Thich Nhất Hạnh is a Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist, he has published more than 100 books, including more than 40 in English. He is active in the peace movement, promoting non-violent solutions to conflict and he also refrains from animal product consumption as a means of nonviolence towards non-human animals. May his quotes inspire you to live in the present moment and find happiness from within.
1. “Our notions about happiness entrap us. We forget that they are just ideas. Our idea of happiness can prevent us from actually being happy. We fail to see the opportunity for joy that is right in front of us when we are caught in a belief that happiness should take a particular form.” Thich Nhat Hanh
2. “When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help.” Thich Nhat Hanh
3. “To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” Thich Nhat Hanh
4. “Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful.” Thich Nhat Hanh
5. “If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.” Thich Nhat Hanh
6. “I have the impression that many of us are afraid of silence. We’re always taking in something – text, music, radio, television, or thoughts – to occupy the space. If quiet and space are so important for our happiness, why don’t we make more room for them in our lives?” Thich Nhat Hanh
7. “Waking up this morning, I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours are before me. I vow to live fully in each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.” Thich Nhat Hanh
8. “We are here to awaken from our illusion of separateness.” Thich Nhat Hanh
9. “Because you are alive, everything is possible.” Thich Nhat Hanh
10. “Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, or possessions – we cannot be free.” Thich Nhat Hanh
11. “We are all the leaves of one tree. We are all the waves of one sea.” Thich Nhat Hanh
12. “We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize.” Thich Nhat Hanh
13. “People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.” Thich Nhat Hanh
14. “Without thinking and talking, there is no obstacle to get in the way of our enjoyment of the present moment.” Thich Nhat Hanh
15. “The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.” Thich Nhat Hanh
16. “Life is available only in the present moment.” Thich Nhat Hanh
17. “At any moment you have a choice that either leads you closer to your spirit or further away from it.” Thich Nhat Hanh
18. “The best way to take care of the future is to take care of the present moment.” Thich Nhat Hanh
19. “Take my hand. We will walk. We will only walk. We will enjoy our walk without thinking or arriving anywhere.” Thich Nhat Hanh
20. “The quality of our life depends on what seeds we water in our consciousness.” Thich Nhat Hanh
21. “Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.” Thich Nhat Hanh
22. “Freedom is not given to us by anyone; we have to cultivate it ourselves. It is a daily practice.” Thich Nhat Hanh
23. “For things to reveal themselves to us, we need to be ready to abandon our views about them.” Thich Nhat Hanh
24. “I have arrived. I am home. My destination is in each step.” Thich Nhat Hanh
25. “If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can smile, and everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace.” Thich Nhat Hanh
26. “The amount of happiness that you have depends on the amount of freedom you have in your heart.” Thich Nhat Hanh
27. “When you learn how to suffer, you suffer much less.” Thich Nhat Hanh
28. “We can all practice beginning anew. We can always start over.” Thich Nhat Hanh
29. “Be yourself. Life is precious as it is. All the elements for your happiness are already here. There is no need to run, strive, search, or struggle. Just be.” Thich Nhat Hanh
30. “Enlightenment is growing all the time. It is not something that happens once and is then complete.” Thich Nhat Hanh
31. “Walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet.” Thich Nhat Hanh
32. “Anger is like a storm rising up from the bottom of your consciousness. When you feel it coming, turn your focus to your breath.” Thich Nhat Hanh
33. “So many conditions of happiness are available, you don’t have to run into the future in order to get more.” Thich Nhat Hanh
34. “No one has ever lived in the past or the future, only the now.” Thich Nhat Hanh
35. “In true love, you attain freedom.” Thich Nhat Hanh
I love these quotes! I am a huge fan of Thich Nhat Hanh. His teachings helped me a lot after my stroke 3 years ago. He should be how to stay in the moment and let go of my struggle.
Glad you liked them, and hope all is well.