Customer Reviews

Happiness: Essential Mindfulness Practices

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Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh has been a prolific writer. Most books on Buddhism appeal more to the intellect or to the emotions than this one. HAPPINESS is a slim volume crammed with practical daily exercises on mindfulness, lovingkindness, and awareness. This book can be used by anyone, Buddhist and non-Buddhist alike, and it does not matter if you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner.

This book suggests simple, easily adaptable exercises on such primary actions as breathing, sitting, walking. awakening, eating and drinking, resting, and moving around. Exercises on such other mundane daily activities as using the telephone, coping with irritation and anger, cooking, traveling, and dealing with significant others, co-workers and strangers round out this book.

Zen is at its most effective when the practitioner brings the practice out of the Zendo and into the outside world. HAPPINESS is a concise, intelligent and easy-to-use guide on how to do that.

I've read a few :-) "Tay's" writing always speaks to my experiences in the most gentle yet reassuring manner. This book was to be savored. Passages read were digested with time and further thought. Each time I picked up the book again, I'd find myself smiling. (This result is clearly evident when one hasn't smiled for a long time!)

What I love most about this book is finding philosophy laced with practical approaches to routine daily living. A lot of emphasis in living in the "present moment." For a long time, even the "present moment" concept was difficult for me to grasp, to truly comprehend the meaning, the experience. Thich Nhat Hanh clarified the idea of past, present, future in a way I had not understood before reading this book.

This book is a wonderful gift - from "Tay," for you, and for someone you love.

A great way to remind ourselves of what is important in life. Many of these chapters are taken from previous works by Thay, but nonetheless, it is helpful to go through the process of being centered and aware of how wonderful the present moment is.

Thich Nhat Hanh takes simple teachings to teach us the most profound wisdom. Every time I have the privilege of receiving his teaching I am overwhelmed by his ability as a true Zen master. He takes the simplest, most basic components of life and uses them to liberate us from suffering.

I am a long time reader of Thich Nhat Hanh and have been meditating for 25 years. Thay (which means "teacher" in Vietnamese) has such a gentle way of describing the mindfulness practice that anyone can follow his teachings quite easily. This book, "Happiness" reminds us that we can learn to live in the present moment and develop a sense of peace in our lives. This is the only book that collects all practices by Thay. The chapters include daily practices, eating practices, physical practices, relationship and community practices, extended practices (solitude, silence, lazy day, listening to a dharma talk, etc.) and practicing with children. This book is a worthwhile read for new practitioners of Buddhist meditation or experienced practitioners alike. I love one of the quotes in the book, "The seed of mindfulness is in each of us, but we usually forget to water it" (Thich Nhat Hanh)-so true!! :-)). I love all of Thay's book and this book in particular is very easy to read and follow. Enjoy every moment!

I've studied Buddhism for a while and have read a fair amount about it (and I realize that that and $2.00 will get me a cup of coffee at most places). Thich Nhat Hanh's books cover the theory of Buddhism but he writes more from the standpoint of how to live your life in accord with its precepts (as well as that of most, if not all, major religions aside from the fundamentalist sects). His writing is good, clear, and simple. I like it. I'd order this book again.

I really liked this book a lot. It is more or less a step by step guide to happiness that actually works. I liked how he teaches how to remain happy without even trying and how he compares it to walking, sitting, and sleeping. This book helped me a lot and I am happier than I have been in a while. Another book that helped me a lot is The Suited Monk: A guide to life purpose and happiness. This book will show you how to get the satisfaction out of life and explains how it your happiness can bring good things in to your life.

These are both excellent books. The only problem was it took the USPS two and a half weeks to transport a 3 book box from Vegas to Montana. I was under the impression it would go via UPS even to my PO box.