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Available
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Description
Religion & Spirituality. Self-Improvement. Nonfiction. In this beautiful and lucid guide, Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh offers gentle anecdotes and practical exercises as a means of learning the skills of mindfulness-being awake and fully aware. From washing the dishes to answering the phone to peeling an orange, he reminds us that each moment holds within it an opportunity to work toward greater self-understanding and peacefulness.
Publication
Beacon Press (1987), Edition: Revised, 140 pages
User reviews
LibraryThing member Arctic-Stranger
What is going on...RIGHT NOW? How much of our lives do we miss because we not paying attention? (I once stole away from a stressful situation by going to the beach for a few hours. While I was on the beach I day dreamed about...how peaceful it would be to be to be laying on the beach!)
Thich Nhat
Thich Nhat
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Hanh gives us a few tools to help us reclaim who we are, right now. Not who we want to be, or who we think we are. This book may take you to a place you have rarely been--the present. Show Less
LibraryThing member frank_oconnor
It teaches the valuable art of not only how to live well but how to live with acute perception. Simple lessons, huge benefits.
LibraryThing member tootstorm
With how widespread Thích Nhất Hạnh's name is in the new age world, I completely misunderstood who he was and what he taught. Hanh's Miracle of Mindfulness is a series of translated letters from 1968 -- written while exiled from Vietnam -- instructing young monks overseas on meditation. His
I expected scam artistry akin to Eckhart Tolle or Deepak Chopra, not legitimate Buddhist teachings. There's still a few lines of woo-woo that don't mean anything (to me, at least), but the majority of Hanh's Buddhist ideas reject the nonsense of religious text and simply want the the reader to be self-aware: Recognize their emotions and the emotions of others; the causes of social strife and personal discomfort; the is-ness of all things.
It's a straight, beautiful series of meditations to wash away one's anxieties, starting with the most basic step in meditation: Be conscious of one's breathing. Focus on the act of breathing. Focus on any act one's doing and enjoy it -- walking, doing the dishes, the laundry -- because all moments in life could and should be enjoyable.
The book concludes with a useful step-by-step guide on each method of meditation without the letters' contexts -- a great reference for when one needs reminders.
Hanh's writing is succinct, and makes the reader feel beautiful without asking for anything in return. Highly recommended.
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'mindfulness' isn't the confusing buzzword it is today, but simply a way to inch towards the Buddhist idea of enlightenment.I expected scam artistry akin to Eckhart Tolle or Deepak Chopra, not legitimate Buddhist teachings. There's still a few lines of woo-woo that don't mean anything (to me, at least), but the majority of Hanh's Buddhist ideas reject the nonsense of religious text and simply want the the reader to be self-aware: Recognize their emotions and the emotions of others; the causes of social strife and personal discomfort; the is-ness of all things.
It's a straight, beautiful series of meditations to wash away one's anxieties, starting with the most basic step in meditation: Be conscious of one's breathing. Focus on the act of breathing. Focus on any act one's doing and enjoy it -- walking, doing the dishes, the laundry -- because all moments in life could and should be enjoyable.
The book concludes with a useful step-by-step guide on each method of meditation without the letters' contexts -- a great reference for when one needs reminders.
Hanh's writing is succinct, and makes the reader feel beautiful without asking for anything in return. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member HoraceSPatoot
This book is truly a gem. It teaches a lesson that I have to revisit about every five years. It is not a religious book, and doesn't require a belief in any particular religion. Instead, it is a way of enriching one's life by fully stepping into it instead of watching it, or waiting for it to occur.
LibraryThing member ovistine
A classic book of meditation by a Vietnamese Buddhist monk in exile. This book describes many of the ways to seek mindfulness in daily life.
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
The subtitle is "an introduction to the practice of meditation." That's a bit misleading. This is a lot more than a value-free manual. The introduction tells us this the main text was originally a long letter from Thich Nhat Hanh to a fellow Buddhist monk in Vietnam in the midst of the war in 1975.
