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Together We Are One: Honoring Our Diversity, Celebrating Our Connection
Based on four retreats that Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh led specifically for people of color, this book is for people of all colors, backgrounds, and experiences who have ever felt excluded or alienated, or anyone concerned with issues of social justice. Although Together We Are One is based on teachings given to Buddhist practitioners of color, readers of all backgrounds and walks of life will find it an inspirational and practical guide.
In chapters focusing on honoring our ancestors, developing understanding and compassion, and seeing the world in terms of interbeing, Nhat Hanh shows how meditation and the practice of looking deeply can help create a sense of wholeness and connectedness with others. Chapters are interspersed with mindfulness practice exercises and the personal stories of skilled writers, such as Larry Ward (author of Love’s Garden ), Sr. Chan Khong (author of Learning True Love ), and Rev. Hilda Ryumon Gutierrez Baldoquin (editor of Dharma Color and Culture ), about their discovery of a spiritual path, their experience of finding balance, overcoming obstacles in an unpredictable world, and maintaining and sharing insights. Together We Are One is a valuable addition to the unique expression of Buddhism in the West.
As in all his writings, Thich Nhat Hanh does not suggest we replace traditional beliefs and customs with Buddhism, but rather emphasizes that a mindful approach to daily life and interactions can help overcome misperception and separation so that we might honor and transcend our differences. Nhat Hanh’s primary focus highlights the basic how-to’s of Buddhist practice, such as mindful walking and eating, the practice of Looking Deeply, and a never before published multicultural version of the Touching the Earth Ceremony, making them accessible possibilities for a better everyday life. A companion movie to the book, featuring Thich Nhat Hanh's retreat, can be found at www.colorsofcompassionmovie.com
In chapters focusing on honoring our ancestors, developing understanding and compassion, and seeing the world in terms of interbeing, Nhat Hanh shows how meditation and the practice of looking deeply can help create a sense of wholeness and connectedness with others. Chapters are interspersed with mindfulness practice exercises and the personal stories of skilled writers, such as Larry Ward (author of Love’s Garden ), Sr. Chan Khong (author of Learning True Love ), and Rev. Hilda Ryumon Gutierrez Baldoquin (editor of Dharma Color and Culture ), about their discovery of a spiritual path, their experience of finding balance, overcoming obstacles in an unpredictable world, and maintaining and sharing insights. Together We Are One is a valuable addition to the unique expression of Buddhism in the West.
As in all his writings, Thich Nhat Hanh does not suggest we replace traditional beliefs and customs with Buddhism, but rather emphasizes that a mindful approach to daily life and interactions can help overcome misperception and separation so that we might honor and transcend our differences. Nhat Hanh’s primary focus highlights the basic how-to’s of Buddhist practice, such as mindful walking and eating, the practice of Looking Deeply, and a never before published multicultural version of the Touching the Earth Ceremony, making them accessible possibilities for a better everyday life. A companion movie to the book, featuring Thich Nhat Hanh's retreat, can be found at www.colorsofcompassionmovie.com
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2010
38 people are currently reading
297 people want to read
About the author
Thich Nhat Hanh
973 books12.8k followersThích Nhất Hạnh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist who then lived in southwest France where he was in exile for many years. Born Nguyễn Xuân Bảo, Thích Nhất Hạnh joined a Zen (Vietnamese: Thiền) monastery at the age of 16, and studied Buddhism as a novitiate. Upon his ordination as a monk in 1949, he assumed the Dharma name Thích Nhất Hạnh. Thích is an honorary family name used by all Vietnamese monks and nuns, meaning that they are part of the Shakya (Shakyamuni Buddha) clan. He was often considered the most influential living figure in the lineage of Lâm Tế (Vietnamese Rinzai) Thiền, and perhaps also in Zen Buddhism as a whole.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 2, 2011
Such a peaceful book. I was transported to my happy place everytime I picked it up. I liked the "Your True Home," "Your True Name," "Colors of Compassion" and "Mindfulness Training" sections the best.
Up until the end, with talks about becoming a Buddha, it was actually really engaging me and interesting me in Buddhism. I've read factual and scholarly books on Buddhism and could never really give the faith a fair try. This view of Buddhism really goes with my inner feelings. Especially the section mindfulness, with the 5 practices being:
1. Nonviolence, non-encouraging war, doing little things to encourage peace.
2. Generiousity, non-greed, sharing, helping others
3. Loving sexual conduct. Having intimate relations based on love and not on lust, understanding that emotions and physical interactions are inherently tied together.
