My guest today is Brother Phap Linh, who is a monk in the tradition of Vietnamese Zen Master, writer, poet, and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh. Brother Phap Linh lives and practices in Plum Village - a large international Buddhist center and monastic community in France, where we met more than a decade ago. 

In this episode, Brother Phap Linh talks openly about his path towards becoming a monk and the challenges he faced in this process. How he and his girlfriend started practicing Buddhism together which eventually led to them both becoming monastics.

• Why did he choose to practice in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh?
• How was it to live and practice alongside this great Zen Master?
• What does it mean to be a Buddhist monk?
• What does monastic communal living look like?
• What did the practice bring him and what can we learn from that?

One of the most urgent and pressing topics of these times might be the current vaccination programs. And although we have completely different views regarding this, we managed to listen and speak mindfully to each other and took some baby steps towards more connection and shared understanding.

• What insights can we gain from the programs that were created in Plum Village to heal and restore communication and relationships between Israeli’s and Palestinians?
• How can we use our practice to establish a healthy and constructive dialogue?
• What are our basic needs to keep connecting in times of polarization?

It was an honor as well as a joy to have Brother Phap Linh on the show. To hear about his experiences and to receive his teachings and I truly hope it will bring happiness and wisdom to anyone who listens.