459: Brother Minh Nhan: See For Yourself

Brother Minh Nhan, one of the only monastics in the Plum Village tradition of Mexican descent, is a monk of many interests: music, mushrooms, math, and more. 

"To join a community that maybe looks different, maybe don't see others like myself in it, let's say. Yeah, I mean, that's one way to look at it, but look at it as also, you're the one entering that. And you needn't be the last one either."

1:54 Introduction to Spirituality
14:38 Dropping Out of College
20:33 Arriving at Deer Park
22:11 Depression
31:09 Practice, Study, Play, and Rest
36:32 Being a Mexican Buddhist Monk
40:14 Advice for Those Considering Monastic Life

Source The Kalama Sutra

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The "Meet the Monastics" podcast from Deer Park Monastery, hosted by Brother Minh An, features weekly conversations with monastics about their journeys and inspirations. In this episode, he interviews Brother Minh Nhan, also known as Brother Kindness, who shares his unique story as one of the few monastics of Mexican descent in the Plum Village tradition.

Brother Minh Nhan's journey began with an interest in spirituality during high school, sparked by reading Siddhartha and the Kalama Sutta, which encouraged him to explore and trust his own experiences. He also found unexpected spiritual mentors through a yoga class he joined, thinking it was a pottery course. His college path led him to advanced studies in mathematics, but he eventually left academia, seeking a life of greater purpose and spiritual practice. This pivotal decision was influenced by his deepening mindfulness practice, which had provided stability during challenging times.

Choosing monastic life allowed him to align his values with his desire to benefit others, realizing that spiritual practice could offer lasting peace and service to those around him. His reflections highlight the importance of play and simplicity in daily life, helping balance the rigorous study and introspection of monastic training. Brother Minh Nhan is committed to the practice and hopes one day to share Buddhism with the Mexican community, while continuing to grow in the Plum Village tradition. The episode encourages others to explore monastic life, emphasizing that a diverse community can be enriched by newcomers.