Zen master Thich Nhat Nanh distilled centuries of Buddhist teachings into a set of trainings essential to practicing mindfulness in the modern age. The initial set was created in 1966, and has been revised several times to meet the needs and challenges of changing times. The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings are the very essence of the Order of Interbeing, a worldwide Zen community. They are the guide to Engaged Zen, addressing everyday life in ways most anyone may understand.

 

Many newcomers upon first approaching the Mindfulness Trainings perceive precepts derived from a variety of faith traditions. This is not a problem. Modern American Zen welcomes individuals from any faith tradition, since the trainings begin with openness and acceptance of beliefs and experiences to the extent they do no harm. 

 

Following is an introduction to the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings (Thich Nhat Hanh, Interbeing, 2020) and in each case a few practical notes for men have been attached. If you are already involved with the Shine a Light Men's Project, think of these trainings as the various means by which we may shine a light on our thoughts, actions and reactions, and begin to move through the world with a greater sense of positive masculinity. 

 

1. Openness

Avoid dualistic thinking and discrimination, including fanaticism and prejudice. We are committed to transforming intolerance, like “us versus them” thinking, into positive perception and action.

• Avoid gender prejudice: never apply a general assumption to a prospective partner, spouse or male friend.

• Never permit “us versus them” thinking to cloud your understanding of relations between men and women.

• With an open mind, work to convert negative reactions into positive action.

 

2. Nonattachment to Views

Avoid being narrow-minded. Instead practice being open to others’ experiences. Insight is revealed by compassionate listening, deep looking, and remaining open to learning from new experiences.

• “Red flag” narrow-minded assumptions about other people and intercept them.

• Use deep listening so you may learn about the other’s experiences.

• With compassion, remain open to “trying on” the other’s views or ways of doing things.

 

3. Freedom of Thought

Avoid imposing our views on others (via money, authority, threat or propaganda). We are committed to respecting the rights of others to be different, to choose what to believe and how to decide.

• Actively interrupt old presumptions about the nature of men and women and their many forms of relations.

• Assume that a male or female friend or love interest thinks differently, and resolve to respect these differences. 

• Gently retain your freedom of thought while engaging the other so as to better understand him or her.

 

4. Awareness of Suffering

We are committed to maintaining an awareness of suffering, to recognize, accept, embrace and listen to our own suffering and that of others. We are committed to finding ways of being with others who suffer, and to help them transform their suffering into compassion, peace and joy.

• Prepare yourself by working to understand, accept and listen to your own suffering.
• Assume from the start that another person has suffered greatly in many ways similar to your own suffering.

• With compassion and deep listening, stand ready to help the other person to open the door to peace and joy.

 

5. Compassionate, Healthy Living

Aware that true happiness is rooted in peace, freedom and compassion, we shall avoid living lives focused solely on fame, power, wealth or sensual pleasure. We shall avoid gambling, use of alcohol and other drugs, or use of any products that bring toxins into our bodies or into the community. We will consume media that preserves compassion, well-being and joy, and avoid certain websites, electronic games, TV programs, films, magazines and other media that threatens the well-being of our families, society and the Earth.

• Set a goal of living a life free of unhealthy distractions like gambling, drug-use and toxic media.
• Be ready to question your use of certain forms of media that degrade compassion such as pornography and violent fiction. This is not a rule, just sound advice.

• Broaden your view to re-examine diversions such as electronic games and TV programs that compromise your well-being.

 

6. Taking Care of Anger

Aware that anger blocks communication and creates suffering, we are committed to taking care of the energy of anger when it arises, and to recognizing and transforming the seeds of anger that lie deep in our consciousness. When anger manifests, we are determined not to do or say anything, but rather to intercept the roots of anger, and focus instead on the preciousness of our relationships.

• Establish a routine whereby the seeds of anger are intercepted and questioned before you react or take action.
• Learn an internal response to anger wherein you become silent and passive as an initial reaction.

• Demonstrate for others - through words or actions - that your are taking care of your anger in non-destructive ways.

 

7. Dwelling Happily in the Present Moment

We shall maintain awareness that life can only be lived in the present moment, and therefore we must maintain focus on the here and now. We shall avoid losing ourselves in distractions or be carried away by regrets from the past, worries about the future, or craving, anger or jealousy in the present.

