The First Meaning of Hien

Hien: to touch peace and happiness for ourselves and others here and now, in every present moment

This is the first meaning embedded in the Vietnamese word Hien and pertains primarily to the seventh Mindfulness Training.

Buddhism teaches that peace, happiness, and freedom are all available to us here and now, in every moment. We do not need to create or change anything, to get anywhere or accomplish anything in order to experience peace and happiness. Healing and transformation help us to touch these qualities more easily, often and fully, but this kind of “ripening” is not a prerequisite for experiencing happiness or ease. As human beings, peace and happiness are always available to us here and now as our birthright. 

Practice is not a means to achieve a goal of future happiness and ease. Practice is about being awake here and now, about consciously being now that which we are seeking. We embody peace—we feel peaceful-- even as we work for peace in the world or practice tonglen on the cushion. As Thay teaches, “There is no way to peace; peace is the way.” We enjoy our meditation practice as we open to feeling peaceful and fully alive on the cushion. We become happier, more peaceful and at ease in all our doing and being throughout the moments of our lives.

Personal Reflection:

🔹 How do I feel when practicing formal meditation? Am I peaceful and at ease? Is my enjoyment of practice and enthusiasm for meditation growing?

🔹 How am I touching or experiencing happiness and ease off the cushion? Am I becoming happier and enjoying life more? Am I suffering less?

🔹 Am I becoming more open-hearted, relaxed, and at ease in my relationships with family, friends, people at work, sangha members, and others?

🔹 How am I embodying peace and ease when conflict or stress arises? Am I increasingly able to be present with calm and ease, even when sailing in troubled waters?

🔹 How is my practice supporting my own emotional healing—e.g., my ability to let go of anger, worry, self-doubt, and other painful emotions?