Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet (A Sunrise Sessions Study)
Below are videos that were presented as part of a Sunrise Book Study session at 8:30 Thursday mornings during the month of October 2022. The videos speak to some of the ideas presented in the book. The book discussed was Zen and the Art of Saving The Planet by Thich Nhat Hanh. Here is an excerpt from the book jacket: “Mindfulness and the radical insights of Zen meditation can give us the strength and clarity we need to help create a regenerative world in which all life is respected. Filled with Thich Nhat Hanh’s inspiring meditations, Zen stories, and experiences from his own activism as well as commentary from Sister True Dedication one of his young disciples, Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet shows us a new way of seeing and living that can bring healing and harmony to ourselves our relationships and the Earth.”
Ken Hiltner PhD., a professor at UC Santa Barbara provides a short overview of the intent of the book and the need for, what he calls, a kind of “systems” change necessary to address the climate crises. Example of how the book may be presented to students.
“Sister True Dedication: 3 Questions to build resilience—and change the world” (16 minutes). Sister True Dedication’s talk not only speaks to the kind of individual change necessary but her very talk demonstrates the behavior; behavior changes that may be not only helpful to the individual but helpful to the larger community.
“Diamond Sutra Frontispiece Explained” Conrad Walters, co-author of “Journeys on the Silk Road”, explains the symbolism behind the opening image of the world’s oldest printed book — the Diamond Sutra of 868AD. The illustration is, itself, the world’s oldest-known image in a printed book.
“Four Notions to Remove” In this short teaching video from the Plum Village Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh talks about the four notions that we have to remove, a teaching from the Diamond Sutra. Excerpt from: A Beginners Mind for a Beautiful Future | Dharma Talk, 2011-10-02 Magnolia Grove
The Zen Monks and Nuns of Plum Village Monastery visit Salesforce, a San Francisco based “tech” company, and present a demonstration of their “product”. From Salesforce to “Heartforce”. (note: product description starts at 35:00 minutes)
I AM Free – A Plum Village song reflecting a few ideas presented in the book.
And When I Rise – A Plum Village Song
Sister True Dedication shares about the five mindfulness trainings and their role as guiding lights in our lives, helping us transform ourselves and the societies we live in so we can protect the Earth together.
Brother Pham Dung’s 7 minute video on
Taking Care of Suffering.