Zen: Meaning in Simplicity (Episode #85)

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Mar 20, 2025

Explore the beauty of Zen through everyday moments and mindfulness practices. Discover how simplicity can imbue depth into mundane tasks, illustrated by the life of a toilet cleaner reflecting on joy. Delve into the sacredness of rituals and objects, emphasizing community and respectful living. Humility is discussed as a vital element in genuine connections, contrasting intellectual sophistication with Zen simplicity. Conclude with a guided meditation that fosters gratitude and presence, inviting listeners to reconnect with life's wonders.

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ANECDOTE

Zen Lifestyle

Some people's homes appear more "Zen" than Plum Village itself, highlighting the varying interpretations of simplicity.
Plum Village embraces the interconnectedness of life, even with spiderwebs present.

ANECDOTE

Sacred Objects

During an event at Plum Village, cushions from the meditation hall, a sacred space, were used for a game.
This act felt jarring as every object in the meditation hall is considered sacred.

INSIGHT

Cultivating Sacredness

Sacredness is cultivated through mindfulness, concentration, and insight, particularly in dedicated spaces.
Mindful manners and rituals, like bowing, enhance reverence and respect within a community.

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Welcome to episode 85 of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives.

In this installment, Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and leadership coach/journalist Jo Confino discuss the true meaning of Zen, finding beauty and meaning in simplicity, and how to practice so in everyday life. Also, what does it mean to be part of a Zen tradition? And how do we practice Zen? How do we see the world ‘through the eyes of Zen’?

The conversation also touches upon the cultivation of mindfulness, concentration, and insight; the importance of humility; finding beauty in the mundane; the sacredness of objects and spaces; the role of rituals and routines; the balance between sophistication and simplicity in one’s spiritual practice; and much more.

The episode concludes with a short meditation, guided by Brother Phap Huu, on being present and grateful for the wonders of life.

Enjoy!

Co-produced by the Plum Village App:
https://plumvillage.app/

And Global Optimism:
https://globaloptimism.com/

With support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation:
https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/

List of resources

Donate to support Plum Village’s reconstruction
https://plumvillage.org/donate

Interbeing
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interbeing

Samatha
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samatha-vipassan%C4%81

Dhyana in Buddhism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhyana_in_Buddhism

Dharma Talks: ‘Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels’
https://plumvillage.org/library/dharma-talks/taking-refuge-in-the-three-jewels-sr-chan-duc-spring-retreat-2018-05-20

Wim Wenders
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wim_Wenders

Perfect Days
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv8YO5BXCAQ

Love Letter to the Earth
https://www.parallax.org/product/love-letter-to-the-earth/

Sister Chan Khong
https://plumvillage.org/about/sister-chan-khong

Sister Hien Nghiem (Sister True Dedication)
https://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/sister-hien-nghiem

European Institute of Applied Buddhism
https://www.eiab.eu

Sutras
https://plumvillage.org/genre/sutras

Quotes

“Zen is an art of contemplation in order to see reality as it is.”

“This is because that is.”

“The first foundation of mindfulness, which is the core of Zen, is learning to be in the body; aware of the body in the body.”

“The essence of Zen can simply be called the beginner’s mind, or the art of stopping, the art of living. And I can confidently say that in the training of the Zen school, we have to embody the three elements or three energies. Thay sometimes called them the holy energies: the energy of mindfulness, the energy of concentration, and the energy of insight.”

“Sacredness is very alive when the practice is alive. And that definition comes into play when we’re in a space that has cultivated this energy of mindfulness, concentration, and insight, such as Thay’s hut, where we’re sitting now.”

“Being aware and having the ability to take care of ourselves in the practice of sitting is as exciting and challenging as scoring a goal.”

“I saw Thay open a door, and I learned everything I needed to learn.”

“We can find meaning in everything.”

“Being mindful is to establish yourself to be so alive in the present moment that nothing becomes boring.”

“The art of Zen and the art of meditation is seeing the mundane, seeing the simple everyday life. And that becomes a sacred action, because our relationship to what we are doing has deep meaning, and that deep meaning represents our inner beauty, our inner contentment with this life.”

“When you have something and you know it is enough, you don’t have to chase anymore. Your life suddenly becomes so much deeper and more relaxed.”

“The schedule becomes our teacher, because it helps realign our energies. But we also have to have the flexibility to not be so caught in form. Form is important. Form can support us. But form shouldn’t entrap us.”

“Don’t take lightly the words you announce. They come with particular energies that will come into play.”

“Talent has to go with virtue.”