Breathe, You Are Alive: The Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing [Paperback]

Thich Nhat Hanh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 28, 2008

According to the Buddha’s teaching in the Anapanasati Sutra, maintaining awareness of our breathing is a means of awakening to the true nature of all things and arriving at spiritual liberation. Breathe, You Are Alive outlines 16 exercises of conscious breathing that were taught by the Buddha, together with commentaries and further exercises for practicing them every day and in any situation. Thich Nhat Hanh’s insights and explanation give the reader access to the profound nurturance available when we slow down and get in touch with our in-breath and out-breath. He walks the reader through the progression of exercises — from awareness of the physical plane, to the mental and spiritual planes — in a clear and concise manner that is easy to implement. This 20th anniversary edition includes updated commentaries and practices on the awareness of breathing meditation, as well as the author's "Breathing and Walking" Gatha (practice verse) set to music.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Parallax Press; 20th anniversary edition (July 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888375841
• ISBN-13: 978-1888375848
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #86,160 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thich Nhat Hanh is a Vietnamese monk, a renowned Zen master, a poet, and a peace activist. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize by Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1967, and is the author of many books, including the best-selling The Miracle of Mindfulness.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathe, You are Alive, August 25, 2009

By 

J. Zukav "Intuition Teacher" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Breathe, You Are Alive: The Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing (Paperback)

This is a seminal book in my collection of inspirational and instructional books on meditation and mindfulness. Though I had been meditating for years when I first opened this book, I had not yet made the connection between being mindful breath and meditation. This book introduced me to a level of stillness and awareness that I had not encountered before in my practice. Thich Nhat Hanh's gentle spirit and voice comes through his writing and can melt even the most anxious mind. I have a large collection of his books and savor every word of every one. I see that he has a new book coming out. I will be ordering that one too.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breath Practice brings great benefit, November 17, 2009

By 

C. Bush "Pure Cultivation" (Bonlee, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Breathe, You Are Alive: The Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing (Paperback)

Thich Nhat Hanh provides the entirety of the Dharma within the practice of following the breath. I previously thought of this practice as a way to calm my mind so I can then begin some other meditative work. I see now that following the breath can take me to the entirety of the Dharma. I highly recommend this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic way of living, January 16, 2011

By 

dbishop - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Breathe, You Are Alive: The Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing (Paperback)

We are so lucky that Thich Nhat Hanh's books and thoughts are still alive! We are so fortunate to be able to benefit from this in the times that we live in today.