BOOK REVIEW: PEACE IS EVERY STEP BY THICH NHAT HANH

As the book cover notes, this book helps to find the “Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life.” This book is simple, clear and easy reading – I’d recommend it to anyone – with or without an interest in spiritual topics. I’d like to hand out copies to everyone I meet!

For me, modern life can be mind numbing, so I look for ways to grow so that I’m not a victim of the bombardment of radio and TV ads, daily pressures, responsibilities and news. On the matter of peacefulness and mindfulness, this book may be my favorite. Chapters tend to be a page or two so it’s easy to read a little bit and think about what you’ve read.

We should learn to ask, “What’s not wrong?” and be in touch with that.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh

Starting with a forward by the Dalai Lama helps set the tone. As a reminder to those who are familiar or for those who are not… The Dalai Lamas are believed by Tibetan Buddhists to be manifestations of the Bodhisattva of Compassion.

Fun fact: according to the “Birth to Exile” article on the 14th Dalai Lama’s website, he is “the seventy-fourth in a lineage that can be traced back to a Brahmin boy who lived in the time of Buddha Shakyamuni.”

Zen master, spiritual leader and author Thich Nhat Hanh shares how to make positive use of daily situations that usually pressure us. For example a ringing telephone can be a signal to breathe for a moment. Dirty dishes, red lights and traffic jams are spiritual moments to trigger “mindfulness” – the process of keeping our consciousness present.

“Every thought you produce, anything you say, any action you do, it bears your signature.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh

Poetically written, Peace Is Every Step contains insightful commentaries, meditations and anecdotes from Nhat Hanh’s experiences as a peace activist, teacher, and community leader. Mr. Hanh provides truly simple exercises to increase our awareness of our own body and mind using conscious breathing… these simple techniques can bring immediate joy and peace. Mr. Hanh also shows how to be aware in relationships with others and of the world around us. The simple practices of Peace Is Every Step encourage the reader to work for peace as s/he continues to work on sustaining inner peace.

A friend of mine posted in Facebook the other day, “to be mindful, slow down.” That has stuck with me as so much of my life has been running as fast as possible! Slowing down allows me to be more present. Being more present allows me to be more calm, peaceful and careful.

“The absence of clear understanding is the basis for every knot.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh

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Would you like to know more about Thich Nhat Hanh?
Mindfulness
Relax
Listen to the Dharma Plum Village | Deer Park Dharmacast | Thich Nhat Hanh Audio Archives
Visit the Deer Park Monastery in Southern California

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