I received a slightly distressing email from the Thich Nhat Hanh community on Sunday night which made me really appreciate TNH's presence at our retreat.
"During the recent retreat in Stonehill College in Boston, Thay (Thich Nhat Hanh) had a flare-up of a chronic lung infection. Upon medical advice, Thay is currently receiving a full course of antibiotics administered intravenously in the hospital. Fortunately his overall health remains strong. We are all very thankful for that. While Thay would very much like to join us here in Colorado, he regrets that he will not be able to be present. At this time, our full presence and our practice together as a spiritual community is the best way to offer our support to Thay."
It is my understanding that thay will travel directly to california to continue with the public tour after his treatment is complete. please do not worry and do your best to reassure your friends and sangha members that thay is in overall very good health and would like it if we would continue to be mindful and strong.
At the very end of our retreat, Thay did an interesting speech about how we are all connected, and how when someone dies, they do not ever leave this world completely. They leave parts of themselves in their friends, the earth, their community, their children, their books or art- the dead are always here, just in a different form. The way he discussed it made it clear that he was aware of fully comfortable with his own death, and that we, as practitioners, should be prepared for his death as well. Being reminded of this was a good reminder of wisdom and positivity, but also made me really appreciate that he was well enough to share his presence on my retreat.
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