From his talk at the French Retreat – March 2011
Thich Nhat Hanh teaches that one’s presence is one’s love. At a retreat he offered five gifts you can verbalize to yourself, to a friend, to the moon, the earth, the sangha, or with whom and with whatever you are cultivating interrelationship. They are especially helpful when you struggle with others or when a group is struggling. Find a time to give these gifts:
1. My dear, I am here for you
2. My dear, I know you are there
3. My dear, I know you suffer and that’s why I’m here for you. I offer you my presence.
4.( a.) My dear, I am suffering (can add the suffering here, anger, sadness, etc.) and I want you to know. (b.) My dear I am doing my best. I’m a practitioner; (c.) Please help me because I have not been able to free myself of this alone. [Note: the other person may ask, what did I say, what did I do? That is meditation says Thich Nhat Hanh–when one asks the questions. If you come through suffering with someone or others, let them know. We often do not tell them I am fine now.]
5. This is a happy moment. [Note: having presence is a happy moment. Feel the joy.
Try this in your next group meeting, sangha meeting, or with friends. Dyads are good.