“Mindfulness & Grief: The 24 hour Philosophy”
Mindfulness & Grief:
When I started my grief journey recovery many, many years ago, I clung to the wise words of Thích Nhất Hạnh. I read his book No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering cover to cover, trying to find meaning in my pain. He explains the lotus flower beautifully floating on the top of the water, its beauty arising from the mud below, where it gets its nutrients. I waited... what kind of beauty could possibly arise from such devastation? I couldn’t see it then, but his teachings planted a seed—a reminder that even in suffering, growth is possible.
The 24 Hour Philosophy
One of the most powerful lessons I embraced from Thích Nhất Hạnh is his 24-hour philosophy—the idea that each day is a new opportunity, unburdened by the past and untouched by the uncertainties of the future. This philosophy became a lifeline for me. When grief threatened to pull me under, I reminded myself that I didn’t have to carry yesterday’s weight or worry about tomorrow’s unknowns. I only needed to be present in today.
Thích Nhất Hạnh teaches that we truly exist only in the present moment. The past is a memory, and the future is an illusion. We spend so much time regretting yesterday and fearing tomorrow that we forget to live right now. But when we embrace the present fully, we reclaim our power. Each day is a fresh start—an opportunity to breathe, to feel, to heal.
Mindfulness:
Mindfulness is the foundation of this practice. By bringing awareness to our breath, our steps, and our surroundings, we ground ourselves in the now. In his teachings, Thích Nhất Hạnh suggests beginning each day with conscious breathing. Inhaling, we acknowledge the gift of this new day. Exhaling, we release what no longer serves us. It is a reminder that we are alive, and that in this moment, we have everything we need.
Daily Intention:
He also speaks of the importance of greeting each new day with gratitude and intention. Instead of waking up and immediately getting lost in thoughts of to-do lists or worries, we can set an intention to simply be—to experience life as it unfolds. Whether that means savoring a morning cup of tea, listening to the birds outside, or embracing a loved one with full presence, these small moments become acts of mindfulness that shape our entire day.
Letting Go:
For those of us who have experienced profound loss, the weight of grief can feel inescapable. But Thích Nhất Hạnh’s 24-hour philosophy reminds us that we are not bound by our suffering. We can start anew each day. We can let go of yesterday’s pain and choose, even in small ways, to embrace the beauty of now. This doesn’t mean forgetting our grief—it means allowing ourselves to breathe alongside it, to carry it lightly instead of letting it consume us.
If you find yourself overwhelmed, take a deep breath. Feel the air enter your lungs. Recognize that this moment is yours, fresh and untouched. You are not yesterday’s sorrow or tomorrow’s fear. You are here. And that is enough.
