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Dec 17, 2009

Anita rated it:

Even though some references are a little dated (Cold War), this book is entirely relevant now: in order to achieve peace, we each have to become peaceful. We can't wait for peace to happen, we must live it.

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May 02, 2007

Heather rated it:

This book is simply beautiful. If you've never read any of Tich Nhat Hanh's work I highly recommend it. A Vietnamese Buddhist monk living in France his words are moving and insightful without being preachy or full of indoctrinated messages about how Buddhism is the right path for all. What I admire about his writing and his person is that he's not afraid to admit that he experiences anger and the myriad of other human emotions that fill our lives and make it difficult for us to find a peacefu More...

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Feb 25, 2009

K rated it:

I think I've read most of what's in here in his other books.
It sounds awfully familiar.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 27, 2011

Holly rated it:

What a beautiful, quiet, insightful and enlightening book. As soon as I finished this book I wanted to read it again immediately. I got so much out of it the first time through, and I have a feeling I will get more out of every re-read.

I haven't read much about Buddhism, so I didn't start this book with a lot of preconceived notions or expectations. However, I did read this book in the middle of taking an extended yoga workshop, and reading about meditation really helped my yoga More...

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Nov 10, 2010

Michael rated it:

This book was recommended by a 'fellow photographer' friend named Beth Lambert of CANADA. It's an EXCELLENT read for any one. I also introduced it to a young man in France (who was still 'finding himself'--Frederic Deltour) and he often tells me that the book changed/improved his LIFE.

This is the perfect book for MINDFULNESS TRAINING--something we ALL need from time to time. ;)

Words that impacted me in this book:

If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can blossom More...

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Sep 07, 2008

Karen rated it:

A great book! It's a collection of Thich Nhat Hanh's lectures that he gave to peaceworkers and meditation students during his tour of Buddhist centers in 1985. Among many things, he talks about walking meditation, sitting meditation, how our environment affects us and the manner in which we handle situations affects not only us, but those around us. Definitely a book that should be read several times throughout a lifetime...and should be given as a gift to others.

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Dec 28, 2011

Kevin rated it:

Not as much of a favorite as Mindfulness in Plain English or Full Catastrophe Living, but still very good (and no doubt this is the direction those other books would take if they hadn't been so Westernized). This book is more what I would describe as an introduction to radical Buddhism. I agree with a lot of what Hanh says in terms of making mindfulness and loving compassion part of a daily practice that's not confined to a meditation space, and also what he says about the interconnectedness of More...

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Dec 16, 2009

Mary rated it:

This book, recommended by my then therapist, skewed my vision for the better. Instead of seeing black & white, I started seeing and understanding all the shades of grey. The Middle Way. A little hokey, but whatever, it works if you want it to.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Sep 17, 2007

Lorraine rated it:

Multiple amazing bodhissatvas for daily life. Insights into how to be a better person through breathing, mantras, and re-formulating your mind to see more positive things in the world around you.

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Aug 20, 2008

KristenR rated it:

This is a beautifully written book about the practice of Buddhism and meditation in every day life, particularly in the cultivation of peace.

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Aug 11, 2010

Roxanne rated it:

I've been reading this at bedtime for a few weeks now, just a few pages at a time, and I really love it--Thich Nhat Hanh is wonderful bedtime reading, he's so calming and gentle.

This book is similar in a lot of ways to Peace is Every Step--in fact, there are some passages that are almost identical. I don't think this is a bad thing. Everything that Nhat Hanh says in either book is worth reading again and again, and I didn't get bored. There were also a lot of new things in this More...

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Feb 02, 2012

Amy rated it:

I have read this book several times. It is like a good friend that I visit when I feel like I need some wisdom and advice and each time I get something different from it. Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings on Mindfulness are simple and straight forward, but honest and true. I love his perspective on Buddhism, Mindfulness and life in general. He is a Vietnamese monk who was exiled from Vietnam because of his anti-war beliefs and influence during the war. I have been to retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh and c More...

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May 14, 2011

Chris rated it:

Being Peace is an excellent introduction to Buddhism and its capacity to promote peace and address social injustice. Thich Nhat Hanh's writing is very accessible and the stories he tells show the transformational power of practicing Buddhism. The concept of "non-duality," being able to examine different perspectives to understand and resolve conflicts, really resonated with me, but I find it difficult to agree with the idea that one should use this approach with an oppressor - especial More...

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Feb 15, 2009

Julia rated it:

Hmm. It's funny to only give three stars to a book by someone who I think deserves 5+ stars for his actual work in the world...but I think I like Pema Chodron better, at least for easily accessible writings about embodying Buddhist ideals out in the messy real world. It's not that this wasn't easy to read--it was--but felt a little toooooo easy at points. Like, if you've never read anything about engaged Buddhism, here's a good starting point. I still found it a thoughtful and warm review/introd More...

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

Jan 25, 2009

Karena rated it:

Simply put, "let peace begin with me" and "let me begin with peace." I always find Thitch Nhat Hanh's writings to be simple, inspiring and refreshing. His messages are so powerful that they stay with me, and I find myself coming back to them or realizing them in my daily life. While he often references Buddhist teachings, his writings are about life, about love, about understanding. The teachings and stories transcend Buddhism and offer simple ways that everyone in the world More...

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Jul 22, 2011

David rated it:

This was my first introduction to the writings of a man that MLK nominated for the
Nobel Peace Prize. The venerable monk, who has been banned from returning to his homeland of Vietnam due to his peaceful activism during the war, is possibly the greatest living person today. His writings inspire millions of people around the world and his retreats, lectures, and guided meditation walks help countless individuals to find their spiritual connection between one another. Thich Nhat Hanh has fo More...

