“Walk with Me”

I went to see the Thich Nhat Hanh movie “Walk with Me” tonight with a dear friend. This movie was not only about mindfulness, but it was an actual experience in mindfulness. I don’t think I’ve ever sat still for such a long period of time! I should’ve checked my pulse because not only was I so relaxed, but I was extremely happy! Tears were streaming down my cheeks at various points in the film, and they were definitely tears of joy.

Seeing people at peace, attending to life in the moment and shutting out all the “noise” that keeps our minds from seeing, from hearing, from feeling was very powerful. I felt so grateful to be sitting in the Jane Pickens Cinema as one of the sold out ticket holders! Because it was a sell out, the theater agreed to show it again on November 20, for any of you in the Newport area who might be reading this! There was no “noise” in my head for those two hours, nor in the theater! I didn’t hear anyone eating their popcorn, drinking the sodas or even whispering! All attendees were practicing mindfulness so beautifully. That mindful silence was a exquisite sound!

One last thing…as an educator by profession, I loved that the other monks referred to Thich Nhat Hanh as “teacher.” The title was spoken with such reverence, honor and respect.  That word “teacher” felt so solid, so big, so mighty, as if it formed a mountain to sit upon and learn from.

I see myself walking as Thich Nhat Hanh did, with mindfulness, taking in each moment and living life to its fullest one step at a time! I am “Walk with Me.”