Compassion is the fruit of understanding. Understanding is the bloom of mindfulness. The West has much to learn from this deeply profound philosophical-religious tradition. To affirm the 4 pedagogical teaching stance of another implies that we alone do not possess the fullness of truth. We can learn something from someone else.
Truth is broader than any one expression or proposition.
It is a call issued to us a summons from Mystery that constantly asks us to return and contemplate what we thought we already knew only to discover new and deeper insights. Truth is an event. No one applauded as Nhat Hanh concluded his talk. In that simple act of reverence, this holy man taught those assembled more than any recent Vatican document ever could. Soon shall we spew forth this frail spirit.