Dharma Talks, Hearing Voices, and Healing Words from Sister Dang Nghiem

On healing

“Can I just have a hug?” asked bear.

“You can have as many as you want,” replied sparrow, “always.”

📷: Evergreen and Daisy

I’m not going to lie. Like many, I’ve had a hard few months. And today was pretty tough.

I decided to go for a walk this afternoon, and was listening to a dharma talk by Sister Dang Nghiem from @thichnhathanh ‘s @plumvillagefrance on the @plumvillageapp.

The talk was titled, “How to love oneself,” and I quickly learned Sister Dang Nghiem was speaking to a room full of tweens at @deer_park_monastery near where I grew up in southern California.

“Just my speed,” I thought as I hit the pavement.

The talk was good, but I was mostly lost in my own thoughts. It’s amazing, isn’t it, how our own minds can turn on us?

But it felt good to be breathing, to be moving. And as I passed others on the sidewalk, I smiled with with care and softness – knowing that everybody is carrying something, often many things, heavy things.

At some point, I must’ve hit a dead zone because the playback stopped on the talk.

Honestly, I’m not even sure I noticed; dodging this thought and that, trying to make sense of things that don’t.

It was a lot. And I really didn’t want to take even the next step.

And then, clearly, in the sweetest voice, I heard:

“I’m here for you.

You’re okay.

You’re good enough.

Thank you for all the efforts you’re making.”

I started to cry. In gratitude, mostly.

And the voice continued:

“I am here.

I am going to take good care of you.

It is okay.

Relax.

You are safe now.

I love you. I love you.”

Right as I was passing under a stand of redwood, the dharma talk had resumed.

I backed up the recording a few minutes, learning that Sister Dang Nghiem was sharing we can be our own best friend, our own soulmate, in difficult and challenging times; beginning with befriending our breath.

Can I ask a favor? Can I ask you to read Sister Dang Nghiem’s words out loud to yourself? Say these words to yourself. Tell yourself these things. And if you have a loved one or someone special in your life, can you say these words to them, too?

Thank you and be well.

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Soaring, Saying Yes, and Leaning Into Your Knowing

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Curry, Courage, and Rediscovering Yoga