Chan Hui, or Beginning Anew

"The Beginning Anew practice described in this book is based on the compassion of the earth. When we touch the earth, we take refuge in it. We receive its solid and inclusive energy. The earth embraces us and helps us transform our ignorance, suffering, and despair. Wherever we are, we can be in touch with the earth." – Thich Nhat Hanh, from Touching the Earth








1. Growth of earth, growth of mind


The planting boxes upon the walls of the courtyard had been neglected for some days.
The sun has been heavy and baked the potting soil hard.
I look out into the courtyard and see that the King Tut grass and the geraniums
have stayed so strong and vital despite this neglect.
Hanh says in the beginning of Touching the Earth that if we know we can act
differently in the future than we need feel no guilt.
I water the dill and thyme and three lettuces twice yesterday
and today I will go out with my hand trowel and aerate the hard soil to aerate.
When I water the newly tilled soil it can absorb it and spark its nutrients.
The water will no longer run directly down and onto the courtyard floor.
Despite both neglect and full compassion I see that the plants are resilient
not complaining, but merely browning at spots on the tips.
I see that nature continues to be exactly what it is.
It is growth but not desire
It is beauty but not vanity.
It is resilience but not domination.
These are small rules interpreted by a small garden
but they are ones that are perceived by a compassionate mind.
We notice then that compassion is the growing substance of the human mind.
Like the soil needed water to spark the nutrients
so too does the mind need to grow alongside the other mind, the other life.
To begin anew is possible every hour of every day
because there is nothing that we encounter that does not need care, compassion, consideration.