Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh is a global spiritual leader, poet and peace activist, revered throughout the world for his powerful teachings and bestselling writings on mindfulness and peace. His key teaching is that, through mindfulness, we can learn to live happily in the present moment—the only way to truly develop peace, both in one’s self and in the world. (source: http://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh/biography/)

For this forum, please read and analyze the following poem, “Walking Meditation,” by Thich Nhat Hanh

Take my hand.We will walk.We will only walk.We will enjoy our walkwithout thinking of arriving anywhere.Walk peacefully.Walk happily.Our walk is a peace walk.Our walk is a happiness walk.

Then we learnthat there is no peace walk;that peace is the walk;that there is no happiness walk;that happiness is the walk.We walk for ourselves.We walk for everyonealways hand in hand.

Walk and touch peace every moment.Walk and touch happiness every moment.Each step brings a fresh breeze.Each step makes a flower bloom under our feet.Kiss the Earth with your feet.Print on Earth your love and happiness.

Earth will be safewhen we feel in us enough safety.

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In your analysis, please focus on how the religious master poetically describes the themes of mindfulness, peace, and nature (the earth). Please apply the poem’s meaning to your own life and today’s fast-paced, technical world. How might you apply these themes in your own life?