4. Listening, non-interrupting, being there for others
5. Nourishing yourself with the right foods, exercise, conversations, and media. Avoiding toxic magazines, tv programs, foods, alcohol, gambling, and conversations.
I loved that. If you asked me to guess the 5 big things to do in mindfulness, I probably would have guessed 1, 2, and 4. 3 was a complete surprise, but I've always believed in it. 5 is something I love. It's a concept I've started to realize a few years ago, and each year I work harder at appreciating it. Out of the 5, I try very hard at 1, 2, 3 and 5. I fail very terribly at number 4. But I know that.
It was a great book. It was a book aimed at "Buddhists of Color," which I'm not. I didn't know that when I bought the book. But, it was still enjoyable to a Scottish girl like me. I mean, if together we are all one, and if the message of seeing past color is really true, then the larger messages in the book applies to us all. And I'm really glad I read it.
Up until the end, with talks about becoming a Buddha, it was actually really engaging me and interesting me in Buddhism. I've read factual and scholarly books on Buddhism and could never really give the faith a fair try. This view of Buddhism really goes with my inner feelings. Especially the section mindfulness, with the 5 practices being:
1. Nonviolence, non-encouraging war, doing little things to encourage peace.
2. Generiousity, non-greed, sharing, helping others
3. Loving sexual conduct. Having intimate relations based on love and not on lust, understanding that emotions and physical interactions are inherently tied together.
4. Listening, non-interrupting, being there for others
5. Nourishing yourself with the right foods, exercise, conversations, and media. Avoiding toxic magazines, tv programs, foods, alcohol, gambling, and conversations.
I loved that. If you asked me to guess the 5 big things to do in mindfulness, I probably would have guessed 1, 2, and 4. 3 was a complete surprise, but I've always believed in it. 5 is something I love. It's a concept I've started to realize a few years ago, and each year I work harder at appreciating it. Out of the 5, I try very hard at 1, 2, 3 and 5. I fail very terribly at number 4. But I know that.
It was a great book. It was a book aimed at "Buddhists of Color," which I'm not. I didn't know that when I bought the book. But, it was still enjoyable to a Scottish girl like me. I mean, if together we are all one, and if the message of seeing past color is really true, then the larger messages in the book applies to us all. And I'm really glad I read it.
September 8, 2023
In this book, Nhat Hanh, with comments and chapters by a few others, brings concepts from Mahayana Buddhism and interbeing to the ideas of DEI. Reading this book was timely for me given the increasing focus on DEI in both training and clinical work. As always, Nhat Hanh does a lovely job of cutting to the heart of our need for respect and compassion for one another and ourselves. Some of the book focuses on Sangha writ large rather than DEI specifically, but that felt sufficiently relevant that it did not interfere with the message of the book. I did feel that Nhat Hanh’s use of the word “complex” through a couple of chapters felt like the wrong translation for the concept he was conveying. Unhelpful beliefs would have been my preference, and I tried to substitute that in my mind. The other authors were a bit of a mixed bag. None had the clarity of Nhat Hanh, and some downright felt shoe horned into the book. I would have preferred just Nhat Hanh’s writings given that he is the one listed as the author.
April 6, 2019
Great book which made me pause at times and just reflect upon what I've just read, and pen down my thoughts. Had lots of relevations with my life thus far, like how there have been many chances placed for me since young to learn about accepting, interacting, loving others of a different race from me, despite my parents' ignorance. I'm glad that I've had a chance to practise what Thay wrote about in this book since I was a kid - looking beyond just a person's skin colour. It also made me understand on a deeper level the reasons behind people's reactions and my own in some of my relationships. A must read!
June 16, 2022
I loved this book so much. Reading it felt like I was sitting down with Thay, having a conversation with him. It has brought me so much peace and joy to read, I could not recommend it more!!
August 10, 2011
I love just about everything written by Thich Nhat Hanh, and this is no exception.
My favorite passage:
"Every moment of your daily life can be a moment of celebrating life; it depends on you. You have the talent to organize things so that life becomes a festival."
I hope those words stay with me for a long, long time.
My favorite passage:
"Every moment of your daily life can be a moment of celebrating life; it depends on you. You have the talent to organize things so that life becomes a festival."
I hope those words stay with me for a long, long time.
February 3, 2013
A tremendously fine volume originating from Plum Village people of color retreats, the work shares voices from those retreats and invites readers into mindfully undoing racism and its effects in our lives in order to live fully and compassionately.
August 16, 2012
Pretty standard stuff from Thich Nhat Hanh. Nothing new here, except some commentary from attendees at his retreat. Those just rendered the book too hippie for me.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews