Customer Reviews

Be Free Where You Are

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
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this book has truly been a lifesaver for me. it's small enough to throw in my backpack and i read it often while riding the subway in the morning. it's a wonderful transcription of a talk thich nhat hanh gave to prisoners... it has reminded me that i can be free of my own self-imposed "prison" of anxiety. in a time of such uncertainty, we all could use a little reminder to breathe and savor the moments we're given.

i know that i have benefited tremendously from this little volume. i hope that in reading it, you will enjoy a simple, yet profound deep breath and savor the present moment as well.

"Be Free Where You Are," by Thich Nhat Hanh, is a short book. In a foreword, Sister Chan Khong notes that what follows is a transcription of a talk that the author gave to inmates at the Maryland Correctional Institute at Hagerstown on 16 Oct. 1999. The text also contains a question-and-answer session and an appendix with comments by a few attendees of the talk.

In this book Thich Nhat Hanh talks about "the energy of mindfulness," meditation, his life as a Buddhist monk, the Three Jewels of the Buddhist tradition, his own poetry, and related topics. His words are tender, kind, and peaceful, and at times gently poetic. Recommended for readers of any religious or spiritual background, but especially for those with an interest in Buddhism.

A compendium of his core teachings, Be Free Where You Are is a transcription of a talk by Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh given at the Maryland Correctional Institution at Hagerstown. Hanh reveals how the Buddhist approach to "mindfulness practice" can cultivate freedom no matter what the outer circumstances might be. This wonderful 71-page collection of observations, advice, and answers to questions is a welcome and highly recommended addition to Buddhist Studies reading lists and reference collections.

A exceptional book that encapsulates simple practices that are explained succinctly & beautifully. This book can help anyone (of any faith) to acheive happiness & peace. Whatever your situation this book is a touchstone for connecting with a LIFESPRING within & around you. A practical book that's a meditation in itself. The powerful techniques outlined can be practiced anywhere to plug into joy. Plus, it's short and takes you "there" consistently, quickly & easily.

I have been a fan of Thich Naht Hanh for quite some time and where some books I find don't get to the core of what I like to practice, I find this one really shows that you find peace even if you are locked up in a cell. It shows that even those who were once lost and now are paying for the crimes they commit can overcome them while finding peace in their heart. This peace can be spread to others over time when you find that peace yourself. This was a really touching book, knowing that it was said to many prisoners gives the titles a whole new deeper meaning. Be free where you are.

The other reviews say it well already, so I'll just add that this simple, small book has moreimpact per ounce than any other I've read. It was a gift from a dear friend and introduced me to Buddhist thought. Now I'm the one giving it to friends.

Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us of our personal power to be at peace... be free... wherever we are... physically, emotionally, mentally. This perfectly sized book easily fits into a pocket... and by randomly opening it, lovely insights and encouragements are offered. With mindful walking, breathing, eating, smiling... the world becomes more than manageable... it becomes beautiful... and this inner light is quite contageous. Buy two of these books.... one to keep and one to give as a gift of love.

Learning to step out of our habitual world of conditioned reactivity is the heart of the Buddha's path of mindfulness. As we let go of the conditioned, we enter the world of inner freedom that is beyond the limited content of mind. To learn more, I also recommend 'The Path of Mindfulness Meditation' available through Amazon.

I originally bought this book as a gift for someone who had lost her husband. My meditation group at work has now read through the book twice together. This is very useful if you are going through a difficult time or just want to do some mindfulness meditation and want to learn how to incorporate the practice into your life. The size of the book allows you to take it anywhere and it makes a great gift.

this little lesson is great for how to apply some basics and overcome that "stuck" feeling in life. freedom from the inside out....the greatest prison is in your own mind get free from there and all else follows.... forever.....