Translated into English under his supervision by a friend, you can't sever this from it's Buddhist context. There's a lot about Buddhist philosophy here--even a discussion about such issues at the "naive" depiction of the faith in Hesse's Siddharta. The last chapter consists of a "Selection of Buddhist Sutras" (which I found impenetrable). The writing is lucid, but even though written in deceptively simple language, a lot of the concepts are pretty sophisticated and I think take repeated reading to really understand. Mind you, this isn't an introduction to Buddhism per se. This isn't the place to find an overview of the religion and the focus is on meditation and "mindfulness."
Hanh's concept of meditation and mindfulness doesn't necessarily mean what you do in a lotus position while going "ohm." He means by it living in the moment and fully alert even as you drink tea or wash dishes. "Mindfulness frees us of forgetfulness and dispersion and makes it possible to live fully each minute of life." Not that he doesn't see a place for more formal meditation, and he provides several practical exercises, particularly focusing on the breath. "Our breath is the bridge from out body to our mind... it alone is the tool which can bring them both together."
My introduction to meditation actually was in the mandatory Religion class in my Catholic high school. I remember feeling silly as we were directed to go "ohm." Later I'd be reintroduced to the practice when I took Yoga classes. I remember feeling frustrated as I was told to clear my mind of all thought--which I thought impossible. So it was interesting and useful that it's not what Hanh directs. He says rather when you have thoughts during meditation, you acknowledge the thought--or feeling. "The essential thing is not to let any feeling or thought arise without recognizing it in mindfulness, like a palace guard who is aware of every face that passes in the front corridor."
It's an interesting and useful book if you're curious about meditation and Buddhism, written clearly and succinctly--the main text of the book is only about a hundred pages. Although to get much out of it means reading with mindfulness--repeatedly, slowly, taking notes--and practicing the exercises. And in that regard, I think it does help to do it with others rather than just try to work through the book by yourself.
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Hanh, exiled from Vietnam, worked against the war and was nominated by Martin Luther King for the Nobel Peace Prize. Translated into English under his supervision by a friend, you can't sever this from it's Buddhist context. There's a lot about Buddhist philosophy here--even a discussion about such issues at the "naive" depiction of the faith in Hesse's Siddharta. The last chapter consists of a "Selection of Buddhist Sutras" (which I found impenetrable). The writing is lucid, but even though written in deceptively simple language, a lot of the concepts are pretty sophisticated and I think take repeated reading to really understand. Mind you, this isn't an introduction to Buddhism per se. This isn't the place to find an overview of the religion and the focus is on meditation and "mindfulness."
Hanh's concept of meditation and mindfulness doesn't necessarily mean what you do in a lotus position while going "ohm." He means by it living in the moment and fully alert even as you drink tea or wash dishes. "Mindfulness frees us of forgetfulness and dispersion and makes it possible to live fully each minute of life." Not that he doesn't see a place for more formal meditation, and he provides several practical exercises, particularly focusing on the breath. "Our breath is the bridge from out body to our mind... it alone is the tool which can bring them both together."
My introduction to meditation actually was in the mandatory Religion class in my Catholic high school. I remember feeling silly as we were directed to go "ohm." Later I'd be reintroduced to the practice when I took Yoga classes. I remember feeling frustrated as I was told to clear my mind of all thought--which I thought impossible. So it was interesting and useful that it's not what Hanh directs. He says rather when you have thoughts during meditation, you acknowledge the thought--or feeling. "The essential thing is not to let any feeling or thought arise without recognizing it in mindfulness, like a palace guard who is aware of every face that passes in the front corridor."
It's an interesting and useful book if you're curious about meditation and Buddhism, written clearly and succinctly--the main text of the book is only about a hundred pages. Although to get much out of it means reading with mindfulness--repeatedly, slowly, taking notes--and practicing the exercises. And in that regard, I think it does help to do it with others rather than just try to work through the book by yourself.
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LibraryThing member kcshankd
This is a wonderful summation of Hanh's thought, and Buddhism in general. I wasn't sure what to expect, but very much appreciated his 'living' meditation - when you are doing the dishes, do the dishes. When you wake, wake. I hope to concentrate much more by not concentrating... breathe in... out.
