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Thank you. Many Voices, One Journey. SoundsTrue.com. You're listening to Insights at the Edge.

This week I speak with Zen Master Ticknothan.

Ticknothan is a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk,

teacher, poet, peace activist, and the author of over 100 books. He is the author of numerous

Sounds True Audio Learning Programs, including The Art of Mindful Living and Living without Stress or Fear. Several years ago,

I had the rare opportunity to interview Ticknott Han as he visited the United States. We sat under

a willow tree and recorded an interview in Southern California. We discussed his experience as a

young monk, the engaged Buddhist movement, and the core of the Buddha's teachings. Liberation

through mindfulness. Ty, I wonder if you can start by going back in your life and talking to me about why you decided to become a monk when you were a child, how old you were, and what was that inspiration?

I was nine. When I saw a picture of the Buddha in the cover of a Buddhist magazine.

I saw the Buddha sitting on the grass like we do now, very peaceful, very solid.

And I just wanted to be like him, someone like him,

with some solidity and peace.

Because I saw around me people were not very happy, very relaxed.

And it was not a decision, it was a kind of desire.

And then that seat of desire was in me, very clear, very strong,

...