--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: First, let us light the torch of our…" description: "\"First, let us light the torch of our awareness and learn again how to drink tea, eat, wash dishes, walk, sit, drive, and work in awareness. We do not h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5a/nhat-hanh-515_activity_first-let-us-light-the-torch-of-our-awar_618687.jpg" --- # First, let us light the torch of our awareness and learn… ![“First, let us light the torch of our awareness and learn again how to drink tea, eat, wash dishes, walk, sit, drive, and work in awareness. We do not have to be swept along by circumstances. We are not just a leaf or a log in a rushing river. With awareness, each of our daily acts takes on a new…” quote by Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5a/nhat-hanh-515_activity_first-let-us-light-the-torch-of-our-awar_618687.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5a/nhat-hanh-515_activity_first-let-us-light-the-torch-of-our-awar_618687.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5a/nhat-hanh-515_activity_first-let-us-light-the-torch-of-our-awar_618687.jpg) > “First, let us light the torch of our awareness and learn again how to drink tea, eat, wash dishes, walk, sit, drive, and work in awareness. We do not have to be swept along by circumstances. We are not just a leaf or a log in a rushing river. With awareness, each of our daily acts takes on a new meaning, and we discover that we are more than machines, that our activities are not just mindless repetitions. We find that life is a miracle, the universe is a miracle, and we too are a miracle.” [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Mindful awareness transforms ordinary actions into meaningful experiences, revealing life’s miraculous nature. **In simple terms:** Being present makes daily tasks special. Key Takeaway Practice awareness in everyday activities. Themes mindfulness awareness meaning presence miracle Mood calm inspired Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - eating - walking - working - driving - household chores Key Concepts consciousness habit formation spirituality Questions to Reflect On - How does awareness change your perception of routine? - What practices help maintain mindfulness? A Different Perspective Mindfulness requires consistent effort and may be challenging in hectic environments. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Activity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activity/) [Awareness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awareness/) [Awareness Daily](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awareness-daily-5010361/) [Awareness Learn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awareness-learn-737327/) [Awareness Swept](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awareness-swept-5010362/) [Circumstances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circumstances/) [Dishes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dishes/) [Drink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drink/) [Drink Tea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drink-tea/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Leafs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leafs/) [Life is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is/) [Life Is A Miracle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is-a-miracle/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Machines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/machines/) [Mindless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mindless/) [Miracle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miracle/) [Miracles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miracles/) [Repetition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/repetition/) [Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rivers/) [Rushing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rushing/) [Tea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tea/) [Torches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/torches/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) [Walks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/walks/) [Work Awareness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-awareness-1567217/) ## Related quotes > [ We must intend to live \[the new spiritual awareness\], to integrate each increased degree of awareness into our daily routine. It only takes one… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-redfield/we-must-intend-to-live-the-new-spiritual-awareness-to-integrate-each/) [James Redfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-redfield/) > [It's important to understand the work that's being done, and to make sure it's actually helping. And sometimes, by working on it myself, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regine-chassagne/it-s-important-to-understand-the-work-that-s-being-done-and-to-make/) [Regine Chassagne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regine-chassagne/) > [If you know that most processing is below the level of awareness, you learn the value of sleep. You're brain is working on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brooks/if-you-know-that-most-processing-is-below-the-level-of-awareness-you/) [David Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brooks/) > [With self-awareness you grow more intelligent. In awareness you learn, in self-awareness you learn about yourself. Of course, you can only learn what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/with-self-awareness-you-grow-more-intelligent-in-awareness-you-learn/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [Each second of life is a miracle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/each-second-of-life-is-a-miracle/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [The joy of life is born of concentration. When you are having a cup of tea, the value of that experience depends on your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/the-joy-of-life-is-born-of-concentration-when-you-are-having-a-cup-of/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [It may be that we