The greatest obstacle is our own ‘know it all’ brains which are directed by denial and ego. Our brains are lazy by nature.
Thich Nhat Hahn: “I would not be happy if had not become a buddhist monk. We call that feeling Beginners Mind. It’s the deep intention, the deepest desire one has. This beginner’s mind is still alive in me.”
“Without a community, we cannot go very far.” - Thich and MLK
The attributes of an enlightened person: Always work with compassion and non-violence.
Compassionate lisenting: A deep listening that relieves the suffering of the person you are listening to. You listen with one purpose - to allow them to empty their heart. This way, even if they say something full of false interpretations, full of bitterness - you are able to still listen with compassion - take the blunt of it if you will without being effected by it.
Listening with compassion is the practice.