Photo by danwintersphoto | This is a portrait of Thich Nhat Hanh, at Deer Park Monastery in Escondido, California. He passed away in Vietnam on January 22 at the age of 95. With his teachings and influence the monk leaves a deeply profound legacy. He once said: "To live in the present moment is a miracle. The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on this green Earth in the present moment and to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now." I feel so much gratitude for crossing paths with this gentle and kind human being who was a peace and ecology activist, scholar, teacher, author, Zen master, artist, and leader in bringing the practice of mindfulness and engaged Bodhisattva Buddhist precepts to the West. He was known as a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War, which led to his exile from Vietnam for 39 years. Among other achievements in his long and devoted life, he started a university, a publishing house, and multiple monasteries around the world. He ...