The fourteen mindfulness trainings that MorningSun community follows were adapted by Thich Nhat Hanh in 1966. The co-founders of MorningSun worked with Thich Nhat Hanh in the Plum Village monastery. These trainings make up a majority of MorningSun beliefs and offer many insights into their lifestyle.
The fourteen mindfulness trainings are as follows:
- Openness
- Non-Attachment to Views
- Freedom of Thought
- Awareness of Suffering
- Compassionate, Healthy Living
- Taking Care of Anger
- Dwelling Happily in the Present Moment
- True Community & Communication
- Truthful and Loving Speech
- Protecting and Nourishing the Sangha
- Right Livelihood
- Reverence for Life
- Generosity
- True Love
In Henry David Thoreau’s “Economy” from Walden, Thoreau discusses luxury. People have developed many different things that have advanced us as a race and simplified our lives. However, often times these items are overlooked. Thoreau quotes Darwin when discussing luxury by comparing Tierra del Fuego inhabitants (the “savages”) to those in Darwin’s party standing by a fire. To Darwin’s surprise, although his group was cold, the inhabitants of Tierra del Fuego were sweating and standing farther away. In response to this Thoreau asks, “Is it impossible to combine the hardiness of these savages with the intellectualness of the civilized man?” (Economy).
The twenty-first century provides us with many luxuries and items that are unnecessary to live happy and healthy lives. These mindfulness trainings could be looked on as an attempt to simplify our lifestyles and find appreciation in what we have.
Citation:
“The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings.” Plum Village, Mindfulness Practice Center. plumvillage.org/mindfulness-practice/the-14-mindfulness-trainings/.
Thoreau, Henry D. “Economy 15-29.” Walden. commons.digitalthoreau.org/walden/economy/economy-15-29/.