Vietnam // 2013 \\ Sound Collage

In 2013, I traveled to Vietnam, learned how to meditate, and recorded interviews with a small handheld Sony recorder.

1. Guided meditation instructions from “Creating True Peace: Ending Violence in Yourself, Your Family, Your Community, and the World”, by Thich Nhat Hanh. The abbess at a Buddhist monastery in Huế who taught me how to meditate lent me this book, and others, to help me learn about Buddhism and meditation. I recorded myself reading this out loud so that I could listen and practice. (Huế)

2. Recording from an overnight train ride from Hà Nội to Huế.

3. Conducting a silly “interview” with Cường Nguyễn, Chi Đao, and Khuong Đao. (Hải Phòng)

4. "Đời Tôi Đi Tu” (“My Life Went to Practice”) sung by Buddhist monk Thầy Thích Nhật Hóa. (Huế)

5. A “novice” training to become a Buddhist nun, speaking about her family and decision to join monastic life (she asked that her name not be shared). (Huế)

6. Asking my friend’s mom what her name is. We became close during my time in Vietnam: I called her “mẹ” (“mom”) and she called me “con” (“child”). (Hải Phòng)

7. “Hiểu Và Thương” (“Understanding and Love”) sung by a young nun at a Buddhist school. (Huế)

8. Guided meditation instructions from “Creating True Peace: Ending Violence in Yourself, Your Family, Your Community, and the World”, by Thich Nhat Hanh. (Huế)