Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life by Thich Nhat Hanh Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life
Book Review: Think Less, Smile More, Realize Peace
Summary: 5 Stars
"If we just act with awareness and integrity, our art will flower, and we don't have to talk about it at all. When we know how to be peace, we find that art is a wondeful way to share our peacefulness. Artistic expression will take place in one way or another, but the being is essential. So we must get back to ourselves, and when we have joy and peace in ourselves, our creations of art will be quite natural, and they will serve the world in a positive way."
Initially, I wanted to pull the first sentence to begin this thought on Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh's book about making positive use of the situations that pressure and upset us, Peace Is Every Step.
But I didn't want to stop once I started typing. A pleasure of transcription is being in the original words of the writer or speaker. Following an individual's syntax, punctuation, and usage to physically recreate it puts the typist very close to the thougth process itself. "The being" that is essential is the condition of being a seamless part of the world you're in in every moment. To be in the here and now is to not be in the past with its burdens or in the future with its unknowns. To look at a flower is to see a flower, not the raw material of a poem or painting. To be with a friend is to see him or her as an individual, not as a producer of some sort who can yield you some benefit. As Whitman said, the world is too much with us. It's with us in our thoughts all the time as we imagine new ways to exploit and manipulate it and manage it for our well-being. Forget about all that and see it for what it is and you find yourself in a simpler, more peaceful place. Do that, and you are the peace itself.
Hanh's book has a wonderful set of meditations on dealing with fear, anger, other people. Essentially, he explains, all these negative feelings are the result of dualistic thinking, of seeing ourselves as opposite and outside all other things. Western thinking would have us believe that the ultimate existential truth is that we are alone in the world; Eastern thinking teaches that we are in the world and that is enough.
"If you can refrain from hoping, you can bring yourself entirely into the present moment and discover joy that is already here," Hanh says on this subject. Indeed, "we don't need the future. We can smile and relax. Everything we want is right here in the present moment."
Book Review: Thich Nhat Hanh delivers again
Summary: 5 Stars
I have absolutely fallen in love with the writings of this gentle wise monk. I have several of his books, and I can't pick a favorite!
In this book, I learn that I can practice mindfulness anywhere. Even at red light.
I am so blessed to have been exposed to the writings of Thich Nhat Hahn. He has helped me find inner peace and has helped me to learn how to forgive. He has taught me how to let go of my harmful anger.
He has taught me to ride "serenely upon the waves of birth and death."
Book Review: Refreshing
Summary: 5 Stars
I enjoyed reading this book as I am just beginning to learn about Buddhism and insight meditation. It helped me to understand more about what it is to live in a mindful way. It's a light read, and I anticipate that it will be something to pick up when I need a little refresher on how to be mindful.Book Review: a warm and peaceful embrace
Summary: 4 Stars
A sweet and touching book that encourages fullness and peace in every moment. I've long admired the author for his loving embrace of life and humanity in spite of his tragic war experiences. His life is a testament to the sincerity of his words.Book Review: Peace of mind be with you.
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm still savoring the book. It has tiny chapters with choice points to consider: ways you might want to change to to improve your life. It's written by a peaceful man and conveys its peace in each section. He shows you ways to simplify your life and enjoy it more. It doesn't force a religious belief.
I highly recommend this book for a beginner on the path or a seasoned traveler. You'll find peace of mind with this book.