“We have negative mental habits that come up over and over again. One of the most significant negative habits we should be aware of is that of constantly allowing our mind to run off into the future. Perhaps we got this from our parents. Carried away by our worries, we're unable to live fully and happily in the present. Deep down, we believe we can't really be happy just yet—that we still have a few more boxes to be checked off before we can really enjoy life. We speculate, dream, strategize, and plan for these "conditions of happiness" we want to have in the future; and we continually chase after that future, even while we sleep. We may have fears about the future because we don't know how it's going to turn out, and these worries and anxieties keep us from enjoying being here now.”

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About Thich Nhat Hanh

Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist of the 20th and 21st centuries, Thich Nhat Hanh is best known for founding the Plum Village monastic community and promoting mindfulness as a path to personal and global healing. His teachings blend Zen meditation, engaged Buddhism, and accessible spiritual practice, emphasizing presence, compassion, and nonviolence in daily life.

More from Thich Nhat Hanh (183 quotes) →
"We have negative mental habits that come up over and over again. One…" — Thich Nhat Hanh | Daily Quotes