No Mud, No Lotus -Thich Nhat Hanh

by | 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:

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Solve for Happy – Mo Gawdat

by | Mar 5, 2019 | Book Reviews

Book Info:

Solve for Happy: Engineer Your Path to Joy by Mo Gawdat. Available as eBook, paperback (368 pages), or audiobook (11 hours, 12 minutes).

Wherever you are, whoever you are, you want to be happy. It’s a human desire about as basic as the drive to take the next breath… Why should something so basic be so hard to find? The truth is, it isn’t. We’re just looking for it in the wrong places. We think of it as a destination to reach, when in fact it’s where we all began.

Summary:

Have you ever wished you could have more happiness in your life? And then have it stick around… even during the hard times? Even though Mo Gawdat was a successful engineer at Google with a beloved family, he still yearned for lasting happiness. Solve For Happy chronicles Mo Gawdat’s quest to find a formula for happiness that he could keep with him through life’s ups and downs. Be ready to explore deep topics such as grief, the impermanence of thoughts, time relativity, and even the existence of a God.  Even with such meaty topics, Gawdat holds the reader’s attention easily thanks to his charismatic writing and authenticity. The book contains plenty of excellent exercises for increased mindfulness as well.

Things to Know:

  • Mindfulness concepts are a strong focus of this book, however, meditation is not specifically emphasized.

The Bottom Line:

Therefore, if you are looking for dependable happiness in your life this is a great book to read. Real-life situations – even tragic ones – and examples of mindfulness are at the core of this book. In addition, this is a great book for people interested in mindfulness but not necessarily interested in a meditation practice as of yet.

The Verdict:

Rochelle:

Alicia:

Check out more of our “short and sweet” book reviews HERE.

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