Customer Reviews

Teachings on Love

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Once more our beloved Zen master and amazing poet does it again in yet another spiritual masterpiece, guiding us all towards a more meaningful and joyful life. I actually may very well believe that this particular text is the very finest you will ever read on this much debated topic: Love. In Buddhism there is a teaching known as The Four Immeasurable Minds. They are love, compassion, joy, and equanimity. The root and source of love is in all human beings, and it is our responsibility to realize this and cultivate love as the way of our very lives.

He starts with beneficial practices here on just how to do that seemingly arduous task; how to listen to others with patience, how to accept and love yourself, and ultimately how in a sense "rewrite your karma." Thich covers issues like anger and jealousy, which of course cause ourselves and countless others innumerable amounts of stress and trouble. As with some of his other works where he advises we create, for instance, our own sutra -Thich likewise develops 4 original mantras in a chapter here intended to develop a loving relationship with all that is through a program of awareness, respect for ourselves and others, nurturing, and perhaps most importantly communication.

It's with practice suggestions and the like which Thay provides here that make this work a landmark in his teaching career. Just when you think you've reaped all which Thich Nhat Hanh has to offer you, a book like this comes along to refresh your expert mind back to a baby. After all, a baby's mind is open to most anything, it has nothing to do but learn. And so is our practice. Learning, cultivation, hardship. To sum up, practice is our life.

Teachings on Love may be that book you are looking for in times of Great Doubt which reminds you of the potential of your practice, thus renewing your Great Belief. This work is a testament to the wonderful teachings this modern master always seems to deliver. I can't actually recommend this one enough. Enjoy it.

"Teachings on Love" helps water those seeds of love in your heart. Here one of the parts I liked the most:

"Look into the eyes of your beloved and ask deeply, "Who are you, my love, who has come to me and taken my suffering as your suffering, my happiness as your happiness, my life and death as your life and death? Who are you whose self has become my self? Why aren't you a dewdrop, a butterfly, a bird, a pine tree? Ask with your whole body and mind. Later, you will have to ask the person who causes you the most suffering the same questions...To understand, you have to become one with your beloved, and also one with your so-called enemy. You have to worry about what they worry about, suffer their suffering, appreciate what they appreciate. You and the object of your love cannot be two. They are as much you as you are yourself...See and listen with the whole of your being. If you are fully present, the rain of the Dharma will water the deepest seeds in your store consciousness, and tomorrow, while you are washing the dishes or looking at the blue sky, that seed will spring forth, and love and understanding will appear as a beautiful flower."

Beautiful isn't it? Now I must go, I need to begin my practice...

For anyone who is just beginning to get into Buddhism or for people of other religious traditions, this is the book for you. Tich Nhat Hanh is the most known writer of Buddhism of our time and he has done a stunning job talking about and teaching the Buddha's ideas on love. This is an inspiring piece of literature; one that should not be missed.

I just refered about 8 people to this book in the past week so I figured I should add a review here also.
this book is REALLY and TRULY LIFE CHANGING... there is something about the words and the way its written that you can't put it down until you're finished reading it, and there's an overwhelming sense of peace that comes over everyone who reads and finishes it.
it is short... to the point.. and really inspirational. i keep a copy on my bedside table and open it almost every day to find the nearest highlighted quote to give me energy...
Since i have read this book (and his other books also) i have seriously changed my life for the better... it is so simple to do... you realize the power of peaeful and mindful living and how easy it is to do

This book is fabulous. It is simply written and doesn't include an overwhelming dose of academic analysis of buddhist ideology, which often plagues other buddhist texts. I give it to all my friends and loved ones for birthdays or any chance I get, and they all love it as well. It becomes embedded in your way of thinking in a very positive and organic way.

After reading just one chapter from Thich Nhat Hanh's book, I fell in love with it. Not only will you have a different outlook on those close to your heart, you will also know how to make a difference...For those that you love or intend to love, whether it be a child, co-worker, family or friend, by practicing and understanding LOVE through Hanh's words will prove to be successful. No matter what, your life will improve after reading this book...

I should read this book sooner and it would have saved my relationship with Lily Susanto the lady I love so dearly. I still love her very much till this day. This book I suggest ever one gave it a good look even if they are not buddhist. It also deals with family as well, A great book.. It touch my 'soul' and I shed tears and my heart ache knowing that I should read it sooner.

I got this product quickly and it looks brand new. As for the book itself, it is AMAZING, and I'm not overexaggerating. My fiancee and I are getting married soon, and we have had a tumultuous relationship to say the least due to long distance -he lives in the UK and I live in the United States, plus he has a nightmare ex-wife and he also has two children. This book has finally brought some much needed balance and peace. He listened to it on tape, while I opted for the book itself. It has mostly taught us how to revamp our arguements when we have them, and how to diffuse situations so they don't become arguements. Plus it offers practical advice on how to embrace the anger you're feeling and by recognizing it and telling yourself it's okay, you immediately start feeling better. This book taught me how to respect my partner in a new way and how to not let my emotions immediately take over. This book SAVED my relationship, and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone ever in a serious relationship, planning to get married, or working on saving their marriage. Thich Nhat Hanh explains things that are so simple for us to understand, but hard to remember when your passions are involved. Amazing book.

This talk is simple, yet deeply wise. I have listened to many, many talks and teachings about the spiritual path and this is by far the most useful and the most healing. Not only are the precepts which he outlines, practical, effective and healing, but the sound of his voice is truly a healing presence in itself. I have my own copy, I gave my son a copy (he's 21) and I also gave a copy to my partner. I have explored various spiritual paths and would not consider myself a buddhist, but can't image these teachings being foreign to anyone who believes that god is a loving and truly compassionate being. I've rated this as five stars but the truth is it's off the star chart.

My husband bought me this book for our 10th wedding anniversary. It was one of the best gifts I've ever received. It speaks to the reader in a very personal way. It makes one believe that with love for all beings, we can achieve peace. Even if it's as simple as not being upset when driving in your car. It helps one to realize what/who is important in one's life and to learn to appreciate it/them.