cease; we cannot tell. Even if we cease, life is a miracle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-masefield/it-may-be-that-we-cease-we-cannot-tell-even-if-we-cease-life-is-a/) [John Masefield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-masefield/) > [“Life is a miracle. YOU are a unique expression of this purposeful miracle. Think of how GREAT that makes you. Live big! You are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/life-is-a-miracle-you-are-a-unique-expression-of-this-purposeful/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [“In a group of five workouts, I tend to have one great workout, the kind of workout that makes me think in just a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/in-a-group-of-five-workouts-i-tend-to-have-one-great-workout-the-kind/) [Dan John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-john/) > [“Life is a miracle thus don't let it slip away You were given a heart and a purpose for reason so love and cherish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandile-sean-mntla/life-is-a-miracle-thus-don-t-let-it-slip-away-you-were-given-a-heart/) [Sandile Sean Mntla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandile-sean-mntla/) > [If you haven't noticed that everything in life is a miracle, then you're missing out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-haven-t-noticed-that-everything-in-life-is-a-miracle-then-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I know that my life is a miracle and because of that, I can't think my success is because I was so great at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mellody-hobson/i-know-that-my-life-is-a-miracle-and-because-of-that-i-can-t-think-my/) [Mellody Hobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mellody-hobson/) > [Life is a miracle, and we need to not fear trying to achieve our potential and reveal the remarkable creation we and all living…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-siegel/life-is-a-miracle-and-we-need-to-not-fear-trying-to-achieve-our/) [Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/) > [“Life is a miracle. We, all of us are creator beings. We are the joyful choice makers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakshi-chetana/life-is-a-miracle-we-all-of-us-are-creator-beings-we-are-the-joyful/) [Sakshi Chetana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakshi-chetana/) > [My life is a miracle and so is Yours. You could have died at childbirth, many do..you didn't. You could be lame, blind, deaf,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-nathaniel-butler/my-life-is-a-miracle-and-so-is-yours-you-could-have-died-at/) [Eugene Nathaniel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-nathaniel-butler/) ## More by Nhat Hanh > [Happiness is the cessation of suffering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/happiness-is-the-cessation-of-suffering/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [We need enlightenment, not just individually but collectively, to save the planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/we-need-enlightenment-not-just-individually-but-collectively-to-save/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [If you really know how to live, what better way to start the day than with a smile?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/if-you-really-know-how-to-live-what-better-way-to-start-the-day-than/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [Contemplating the bowl, it is possible to see the interdependent elements which give rise to the bowl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/contemplating-the-bowl-it-is-possible-to-see-the-interdependent/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [Our joy, peace and happiness depend very much on our practice of recognizing and transforming habit energies. There are positive habit energies that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/our-joy-peace-and-happiness-depend-very-much-on-our-practice-of/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [I vow to live fully in each moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/i-vow-to-live-fully-in-each-moment/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [Silence is something that comes from your heart, not from outside. Silence doesn't mean not talking and not doing things; it means that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/silence-is-something-that-comes-from-your-heart-not-from-outside/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [Freedom is the real foundation of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/freedom-is-the-real-foundation-of-happiness/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [Wisdom is a living stream, not an icon to be preserved in a museum. Only when a practitioner finds the spring of wisdom in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/wisdom-is-a-living-stream-not-an-icon-to-be-preserved-in-a-museum/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [We may think of peace as the absence of war, that if the great powers would reduce their weapons arsenals, we could have peace.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/we-may-think-of-peace-as-the-absence-of-war-that-if-the-great-powers/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [If you are capable of brushing your teeth in mindfulness, then you will be able to enjoy the time when you take a shower,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/if-you-are-capable-of-brushing-your-teeth-in-mindfulness-then-you/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [If I am incapable of washing dishes joyfully, if I want to finish them quickly so I can go and have dessert, I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/if-i-am-incapable-of-washing-dishes-joyfully-if-i-want-to-finish-them/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [When we have anger in us, we suffer. When we have discrimination in us, we suffer. When we have the complex of superiority, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/when-we-have-anger-in-us-we-suffer-when-we-have-discrimination-in-us/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [Every morning, when we wake up, we have twenty-four brand-new hours to live. What a precious gift! We have the capacity to live in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/every-morning-when-we-wake-up-we-have-twenty-four-brand-new-hours-to/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [It is best if we do not listen to or look at the person whom we consider to be the cause of our anger.