An Introduction – Touching the Earth

I have been using the book Touching the Earth by Thich Nhat Hanh for several years  as part of my morning meditation practice. It is a wonderful book that provides a framework to have a “conversation” with the Buddha and look deeply at our relationship with the Earth, others, ourselves, and the Ultimate Dimension. The monastic practice with this book is to listen to a chapter read while touching the earth. This can prove difficult if you practice alone, so that is the purpose of this blog series. I am recording the chapters to listening to them at a later time and want others to benefit from this effort.

Over the coming weeks/months, I will record chapters from the book and then post them here to share. You may download from this site or use iTunes to receive the podcast [iTunes Podcast].

If you want to use this material in your meditation practice, my recommendation is to start the recording and then touch the earth with you head, elbows, and knees in prostration. After the primary reading is complete, you will hear the full sound of the bell. Upon hearing a small tap on the bell, then stand up and prostrate again on the next sound of the full bell. This will happen one more time to end the meditation.

As the introduction of the book states,

When we touch the Earth, we take refuge in it. We receive its solid and inclusive energy. The Earth embraces us and helps us transform our ignorance, suffering, and despair. Wherever we are, we can be in touch with the Earth. Wherever we are, we can bow down to receive its energy of stability and fearlessness. As we touch the Earth, we can follow our breathing. We release all our instability, fear, anxiety, disease, and anger. We know the Earth can absorb our negativity without reacting to us or judging us. In this way, we are able to transform what is painful and difficult to accept within us. We are able to strengthen our capacity to look, speak, and act with understanding and compassion towards ourselves, our loved ones, and all members of society. Touching the Earth communicates our gratitude, joy, and acceptance to our Mother Earth. With this practice, we cultivate a relationship with the Earth and, in doing so, we restore our balance, our wholeness, and our peace.

Posted via email from Touching the Earth


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4 responses to “An Introduction – Touching the Earth”

  1. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    Hi Kenley
    This is wonderful. If you would be interested in having this put on the DP Podcast, let me know. I think it would be a wonderful addition
    Laura

  2. Kenley Neufeld Avatar

    Thanks Laura. Are you thinking it would be something you'd grab from time to time and just post on DP cast or just one general announcement?

  3. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    Hi Kenley
    This is wonderful. If you would be interested in having this put on the DP Podcast, let me know. I think it would be a wonderful addition
    Laura

  4. Kenley Neufeld Avatar

    Thanks Laura. Are you thinking it would be something you'd grab from time to time and just post on DP cast or just one general announcement?