiness. You aspire to see the truth, but once you have seen it, you cannot avoid suffering. Otherwise, you’ve seen nothing at all. You are still hostage to arbitrary conventions set up by others. People judge themselves and each other based on standards that are not their own. In fact, such standards are mere wishful thinking, borrowed from public opinion and common viewpoints. One thing is judged as good and another as bad, one thing virtuous and another evil, one thing true and another false. But when the criteria used to arrive at such judgments are not your own, they are not your truth. Truth cannot be borrowed. It can only be experienced directly. The fruit of exploration, suffering, and the direct encounter between one’s own spirit and reality — the reality of the present moment and the reality of ten thousand lifetimes. For each person, it is different. And it is different today than it was yesterday.”

THICH NHATHANH  — Fragrant Palm Leaves: Journals: 1962-1966.

https://youtu.be/s-u8pbF0zNg?si=UseeGfgdLnICxdx5

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