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Being Peace
Touching Peace: Practicing the Art of Mindful Living
The world-renowned Zen Buddhist teacher and author of No Mud, No Lotus presents mindfulness and meditation as tools for examining—and solving—both personal and global challenges. In Touching Peace, Thich Nhat Hanh expands the teachings on practicing the art of mindful living begun in the best-selling Being Peace by giving specific, practical instructions on extending our meditation practice into our daily lives. Nhat Hanh reminds us to focus on what is refreshing and healing within and all around us, and how, paired with the practice of mindful breathing, it can be used as the basis for examining the roots of war and violence, alcoholism and drug abuse, and social alienation. Included are classic Thich Nhat Hanh practices and teachings such as the conflict resolution tool of the Peace Treaty; his thoughts on a “diet for a mindful society” based on his interpretation of the 5 Mindfulness Trainings; and his early writings on the environment. With Touching Peace, Nhat Hanh shares his vision for rebuilding society through strengthening our families and communities, and realizing the ultimate dimension of reality in each act of our daily lives.
136 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 31, 1990
136 people are currently reading
1776 people want to read
About the author
Thich Nhat Hanh
970 books12.8k followersThích Nhất Hạnh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist who then lived in southwest France where he was in exile for many years. Born Nguyễn Xuân Bảo, Thích Nhất Hạnh joined a Zen (Vietnamese: Thiền) monastery at the age of 16, and studied Buddhism as a novitiate. Upon his ordination as a monk in 1949, he assumed the Dharma name Thích Nhất Hạnh. Thích is an honorary family name used by all Vietnamese monks and nuns, meaning that they are part of the Shakya (Shakyamuni Buddha) clan. He was often considered the most influential living figure in the lineage of Lâm Tế (Vietnamese Rinzai) Thiền, and perhaps also in Zen Buddhism as a whole.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
September 4, 2024
Nach der buddhistischen Lehre sind Wohlwollen, Mitgefühl, Freude und Freiheit die vier Elemente der Liebe. In sehr verständlichen, einfachen und logischen Worten geht Thich Nhat Hanh in diesem Buch darauf ein.
Eigentlich erscheint alles sehr selbstverständlich, dennoch tut es gut, sich dieses immer mal wieder ins Gedächtnis zu rufen.
Achtsam und aufmerksam sein und bleiben - sich und anderen gegenüber.
Ein Buch, das guttut.
Eigentlich erscheint alles sehr selbstverständlich, dennoch tut es gut, sich dieses immer mal wieder ins Gedächtnis zu rufen.
Achtsam und aufmerksam sein und bleiben - sich und anderen gegenüber.
Ein Buch, das guttut.
May 2, 2023
2.5
DNF at circa 50%
I know many people love this man and his works, but it's just not for me.
The writing has a lovely, peaceful tone to it but the essays are structured super organically. That is, Hanh jumps from random example to random example to random example with no segues until you get dizzy and lose track of what he's talking about.
After 5 chapters, I gave up trying to follow such a humming bird style train of thought. Just not a structure I can handle.
I appreciated reading some of the stories about Buddha (be glad you don't own cows!) but there were a few of Hanh's personal opinions and his "rules" I rather disagreed with and at times, the book read like he was trying to sell me something. Either a trip to his Plum Village or one of his courses/programmes.
I also don't think I want to kiss the ground with my feet when I walk. Even if I understood exactly what that means, which I don't think I do. (Do elephants kiss the ground when they walk? Camels? Bears? I'm not sure.)
All-in-all, a lovely tone but rather confusing style/content.
DNF at circa 50%
I know many people love this man and his works, but it's just not for me.
The writing has a lovely, peaceful tone to it but the essays are structured super organically. That is, Hanh jumps from random example to random example to random example with no segues until you get dizzy and lose track of what he's talking about.
After 5 chapters, I gave up trying to follow such a humming bird style train of thought. Just not a structure I can handle.
I appreciated reading some of the stories about Buddha (be glad you don't own cows!) but there were a few of Hanh's personal opinions and his "rules" I rather disagreed with and at times, the book read like he was trying to sell me something. Either a trip to his Plum Village or one of his courses/programmes.
