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Present Moment Wonderful Moment: Mindfulness Verses for Daily Living

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

It's bizarre that Yoda the Jedi master actually spouted some basic Buddhist wisdom: "...always dreaming of the future, never his mind on WHERE HE WAS! Humph! WHAT HE WAS DOING!" Those words sum up the idea of living in the present moment that is one of the fundamental teachings of Buddhism. This book presents small sayings (or "gathas") that can be used to allay a distraction and get back into the present moment. There are verses for opening a window, looking in the mirror, using the toilet, getting dressed, lighting a candle, sweeping, eating, walking, gardening, taking out the garbage, using the telephone, and even watching television. All gathas emphasize the interconnectedness of things, and living in the present moment: "We can be very happy just by being aware of what is in front of us." Themes of justice and injustice also permeate the section on food. This is a very good small, readable and comprehensible collection of Buddhist wisdom. Newcomers may have a little trouble, but the text is not very difficult, and unknown terms can be easily looked up. Buddhism incorporates very underrated perspectives and lifestyles that can reduce stress, conquer anger, and give meaning to daily existence.

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.

Anything by Thich Nhat Hanh is wonderful in my book. I have these cards all
over my house and they are a gentle reminder to stay mindful. Wonderful product
and the cards are beautiful!

I do about one poem a day, in the morning, and then start over again, giving about a two month cycle. These verses are valuable reminders to embrace this moment, reality, from an inclusive and fulfilling perspective. Ordinary practice, love it!

This is a great book which describes a way of living. It is written in an entertaining, yet educational style. As best I can define it, it outlines a simple philosophical perspective which enables one to better enjoy life. But the use of the word "simple" is somewhat deceiving. While the perspective is simple and easy to apply, it is not so easy to apply it on a day to day basis. The mindfulness verses are designed to be helpers in this regard.

Who will like this book?

If you are into eastern religion (specifically Buddhism) you will like it, as it is a real life implementation of "enlightenment" on a daily basis. If you are not into eastern religion, I think that you will like it just as well, as it is a practical day-to-day guide for "happiness".

If you are interested in alternate world views, you might like this book.

If you are a technophile, you will be interested in this book as an intellectual exercise.

Who will not like this book?

If you are freaked out be non-Western religious thought, then you may not like this book. While it is not "religious" per se, those who are firmly tied to Western religious tradition and cannot view this as a philosophical exercise, might find it difficult to let go.

If you are not from a tradition of liberal thinking which enjoys going beyond normal boundaries of American culture, then this book may not be for you.

Overall, I thought it was a great book for me.