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Walk, wash, and breathe. Cook, eat, clean, breathe. Show Less
LibraryThing member Clara53
This book is a gem on the road to mindfulness. I've been on this path for a while now, and still - some aspects of it are yet to be discovered. This book is helping me in that regard tremendously. Each chapter starts with a short quintessential saying by the author, written in his beautiful
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calligraphic hand. At the end of the book there is a chapter by Jim Forest about Thich Nhat Hanh - this wonderful Buddhist monk and outstanding human being. There is also a sampling of Buddhist Sutras, as well as chronology of Thich Nhat Hanh's life. This book is to be read and re-read: some suggestions are easy enough to implement in your life and some require more understanding: so delving into some chapters again and again is a must. To live in mindfulness seems like a simple proposal, but it carries with itself enormous benefits for oneself and for people surrounding you. One of the essential things to remember from this book is that "the meditative life doesn't require a secluded, greenhouse existence..." Show Less
LibraryThing member PhoenixTerran
The Miracle of Mindfulness is a beautifully personal, simple, and clearly written book by the Vietnamese Zen Master, Tich Nhat Hahn. In it he weaves personal stories, commentary, and instruction together in an easily accessible way, providing a virtual handbook to meditation. He argues that one
Experiment in Reading
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does not have to sit in full lotus to meditate, though zazen (sitting meditation) certainly has it's placed and shouldn't simply be discarded. But, through the miracle that is mindfulness, a person can transform every action and moment of their life into a form of meditation.Experiment in Reading
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LibraryThing member jwcooper3
A good introduction to meditation and mindfullness. About half the book was written by Hanh, the rest are writings from other sources that may be on interest to those going full blown gonzo into Buddhist Zen practice but adds little for the beginner.
LibraryThing member mamorico
My favorite book about meditation technique. Accessible and patient, reading this book calms the mind.
LibraryThing member ltrain
I can't get this book out of my mind, but I suppose that is the point. I read this book on a plane ride to Europe where I travelled alone. Mentally, I was introduced to a practice of applying a new consciousness to all things--beginning with one of the most simple, yet challenging: breathing. I
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love Thich Nhat Hanh and believe that anything he writes, no matter how concise becomes a manifestation of peace and wisdom. It does not matter which of his texts you choose because the teachings are essential and deepen with experience and meditation on life in light of this text. I find that the miracle of this book is that I continue to return to it as I reflect on everything I learn and experience in this life. Show Less
LibraryThing member keebrook
this one came into my possession of its own accord. i did not seek it out. in fact, i'd been avoiding writings of this man. but it arrived on my desk one day and seemed to want me to read it. so, i'm giving it a respectful perusal.
later that same iteration: typical but well-written buddhist fare
well worth a good read.
later that same iteration: typical but well-written buddhist fare
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detailing problems of Mind and yogic technique. sags a bit into woo but that's to be expected, especially since the book is from the 1970s. i would recommend this one to people just beginning to explore yoga and meditation and buddhism but also serious students of philosophy because the plain narrative and anecdotes cut through a lot of the pretentious patter and strangulated, over-jargoned prose often found in philosophical treatises.well worth a good read.
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LibraryThing member IonaS
Unfortunately, I had to read this book in Danish translation, since the library wouldn't get it for me in English (I can't buy all the books I read). The English version is a translation from the Vietnamese, the author Thich Nhat Hanh being a Buddhist monk who wrote the book in 1974 as a letter to
The book exhorts the reader to mindfulness, i.e. to live in the "now", as Echart Tolle directs us to do, and explains how to do so. When you do the dishes, you don't do so to get them clean, but just for the sake of doing them. You do them with mindfulness and love for the process.
The author's words (even in translation) are imbued with peace and calm, and I found myself reading the book more slowly than I otherwise might have done.
Thich Nhat Hanh's text is inspiring and useful. Its essence is his advocacy of the importance of breathing exercises in order to obtain mindfulness, and innumerable of these are found in a subsequent section on mindfulness exercises as a whole.
A chapter enlightens us about the author Nhat Hanh who at the time of writing what turned into the book was committed to explaining to the Americans the necessity of stopping the bombings and killings in his country. He is a poet and Zen Master.