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/it-is-best-if-we-do-not-listen-to-or-look-at-the-person-whom-we/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) [Explore all 507 Nhat Hanh quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) ## More Activity quotes > [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [It must be assumed and established as a principle, that the right of private property must be regarded as sacred. Wherefore, the law ought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/it-must-be-assumed-and-established-as-a-principle-that-the-right-of/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [And also I think the rise of other, you could say, destinations for international jihadis mean that Pakistan isn't necessarily the place where people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohsin-hamid/and-also-i-think-the-rise-of-other-you-could-say-destinations-for/) [Mohsin Hamid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohsin-hamid/) > [To evoke in oneself a feeling one has once experienced, and having evoked it in oneself, then by means of movements, lines, colors, sounds,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/to-evoke-in-oneself-a-feeling-one-has-once-experienced-and-having/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Fighting's fun, man. It's a great activity, it's a great sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mitrione/fighting-s-fun-man-it-s-a-great-activity-it-s-a-great-sport/) [Matt Mitrione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mitrione/) > [There were books everywhere in my house. Books were very present. I just loved books. I never understood reading as anything but a pleasurable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-lucas/there-were-books-everywhere-in-my-house-books-were-very-present-i/) [Lisa Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-lucas/) > [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [The only activity a cynic will find contagious is yawning, that is, with other people, at other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/the-only-activity-a-cynic-will-find-contagious-is-yawning-that-is/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [For the longest time, neuroscientists were forced to be passive observers of brain activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gero-miesenbock/for-the-longest-time-neuroscientists-were-forced-to-be-passive/) [Gero Miesenbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gero-miesenbock/) > [Enjoyment is not a goal, it is a feeling that accompanies important ongoing activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-goodman/enjoyment-is-not-a-goal-it-is-a-feeling-that-accompanies-important/) [Paul Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-goodman/) > [Once an activity has been socialized, it is impossible to point out, by concrete example, how men in a free market could better conduct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-read/once-an-activity-has-been-socialized-it-is-impossible-to-point-out-by/) [Leonard Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-read/) > [“Fun is not an activity, it is a state of mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/fun-is-not-an-activity-it-is-a-state-of-mind/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [I have to consider everything I eat; I consider every activity I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kimball/i-have-to-consider-everything-i-eat-i-consider-every-activity-i-do/) [Charlie Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kimball/) > [Almost all good businesses engage in 'pain today, gain tomorrow' activities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/almost-all-good-businesses-engage-in-pain-today-gain-tomorrow/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) [Browse all 3,263 Activity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "First, let us light the torch of our awareness and learn again how to drink tea, eat, wash dishes, walk, sit, drive, and work in awareness. We do not have to be swept along by circumstances. We are not just a leaf or a log in a rushing river. With awareness, each of our daily acts takes on a new meaning, and we discover that we are more than machines, that our activities are not just mindless repetitions. We find that life is a miracle, the universe is a miracle, and we too are a miracle.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Nhat Hanh" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/first-let-us-light-the-torch-of-our-awareness-and-learn-again-how-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Activity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/first-let-us-light-the-torch-of-our-awareness-and-learn-again-how-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5a/nhat-hanh-515_activity_first-let-us-light-the-torch-of-our-awar_618687.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5a/nhat-hanh-515_activity_first-let-us-light-the-torch-of-our-awar_618687.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5a/nhat-hanh-515_activity_first-let-us-light-the-torch-of-our-awar_618687.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“First, let us light the torch of our awareness and learn again how to drink tea, eat, wash dishes, walk…” — Nhat Hanh", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Nhat Hanh", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "First, let us light the torch...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/first-let-us-light-the-torch-of-our-awareness-and-learn-again-how-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/first-let-us-light-the-torch-of-our-awareness-and-learn-again-how-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```