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Oct 26, 2011

Joanna rated it:

The more we see, the more we understand. The more we understand, the easier it is for us to have compassion and love. Understanding is the source of love. Understanding is love itself. p.107

This book is incredibly inspiring and insightful. Thich Nhat Hanh writes in a simple and beautiful way and introduces us the teachings of Buddhism and how to use these teachings and guidelines in our daily lives. He educates us on how to be more peaceful and work for peace in order to make our soc More...

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Sep 29, 2008

Sarah rated it:

I recently read the book 'Being Peace' by Thich Nhat Hanh. I found the book captivating and compelling. Thich Nhat Hanh is a Buddhist monk and a peace activist. His words in this book were inspiring. Being Peace is a book that shows average people how they can achieve peace in their lives. I enjoyed this book for many reasons, while this brilliant man gave you steps on how to find your inner peace he told you about his life, which i found intriguing.
Thich Nhat Hanh showed me that no matt More...

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Feb 21, 2008

Gloria rated it:

If you are a burned out activist, this is a book you will need to purchase. It is a short read, but the messages may take a lifetime to process and understand fully. In this book, unlike many of his other books, Thich Nhat Hanh offers more concrete ways of approaching world problems from a perspective of peace. He is more direct in pointing out our learning tasks to be truly effective as activists. Even as I was reading, I kept thinking, "Oh, I'll need to read this again and again for t More...

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Jan 15, 2008

Amy rated it:

thich nhat hanh is my new crush. this is a man who lives in exile from his native country (vietnam), who has spent his life helping victims of the vietnam war as well as refugees from other wars, someone who could easily be ... harsh. justifiably harsh. and yet instead he says, "if we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can smile, and everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace."

this particular book is sprinkled with whimsical drawings, lovely poem More...

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Jan 14, 2012

Diana rated it:

Good introduction into Buddhism teachings about peace beginning with each one of us and our own thoughts and actions; mindfulness, i.e., living in the present moment and meditation. This is not a technique book. The author speaks in a gentle and compassionate style and encourages us to be gentle and compassionate first towards ourselves and then towards all living beings. The book is well written, easy to understand, and a good introduction to Buddhist principles. I highly recommend this boo More...

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Jun 25, 2009

Billy rated it:

Thich Nhat Hanh writes very beautifully and simply. Years ago I would have been repelled by the relentless positivity, but after reading grittier Buddhists like Chödrön, Chögyam Trungpa and Jarvis Jay Masters (who is on death row now, see http://www.freejarvis.org/), I have come to appreciate Thich Nhat Hanh. His collection, Essential Writings is what I read first and is an excellent introduction to his work. Thich Nhat Hanh has worked tirelessly with love for human rights. He is truly a beautif More...

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Jan 14, 2011

Kimberly rated it:

If you practice awareness, you suddenly become very rich, very very happy. Practicing Buddhism is a clever way to enjoy life. happiness is available. please help yourself to it.
p40

in Buddhism, knowledge is regarded as an obstacle to understanding, like a block of ice that obstructs water from flowing. It is said that if we take one thing to be the truth and cling to it, even if truth itself comes in person and knocks at our door, we won't open it.
p48

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Aug 03, 2010

Bassemah rated it:

It's so beautifully written, as if he were sitting with a group of intrigued children. His language is so clear of clutter and pretentiousness while the content is clearly informed. I found myself feeling something like a child, and observing like a child.

An easy read that reminded me how fulfilling it is to remove biased lenses and look with love and compassion and the genuine curiosity of a child.

1 comment like

Jul 27, 2010

Sarah rated it:

Those familiar with meditation and Buddhism may not find anything that's exceptionally revolutionary to them here but considering that this book is over twenty years old, much of what's studied and read today has certainly been influenced by it. A short book and a great introduction to Eastern concepts of non-dualism, mindfulness, compassion, and perpetuating peace only by cultivating it from within. Five stars simply for being an important work by an important man.

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Apr 15, 2009

Laurie rated it:

I recommend it on my top-ten list of Peace resources. In order to achieve peace, we must be peace. This simple truth is the theme of this inspiring collection of lectures, given by Buddhist monk, scholar, poet and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh. If we are to change the world, he explains, we need to begin with ourselves, and awaken that eternal part of us where true peace resides - our own Buddha nature.

His straight forward writing style helps a person to realise how easy this awak More...

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Sep 01, 2008

Emma rated it:

The first chapter was interesting, then it only went downhill for me. I have never been a nonfiction reader so that may be the reason that i disliked it. But to me it got quite boring by chapter 3. The author failed to make you excited about his writing. Every chapter seemed to be the same basic shell with a different lesson plugged in. It seemed to me that he used a lot of stereotypical phrases in the book (i.e. be one with _____, or understanding is love and love is understanding). Then he wou More...

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Aug 18, 2010

Jo rated it:

This is a sublime little book-- quintessential, memorable Thich Nhat Hahn, the venerable Vietnamese Buddhist teacher who was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King, Jr. The basic idea: if you want to live in a world of peace, be peace. Simple, profound.

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Dec 29, 2009

K rated it:

An insightful and reassuring exposition on how anger, hatred and guilt can be resolved. Thich Nhat Hanh survived the Viet Nam war, and he knows about suffering and despair first hand. Compares Buddhism and Christianity with an eye to accepting both.

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Feb 22, 2011

Stacey rated it:

Some nice little gems in this book. For example, even though it may just be because I'm reaching 30 and don't have kids yet, I especially liked the part about smiling for your future baby.

"Please don't wait until the doctors tell you that you are going to have a baby to begin to take care of it. It is already there. Whatever you are, whatever you do, your baby will get it. Anything you eat, any worries that are on your mind will be for him or her. Can you tell me that you cannot More...

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