The final sections of the book are devoted to a selection of buddhist Sutras, which I couldn't really make head or tail of.
But all in all, an admirable book - a good introduction to mindfulness meditation.
I will now be trying to obtain other works of this author, preferably some that have not been translated into Danish, so I have a better chance of getting hold of them in English, for instance, "The long road turns to joy".
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a teacher at a social school in South Vietnam from his exile in France.The book exhorts the reader to mindfulness, i.e. to live in the "now", as Echart Tolle directs us to do, and explains how to do so. When you do the dishes, you don't do so to get them clean, but just for the sake of doing them. You do them with mindfulness and love for the process.
The author's words (even in translation) are imbued with peace and calm, and I found myself reading the book more slowly than I otherwise might have done.
Thich Nhat Hanh's text is inspiring and useful. Its essence is his advocacy of the importance of breathing exercises in order to obtain mindfulness, and innumerable of these are found in a subsequent section on mindfulness exercises as a whole.
A chapter enlightens us about the author Nhat Hanh who at the time of writing what turned into the book was committed to explaining to the Americans the necessity of stopping the bombings and killings in his country. He is a poet and Zen Master.
The final sections of the book are devoted to a selection of buddhist Sutras, which I couldn't really make head or tail of.
But all in all, an admirable book - a good introduction to mindfulness meditation.
I will now be trying to obtain other works of this author, preferably some that have not been translated into Danish, so I have a better chance of getting hold of them in English, for instance, "The long road turns to joy".
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LibraryThing member Amsa1959
I have been trying to practice mindfulness for a few years. I started as a way trying to change my way of living after I´ve got ill. I found it very helpful and it opened my mind to a hole new way of leading my life. Unfortunately (and I think very commonly) I started to skip my meditations and my
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practises and readings, which of course made me begin to loose my mindfulness. Finding and reading this book has been like finding a long gone dear friend. It seems written directly to the reader and the tone is so loving, so humble and so inspiring. It made me stop and listen to myself. Show Less
LibraryThing member dalevywasbri
The Miracle of Mindfulness is a good introduction to a very specific thing, unfortunately that thing is a very small part of Buddhism and meditation.
Simply put Zen Buddhism is the radical branch of Buddhism, while the other schools are off debating long doctrines and esoteric practices Zen
From what couple chapters I have read “Mindfulness in Plain English” by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana is a far better guide to meditation than this book. Thich Nhat Hanh has written stuff I like, but this is more about Zen practice in general than meditation, hence three stars.
Simply put Zen Buddhism is the radical branch of Buddhism, while the other schools are off debating long doctrines and esoteric practices Zen
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practitioners will be contemplating Koans like “’What is the Buddha?’ ‘Three pounds of Flax.’” The point of the whole practice of Zen is to bring the Buddha back into the world, Nhat Hanh spends a lot of time on this, which is helpful – if you are trying to understand Zen. Unfortunately, this book is really only an introduction into Zen practice, and not even zen meditative practice at that (one school on Zen, Soto, will literally spend whole sutras on just breaking down sitting meditation).From what couple chapters I have read “Mindfulness in Plain English” by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana is a far better guide to meditation than this book. Thich Nhat Hanh has written stuff I like, but this is more about Zen practice in general than meditation, hence three stars.
