A wave has a right to live her life as a wave, but she must also learn to live her life as water because she is not only a wave. She is also water. And water lives without the fear carried by the wave.

A wave has a right to live her life as a wave, but she must also learn to live her life as water because she is not only a wave. She is also water. And water lives without the fear carried by the wave.

📖 Thich Nhat Hanh

🌍 Vietnamese  |  👨‍💼 Clergyman

🎂 October 11, 1926  –  ⚰️ January 22, 2022
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This quote beautifully encapsulates the essence of identity and the importance of understanding our true nature beyond the roles or surface appearances we often cling to. The wave represents our transient, dynamic, and sometimes tumultuous experience, symbolizing the fears, anxieties, and external challenges that characterize our lives. Yet, beneath this transient surface lies water, which signifies our core self—constant, formless, and unshakable. Recognizing that we are both a wave and water invites us to embrace the full spectrum of our existence. It encourages us to live passionately and actively, like a wave, but without losing touch with our inner stillness and stability—as water. This duality highlights the importance of mindfulness and self-awareness. When we identify solely with the wave, we become vulnerable to fear because we see ourselves as separate, temporary entities subject to life's unpredictable currents. But by acknowledging our water nature, we tap into a deep well of resilience and peace, understanding that beneath the fluctuations lies a constant, unchanging nature that can withstand any storm. Living as water means accepting change and uncertainty with grace, letting go of fears that often stem from attachment to a fixed self. It is about finding harmony in movement and stillness, activity and surrender. In embracing this perspective, we find freedom—not from life's difficulties, but from the fears that try to define and confine us. Like water, we can navigate the currents of life with compassion and calmness, deeply rooted in the understanding of our true self.

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July 03, 2025

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