Return to The Five Contemplations Before Meals
Kiss the Earth
By Thich Nhat Hanh
Walk and
touch peace every moment.
Walk and touch happiness every moment.
Each step brings a fresh breeze.
Each step makes a flower bloom.
Kiss the Earth with your feet.
Bring the Earth your love and happiness.
The Earth will be safe
when we feel safe in ourselves.
Happiness Is Not an Individual Matter
All our ancestors and all future generations are present in us. Liberation is not an individual matter. As long as the ancestors in us are still suffering, we cannot be happy, and we will transmit the suffering to our children and their children.
Now is the time to liberate our ancestors and future generations. It means to free ourselves. If we can take one step freely and happily, touching the Earth mindfully, we can take one hundred. We do it for ourselves and for all previous and future generations. We all arrive at the same time and find peace and happiness together!
Taken
from The Long Road Turns To Joy A guide To Walking Meditation by Thich
Nhat Hanh, © 2005.
See also Be Happy and Contented!, Peace!, Shine The Light of Self-Care On You, Meditations, and Various Meditations
Adapted from Thich Nhat Hanh: Buddhism in Action, by Maura D. Shaw (Skylight Paths, 2004). Shared by my friend Michelle.