The Miracle of Mindfulness: A Manual on Meditation

"This author has a unique ability to boil down a concept to a simple easily understood recipe that most people can quickly grasp. He has written a Manual on Mindfulness meditation in a 148 page back pocket sized book. It contains picturesque examples and a choice of a variety of exercises that the reader can use to enjoy life in the moment and appreciate the interrelationship of all things.

Nhat Hanh's Mindfulness exercises teach us to become aware of the miracle of life. We do not think of things as being good or bad, we simply observe them as they are breathing, observing, appreciating, and letting thoughts pass. We practice and live our life in mindfulness of and the interrelationship to all things. When we eat a tangerine, for example, we do so thinking and enjoying exactly what we are doing in the moment. Our mind is not on what we will do when we are finished with the task at hand or day dreaming about something else. We feel the texture of the tangerine as we peel it. We note the spray and fragrance that the fruit releases during the process. We taste each juicy bite and enjoy the succulent fruit being thoroughly chewed and swallowed in the moment. We take the time to pause and think of the mother of the fruit, the tree and how the flowers and leafs are bathed by the sun and rain. We imagine the bee's pollinating the flowery tree. We appreciate tree roots roll receiving and transmitting the earth's nourishment and the rains moisture.

In addition to awakening us to what is, Hanh teaches us to liberate our hearts and minds from incorrect thinking and to have compassion for those not yet awakened to truth.
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~ Written on 2008-08-07

"Thich Nhat Hanh wrote "The Miracle of Mindfulness" in 1974 to help the politically-neutral aid workers in Vietnam deal with the trauma of war and the challenges of their work. The book is a remarkable reminder of the power we have to be effective, and that power is rooted in our willingness to bring attention to exactly where we are.

What I really appreciate about this book is that it is about "Engaged Buddhism." In this school, awareness is not just something you gain sitting still in meditation. Rather Hahn emphasizes that awareness can also be gleaned and expressed when you get to work in your life!

If what you seek is practical enlightenment, I suggest you read any of Ariel and Shya Kanes' books: Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: A Book About Instantaneous Transformation,How To Create a Magical Relationship,Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment. Like Hahn, the Kanes support their readers in gaining and utilizing awareness in a way that is clearly effective, both personally and globally!"
~ Written on 2008-03-24

"This is a great book for anyone interested in meditation. Since mindfulness is at the core of meditation this book helps to explain not only what mindfulness is but how to put it into practice by making mindfulness part of ones daily life. A gem of a book. khudos to Thich Nhat Hanh."
~ Written on 2008-02-19

"Interesting, easy to read and follow the author. Didn't agree with everything, but overall it's alright. I had to read it for a class.
Book received as described by the seller."
~ Written on 2008-01-17

"This is a lovely book with many practical tips on meditating.

My particular favourite is the reference to 'washing the dishes to wash the dishes' - the idea of living in the present and enjoying tasks that we all want to put off. By focusing on the job in hand and not ruminating or thinking about what we are going to do next, Hanh rewards the reader with very simple but profound advice. - my dishes have never been cleaner and my mind is certainly less cluttered as a result!"
~ Written on 2008-01-03