Present Moment Wonderful Moment: Mindfulness Verses for Daily Living [Paperback]

Thich Nhat Hanh (Author), Mayumi Oda (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 29, 2006

Developed during a summer retreat at Plum Village, Thich Nhat Hanh's meditation center, these charming short verses were collected to help children and adults practice mindfulness throughout the day. The verses, or gathas, are designed to make everyday activities — such as washing the dishes, driving the car, or turning on the television — opportunities to return to a state of mindfulness. As exercises in both meditation and poetry, gathas are very much in keeping with the Zen tradition: the gatha helps readers become attuned to each action, and at its conclusion, even the most mundane activity is imbued with heightened awareness. Reciting these poetic yet practical verses helps readers slow down and savor every moment. Nhat Hanh’s warm, thoughtful commentary provides insight and inspiration.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Vietnamese --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Zen master, poet, and peace activist, has been a monk for over sixty years. In Vietnam, he founded the School of Youth for Social Service, whose students rebuilt villages that were destroyed by bombs and resettled tens of thousands of people fleeing the war zones. He also founded Van Hanh Buddhist University, La Boi Press, and the Tiep Hien Order of Interbeing. In 1966, he came to the U.S. and Europe at the invitation of the Fellowship of Reconciliation to "represent the wishes of the Vietnamese people of all faiths who had no means to speak for themselves" (New Yorker, June 25, 1966). He was nominated by Martin Luther King, Jr. for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967. Unable to return to Vietnam after his overseas speaking tour, he received asylum in France where he served as chairman of the Vietnamese Buddhist Peace Delegation to the Paris Peace Talks. He lives in Plum Village, a monastery and practice center in France, where he continues teaching, writing, gardening, and helping refugees worldwide. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Parallax Press; 2nd edition (December 29, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888375612
• ISBN-13: 978-1888375619
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.4 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #335,886 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.

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A practical link between thoughts and actions... January 24, 2001

By Darren Bush

Format:Paperback

Ever sit down in a chair, grab a big bowl of popcorn and watch a movie? Ever notice too late that you're full, but you didn't realize it and now your stomach hurts? Such are the consequences of mindless eating. It's hard on the furniture, isn't it? You feel rotten for being a glutton. You feel sick from the popcorn. It sucks.

Sure, we've all done it. What this wonderful book strives to teach us is that mindful activities are meaningful activities, that eating without thinking is harmful to the body *and* the spirit. Indeed, any activity can become a meditation - walking, bathing, washing dishes, cleaning the bathroom (!). And it all starts with breathing, and thinking about breathing. If you drive in traffic, get this book and road rage will be a thing of the past.

The art in this book is fitting - simple sketches and paintings of simple things. That is fitting and fits the message - nothing is mundane if done thoughtfully.

Please, don't be afraid of this book. This is not weird New Age stuff that promises happiness in twelve chapters. Waking up is non-sectarian. It is also very, very difficult. And you will wax and wane and have good days and rotten days, but overall, you'll be more mindful of what you do, when you do it, and its effect on the rest of the world.

Present Moment, Wonderful Moment is a practical manual, a small but powerful guide to mindful living. It is one of my ten favorite books, and I have high standards.

P.S. If you like this, you'd probably like Being Peace, another great book.

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Present Book Wonderful Book! May 23, 2001

By Missing in Action VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Thich Nhat Hanh is simply one of the easiest, most gentle authors on the practical application of eastern thought available today. Present Moment, Wonderful Moment is a delight to read. It is a collection of useful verses to keep us mindful throughout the day, recognizing how easy it is to lose sight of the present moment when the crash of life clamors about us constantly. Thich Nhat Hanh uses the technique of memorizing "gathas" for the purpose of focusing the mind on the thing you are doing now rather than on whatever other chatter is going on in the mind. Further, with each verse there is anywhere from a paragraph to a few pages of commentary that give the reader not only insight into the application of the verse, but also insight into the mind and soul of Thich Nhat Hanh. The result is inspirational, soothing, and useful. Of particular importance is the fact that the author, while a monk, is not in the least unaware of the realities of modern life, and included in his verses are ones for talking on the phone, turning on the television, and turning on an electric light. Those not familiar with mindfulness practice might wonder at the insignificance of those daily, mundane experiences, but Thich Nhat Hanh helps us to recognize that there is life "spent" in each of those (and countless other) little activities, and without recognizing that life mindfully, it is life wasted. This man has a simple message...live life fully, abundantly, happily and peacefully, with full awareness of that life as you experience it in the moment. This is a book you will refer to often as you practice mindfulness.

36 of 40 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Great if you are already practicing August 21, 2001

By Moten Swing

Format:Paperback

These gathas/short poems are interesting and helpful for those who already practice meditation, but may seem skimpy and repetitive to those not already trying to pursue mindfulness.

Don't get this book if you are looking for an introduction to Buddhist thought--get it if you are looking for daily techniques to improve your appreciation of the miracle of daily life.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars PRESENT MOMENT WONDERFUL MOMENT June 26, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This book is about THE REST OF YOUR LIFE BEING THE BEST OF YOUR LIFE AND THE BEST OF YOUR LIFE BEING THE REST OF YOUR LIFE... Learn how to be in the moment and enjoy the here and now instead of letting your mind race through to the future or slow down to the palsy of the past. More than that, learn to value and cherish each moment of each day and to create awareness of every little thing that is part of your world. "Gathas are short verses which we can recite during our daily activities to help us dwell in mindfulness." Enjoy every "gatha" given in this book, as they help you open your eyes to the real truth and beauty of each little moment we live.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Short and sweet -- if you don't mind getting creative! February 11, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

For a graduate school class on meditative practices, I used this book for an experiment. I took the verses and memorized many, and changed the rest to suit my particular situations. I made up new verses -- in the same style -- to complement situations not described in the book. I found this to be an effective way to minimize my daily stress. As just a book for your nightstand, this one will probably not be useful or very interesting. But for someone with stress or anxiety, or someone just interested in Eastern religions, it may be invaluable. Such a collection is certainly not easy to find, and the writing is clear and unambiguous.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Essence of Zen in 49 Gathas March 24, 2010

By cvairag VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I was reading the Shobogenzo this morning, Dogen, the part where he talks about what he termed "everyday mind" and I was reminded again of what a magnificent explainer of the Dharma is Thich Nhat Hanh - for what is everyday mind? In Dogen's storied words: "Everyday mind" means to maintain an everday mind in this world or in any world. Yesterday goes forth from this moment, and today comes forth from this place. With going the boundless sky goes, with coming the entire earth comes. This is everyday mind. Everday mind opens the gate of the inner chamber. . . Even though you don't know it, if you arose the thought of enlightenment, you will move foward on the way of enlightenment. The moment is already here. . . Nhat Hahn: Enlightenment is found only in the Present Moment. The past is gone. The future is not yet here. We have an appointment with life. Do not miss it. It is in the present moment. This is "sudden enlightenment". When you are mindful in the present moment, you are enlightened. You do not have to meditate for twenty years. See those tailights blinking in traffic? Smile and rest assured. You've succeeded. Those are the Buddha's pure Dharma Eyes blinking. Present Moment, Wonderful Moment.
I still turn to my beat up, watermarked copy of this book, the green one with the white window. I'm sure the same words are inside this more recent edition. Present Moment, Wonderful Moment. Good advice. With the first taste, promise to offer joy. Right view.