In his book Being Peace, Zen master and Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn explains the power of a smile. The act of smiling relaxes hundreds of muscles in the face and in the nervous system. “A smile makes you master of yourself,” says Hahn.
Buddhist teachings acknowledge the reality of suffering in this world and Hahn experienced it first hand in his native Vietnam. Yet this spiritual leader maintains that the seeds of peace can be sown with a smile, along with meditation and mindfulness: “If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.”
It is impossible to be angry and smile a genuine smile at the same time. Smiling not only relaxes and calms us, it sends our messages of good will to others. It is a signal that we truly see the other, that we are approachable and kind. It is one of the simplest gifts we can give to increase happiness in ourselves and others.
According to Hahn, happiness comes from noticing simple things like sunshine and the beauty of a blue sky, the smile of a newborn, the sensation of our breathing. No matter the source of suffering we encounter, there is always space to notice the gift of life itself – life expressed in nature, in those we love, and in our own bodies.
Life will always be a mixture of suffering and joy for ourselves, for those we love, and for those whose lives cross ours even if only tangentially. But that does not mean that we have to wait until all suffering is eased before we can be happy. Most of us were born with the innate desire to smile and most children smile almost constantly. But somewhere between childhood and adulthood, too many of us have forgotten the joy we can feel in the simple act of giving and receiving a smile.
“Life is both dreadful and wonderful…How can I smile when I am filled with so much sorrow? It is natural–you need to smile to your sorrow because you are more than your sorrow.” Thich Nhat Hanh
So today on Day 2 of our 2109 Novena for Peace, practice smiling. You’ll be amazed how that simple gesture can change a moment, a day, a life.
Questions for Reflection & Meditation
For the full ritual and prayers that are part of the novena, please see the Novena for Peace Ritual , Questions, & Prayers post. Below are the questions for meditation and reflection from it:
- When was I able to experience love, compassion, and/or forgiveness today; where was the Sacred One in that?
- Was I able to be the face of Divine Love for others, showing compassion or forgiveness?
- Thinking over my day, did I miss an opportunity to offer compassion or forgiveness?
- Did I look for and see the face of God in others, accepting God’s love from them?
- In what ways small or large have I been an instrument of peace? Where was God present in that?
- What robbed me of my peace today? Can I find God there too?
- Do I let God call to me in my frustration, anger, confusion, and hurt? Do I let God in when I am not perfect?
- Is there someone who needs the compassion or forgiveness that I uniquely can give? Is there someone whose understanding and forgiveness I need? What must I surrender or embrace to allow that to come to pass?
- Do I trust Divine Love enough to give freely of myself without expectation of understanding, forgiveness, or love in return?