by WildGoose | Mar 6, 2019 | Book Reviews
Book Info:
No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering, by Thich Nhat Hanh. Available as eBook or paperback (128 pages).
“The main affliction of our modern civilization is that we don’t know how to handle the suffering inside us and we try to cover it up with all kinds of consumption.”
Summary:
Most people don’t like to be with pain or suffering – especially not their own. We may talk about topics such as grief, sorrow, and pain, but it is rare that a book will help us learn to first sit with the suffering and understand it – and then even transform it. Often meditation books address the positive feelings and benefits that come from a meditative practice. These books may also address philosophy. But few books so specifically guide the reader to find the peace, beauty, and transformation through sitting with our pain, sorrow, and fear. A wonderful introduction to understanding our difficult emotions, it also helps us understand our selves better in the process.
Things to Know:
- Written in Thich Nhat Hanh’s signature gentle style, this book has many deep concepts that are written in an understandable way.
- This books explores difficult human emotions and experiences. While it is powerful, at its core, this book is an introduction. If implemented, this book will guide the reader to sit with, understand, and transform emotions and feelings the reader may not have known how to explore in the past.
- If you are looking for a deep exploration of sorrow, transformation, and meditation, this is a good starting point. Other books you may be interested in are: Radical Acceptance, and Solve for Happy.
The Bottom Line:
This book will help the reader release past grievances and work through sorrow. Self discovery and healing await those who practice the exercises and teachings in this book.
The Verdict:
Check out more of our “short and sweet” book reviews HERE.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links that earn us a small commission, at no additional cost to you if you purchase using our link.
by WildGoose | Mar 5, 2019 | Book Reviews
Book Info:
Peace is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life by Thich Nhat Hanh. Available as eBook, paperback (134 pages), or audiobook (3 hours, 29 minutes).
“Peace is present right here and now, in ourselves and in everything we do and see. Every breath we take, every step we take, can be filled with peace, joy, and serenity. The question is whether or not we are in touch with it. We need only to be awake, alive in the present moment.”
Summary:
Meditation can sometimes feel overwhelming. It’s hard to know where to start. As a result, many people wait to learn to meditate until they feel they have the time to really focus on it. Thanks to Thich Nhat Hanh’s approach, which is both practical and easy to implement, it is possible to begin finding peace wherever you are in your life – right now! If you already have a meditation practice, this book will still teach many helpful concepts for taking your meditation practice with you throughout the day. Peace Is Every Step explores many meditative and mindfulness concepts including: finding daily peace, compassion and understanding of yourself and others. In addition, you’ll also learn tangible exercises that can be done throughout the day to find greater peace wherever you are.
Things to Know:
- Looking to dive deep into one style of meditation? If so, this book may not be what you are looking for. This book introduces many concepts in mindfulness and meditation, but does not explore any one specific style of meditation.
- Because of this book’s conversational style, occasionally it is possible to overlook how profound the principles are.
The Bottom Line:
If you are searching for tools and concepts that will help bring greater peace and wisdom in life, this book is a great launching point. Thich Nhat Hanh explores exercises such as “Bells of Mindfulness” and mantras to allow greater peace into the reader’s life. Concepts such as compassion and peace in one’s own life are also introduced. Learning to incorporate meditation and mindfulness into your daily life becomes accessible and approachable with Peace is Every Step.
The Verdict:
Check out more of our “short and sweet” book reviews HERE.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links that earn us a small commission, at no additional cost to you if you purchase using our link.
