Men cannot be happy if women are unhappy

To curb discrimination, we must train our minds in the wisdom of interbeing. Women and men are not separate from each other. Men cannot be happy if women are unhappy. There is no greater or lesser between the two. If you truly want all women and men to be happy then teach yourself and your children, the five mindfulness trainings and begin practicing them.

First Mindfulness Training - Reverence for Life

Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I am committed to cultivating the insight of interbeing and compassion and learning ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to support any act of killing in the world, in my thinking, or in my way of life. Seeing that harmful actions arise from anger, fear, greed, and intolerance, which in turn come from dualistic and discriminative thinking, I will cultivate openness, non-discrimination, and non-attachment to views in order to transform violence, fanaticism, and dogmatism in myself and in the world.

(When we practice the first mindfulness training we make sure that we never physically hurt a woman. This ends all forms of violence like domestic violence against women.)

Second Mindfulness Training - True Happiness

Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing, and oppression, I am committed to practicing generosity in my thinking, speaking, and acting. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others; and I will share my time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need. I will practice looking deeply to see that the happiness and suffering of others are not separate from my own happiness and suffering; that true happiness is not possible without understanding and compassion; and that running after wealth, fame, power and sensual pleasures can bring much suffering and despair. I am aware that happiness depends on my mental attitude and not on external conditions, and that I can live happily in the present moment simply by remembering that I already have more than enough conditions to be happy. I am committed to practicing Right Livelihood so that I can help reduce the suffering of living beings on Earth.

(By practicing the second mindfulness training we ensure that we do not exploit women's interests. We will respect their choices and their rights. This will ensure that they get equal educational, employment, business, spiritual/religious and political opportunities and rewards. This will end discriminatory wages, workplace discrimination, forced marriages, killing of the girl child etc. The practice of true happiness creates a world of opportunitues and resources.)

Third Mindfulness Training - True Love

Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I am committed to cultivating responsibility and learning ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families, and society. Knowing that sexual desire is not love, and that sexual activity motivated by craving always harms myself as well as others, I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without true love and a deep, long-term commitment made known to my family and friends. I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct. Seeing that body and mind are one, I am committed to learning appropriate ways to take care of my sexual energy and cultivating loving kindness, compassion, joy and inclusiveness – which are the four basic elements of true love – for my greater happiness and the greater happiness of others. Practicing true love, we know that we will continue beautifully into the future.

(By practicing the third mindfulness training we ensure that women do not end up being victims of sexual exploitation. We ensure that we pay attention to their emotional needs and treat them with love. This will end rapes and sexual harassment. This will promote trust and fidelity.)

Fourth Mindfulness Training - Mindful Communication

Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I am committed to cultivating loving speech and compassionate listening in order to relieve suffering and to promote reconciliation and peace in myself and among other people, ethnic and religious groups, and nations. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I am committed to speaking truthfully using words that inspire confidence, joy, and hope. When anger is manifesting in me, I am determined not to speak. I will practice mindful breathing and walking in order to recognize and to look deeply into my anger. I know that the roots of anger can be found in my wrong perceptions and lack of understanding of the suffering in myself and in the other person. I will speak and listen in a way that can help myself and the other person to transform suffering and see the way out of difficult situations. I am determined not to spread news that I do not know to be certain and not to utter words that can cause division or discord. I will practice Right Diligence to nourish my capacity for understanding, love, joy, and inclusiveness, and gradually transform anger, violence, and fear that lie deep in my consciousness.

(By practicing the fourth mindfulness training we ensure that we use our communication skills to bring joy to women. We practice inclusive and honest speech. We practice deep listening to become aware of the sufferings of women in Afghanistan, Iraq, India, America, Europe... They suffer for different reasons. We listen deeply and communicate in a manner that heals. We talk resolution instead of defending discriminatory practices.)

Fifth Mindfulness Training - Mindful Consumption

Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to cultivating good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking, and consuming. I will practice looking deeply into how I consume the Four Kinds of Nutriments, namely edible foods, sense impressions, volition, and consciousness. I am determined not to gamble, or to use alcohol, drugs, or any other products which contain toxins, such as certain websites, electronic games, TV programs, films, magazines, books, and conversations. I will practice coming back to the present moment to be in touch with the refreshing, healing and nourishing elements in me and around me, not letting regrets and sorrow drag me back into the past nor letting anxieties, fear, or craving pull me out of the present moment. I am determined not to try to cover up loneliness, anxiety, or other suffering by losing myself in consumption. I will contemplate interbeing and consume in a way that preserves peace, joy, and well-being in my body and consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family, my society and the Earth.

(By practicing the fifth mindfulness training we make sure that women have access to healthy food and healthcare. We make sure that their special dietary and sanitary needs, particularly during childbirth are met. We make sure that we do not let audiovisual ingredients like movies, magazines and websires create a wrong perception of women in our minds. By consuming mindfully we create better physical and mental being.)

#ThichNhatHanh #Vijñaptimātra #Interbeing