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LibraryThing member ransage
If you like books by Thich Nhat Hanh, then I think this is an excellent book. It is not the best introduction to mindfulness practice, but it provides an excellent feel for the underlying concepts. As described in the forword, this book is translated from materials that Thich Nhat Hanh was sending
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to monks serving during the Vietnam war while he was exiled. For those from the Christian tradition, it has some of the characteristics of the various "letters", but I think this is far more accessible. I recommend most people skip the second half of the book; I think re-reading the first half is a better experience. Show Less
LibraryThing member porch_reader
I bought this as a Kindle Daily Deal. It is a short book that is more about the philosophy of mindfulness than the actual practice. Thich Nhat Hanh shares a few techniques that may be helpful for those new to meditation or mindfulness, but the power of this book really comes from its arguments for
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practicing mindfulness. It is a brief treatise from one of the world's experts on mindfulness. Show Less
LibraryThing member marasgma
A beautiful classic. This special gift edition contains lovely drawings to begin each chapter, as well as several photographs taken between 1968 and 2009. This is the best book I have ever read on mindfulness, in part, I believe, because it was originally written as a letter to a primary staff
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member at the School of Youth for Social Service in South Vietnam. It is very personal and there is a sense that the author is sitting with me, saying aloud what is written. The book is filled with stories, but primarily offers very detailed and specific processes for achieving and maintaining mindfulness. The very words on each page create an atmosphere of peace and relaxation. It is easy to move into rest. Show Less
LibraryThing member CarolynSchroeder
This is a wonderful little book, with real, applicable examples on how to live more mindfully. Every time I read Which That Hanh, I remember how simple that really is, and how hard we work to make life hard on ourselves. I read this many years ago, but this new gift edition was such a wonderful
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salve to read in and around the turbulent election and uncertain aftermath. It was originally written during the Vietnam war and it remains relevant and helpful today. Highly recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member -Cee-
This is a nicely formatted gift edition. It is definitely a gift to me having won it as a early reviewer's book. The small size is handy. Thich Nhat Hanh's artistic calligraphy enhances each chapter and there are photos included too.
Of course, it's the calming and thoughtful introduction to
Of course, it's the calming and thoughtful introduction to
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mindfulness that makes it all so special. Having read it through just once, I feel the need to read it many times more. This little book is packed. If meditation and mindfulness are of interest to you, this is a great place to start. Show Less
LibraryThing member willszal
Practical book with some great meditations. Zen Buddhism.
LibraryThing member Randy_Landes
I have read several books and have been to several conferences on mindfulness. I am no more than a novice on the subject, but I have been exposed to it a lot in the field of mental health. The Miracle of Mindfulness is my new preferred read on the subject matter of mindfulness. It does a wonderful
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job of taking a beginner through the basic concepts of the topic. Thich Nhat Hanh’s comments on subjective/objective, seed/fruit, and contemplation on interdependence was new to me and his words could not be spoken clearer on these matters. The book was a complete presentation on the basics of mindfulness from instruction to practice. I enjoyed so many of the practical examples which helped to illustrate the points that were being taught. It was an easy read, but if you want to get anything out of it take your time, because there is so much information packed into this tiny package. I was slightly disappointed in the brief 11 page chronology of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Life. I wanted to know so much more about Thich Nhat Hanh the person and how Americans involvement in Vietnam impacted the Vietnamese people, but as the subtitle states this is “An Introduction to the Practice of Mediation”, not the biography of Thich Nhat Hanh. It did inspire me to want to no more about his life and his impact on those that have been inspired to find peace through mindfulness. This is a must read for anybody who has a curiosity for and wants to gain insight as to what this thing called “Mindfulness” is really all about. Show Less
LibraryThing member RajivC
This book is a little gem, and I would be surprised if there is anyone who would give it less than a five star rating. I have encouraged many people, over the years, to read this book.
It is extremely approachable. The principles are indeed easy to read, but require practice to follow.
The way to
The principles, if followed, will transform your world.
Buy it. Read it. Meditate upon it. Practise it.
It is extremely approachable. The principles are indeed easy to read, but require practice to follow.
The way to
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read the book, is to read one chapter a day. Or even, every few days. Once you read a chapter, you must contemplate what has been written, and then breathe deep. The principles, if followed, will transform your world.
Buy it. Read it. Meditate upon it. Practise it.
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LibraryThing member seidchen
This new gift edition is very nice indeed, pairing these teachings with practical meditation exercises, classic texts, and calligraphy and photos as well. Although some suggestions translate better into busy lives than others (I'm not sure how anyone with young children could possibly dedicate an
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entire day per week to mindfulness practice, for example), there is much in here to recommend it to a wide audience. Show Less
Subjects
Call number
B > Buddhism
Collection
Language
Original language
Vietnamese
Original publication date
1975
Physical description
140 p.; 8 inches
ISBN
0807012017 / 9780807012017
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The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation by Thich Nhat Hanh