• Establish a daily routine of sitting in silence, observing and releasing regrets from the past and worries about the future.
• Practice observing the present moment while engaged in the mundane activities of daily living. 

• Question entertainments that distract you from actively coping with challenges in yourself or in your relations with others.

 

8. True Community and Communication

We are committed to training ourselves in the practices of compassionate listening and loving speech, and thereby fostering inclusiveness and harmony in the community. We shall learn to listen deeply without judging or reacting, and refrain from uttering words that create discord.

• As a brotherhood of men, we are committed to fostering harmony through the practices of deep listening and inclusiveness.
• Seek opportunities to develop friends and acquaintances where only impersonal interactions occurred in the past.

• Even when angry or upset, intentionally restrict any sharp reactions that may create discord and disharmony in the community.

 

9. Truthful and Loving Speech

Aware that words can create happiness or suffering, we are committed to learning to speak truthfully, lovingly, and constructively. We will only use words that inspire joy, confidence and hope as well as promote reconciliation and peace in ourselves and among other people. We will use speech in a way that helps transform suffering and resolves difficult situations. We are determined to avoid saying untruthful things or to utter words that might cause division or hatred.

• Discard old patterns of lying, disregarding, or in any indirect manner criticizing persons with whom you interact.
• Rather than avoiding difficult situations, develop words and phrases that promote reconciliation and resolution.

• When in the company of men, practice using words that express genuine concern, inspire joy and offer hope.

 

10. Protecting and Nourishing the Community

We shall not use the community for personal power or profit, or attempt to transform it into a political statement. As members of the community we shall nonetheless take a clear stand against oppression and injustice, and resolve to address conflict and afflictions when they arise. We will actively build brotherhood and sisterhood, and promote understanding, love and peace.

• Do not stand by and let others care for the community; get involved and work against oppression and injustice.
• Avoid manipulating your community attachments for personal power, profit or political gain.

• Welcome your brothers and sisters in any opportunity that builds-up your community and promotes mutual understanding.

 

11. Right Livelihood

Aware of economic, political, and social realities around the world, as well as imbalances among the Earth’s ecosystems, we shall do our best to avoid livelihoods that inflict further damage. We are committed to selecting livelihoods that contribute to the well-being of all species on Earth and promote mutual understanding and compassion. We are determined to behave responsibly as consumers and as citizens.

• Commit to learning more about the work you perform, and the ways it may damage the people or ecosystems of the Earth.
• Avoid excessive consumerism; behave as if you live in the future you are helping to create.

• Honor you chosen occupation by finding ways to foster understanding and compassion among others interested in following in your footsteps.

 

12. Reverence for Life

Aware that much suffering is caused by war and conflict, we are determined to cultivate nonviolence, compassion and collective insight in our daily lives, and to promote peace education and reconciliation within our families, communities, ethnic and religious groups, nations and in the world. We are committed not to kill and not to let others kill.

• Commit to learning about the violence occurring in our world today, and take actions however small to cultivate peace.
• Address the need for peace education within your family, among friends and in the larger community.

• Cultivate insight and acceptance of the ethnic and religious groups in your community and your region of the world.

 

13. Generosity

Aware of suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing, and oppression, we are committed to cultivating generosity in our way of thinking, speaking, and acting. We will practice loving kindness toward people, animals and plants, and share our time, energy and material resources with those who are in need.

• Get involved with local organizations that work against social injustice or provide material resources for those in need.
• Replace angry, critical thinking with compassionate and generous thoughts; speak and act accordingly.

• Teach younger generations of men and women about generosity and the need for loving kindness toward all people.

 

14. True Love

Aware that sexual desire is not love, and that sexual relations often cannot dissipate feelings of loneliness, we are determined to inspect prospective sexual relations for respect and mutual understanding. We shall respect the rights and commitments of ourselves and others, and recognize the diversity of human experience including any form of gender identity or sexual orientation. In our committed relationships, we shall learn appropriate ways to take care of our sexual energy and cultivate loving kindness, compassion and joy for our own happiness and the happiness of others.

• As a man, you have the ability to observe sexual cravings and make reasonable decisions regarding acting on these feelings.
• Become aware that other persons embody a range of gender identities and sexual orientations; best to learn about them.

• In committed relationships, focus your sexual energies on cultivating loving kindness and joy, happiness will follow.