I also don't think I want to kiss the ground with my feet when I walk. Even if I understood exactly what that means, which I don't think I do. (Do elephants kiss the ground when they walk? Camels? Bears? I'm not sure.)
All-in-all, a lovely tone but rather confusing style/content.
November 8, 2014
Things find their way into my life at the most perfect times. This book made its way to me, traveling seven hundred and some odd miles from central CA to Northern Oregon, on the very day that I was ready for it. In the middle of a snow storm at that! The perfect time to stay in and reflect.
I didn't get far. I've read the first chapter three times. I'm drinking it in, letting it soak and reach the roots of my heart. The first chapter is called Life is a Miracle, and in it Thich Nhat Hahn talks about how this moment *this moment* is our true home. Having just uprooted my whole life and left behind everything I've known and loved for a new place of possibility, this first message touched me right where I was hurting. I spent a few days on that idea.
He then goes on to describe some meditations one can do to touch the peace within each of us, teaching us how to touch ourselves with love and compassion, how to appreciate our hearts, our eyes, our liver, our non-toothache. We spend so much time focusing on all the wrong things, its good to take some time throughout the day and smile at the things that are beautiful and wonderful, in ourselves, in nature, in our friends.
"The miracle is to walk on the Earth." This is how we find heaven on earth.
I didn't get far. I've read the first chapter three times. I'm drinking it in, letting it soak and reach the roots of my heart. The first chapter is called Life is a Miracle, and in it Thich Nhat Hahn talks about how this moment *this moment* is our true home. Having just uprooted my whole life and left behind everything I've known and loved for a new place of possibility, this first message touched me right where I was hurting. I spent a few days on that idea.
He then goes on to describe some meditations one can do to touch the peace within each of us, teaching us how to touch ourselves with love and compassion, how to appreciate our hearts, our eyes, our liver, our non-toothache. We spend so much time focusing on all the wrong things, its good to take some time throughout the day and smile at the things that are beautiful and wonderful, in ourselves, in nature, in our friends.
"The miracle is to walk on the Earth." This is how we find heaven on earth.
August 11, 2015
Although the book is rather thin compared to the name "Touching Peace", it's thickness completely covered what the author wanted to say. I just gave a few hours for this book but it's very worthy to read. Finding peace in oneself is very important and the book is all about peace. Read it and be peaceful.
December 31, 2021
The perfect book to end the year with 😊
February 19, 2022
Livre intéressant sur la pleine conscience écrit par un moins bouddhiste.
Le message peut paraître parfois un peu typique du livre sur le développement personnel un peu niais mais je me suis surpris à voir les choses sous un autre angle à plusieurs reprises lors de la lecture.
Par exemple, prendre le temps de respirer, être heureux d'être vivant tout simplement et de ne pas avoir mal aux dents, de respirer, de pouvoir voir et contempler la beauté du monde, de le faire en pleine conscience...
Ou alors prendre le temps de réfléchir avant de manger sur les aliments que l'on a dans notre assiette, la salade qui a poussé, le travail du jardinier, de la terre, des insectes, toutes les actions qui ont fait que l'on a de quoi manger. Le blé qui a poussé, le grain qui a été meulé puis le boulanger qui a fait le pain et essayer d'apprécier tout ce travail en amont et "bénir" tout cela pour mieux l'apprécier! Pas simple à faire dans notre monde de pressés mais à essayer!
Le message peut paraître parfois un peu typique du livre sur le développement personnel un peu niais mais je me suis surpris à voir les choses sous un autre angle à plusieurs reprises lors de la lecture.
Par exemple, prendre le temps de respirer, être heureux d'être vivant tout simplement et de ne pas avoir mal aux dents, de respirer, de pouvoir voir et contempler la beauté du monde, de le faire en pleine conscience...
Ou alors prendre le temps de réfléchir avant de manger sur les aliments que l'on a dans notre assiette, la salade qui a poussé, le travail du jardinier, de la terre, des insectes, toutes les actions qui ont fait que l'on a de quoi manger. Le blé qui a poussé, le grain qui a été meulé puis le boulanger qui a fait le pain et essayer d'apprécier tout ce travail en amont et "bénir" tout cela pour mieux l'apprécier! Pas simple à faire dans notre monde de pressés mais à essayer!
May 29, 2023
Dieses kurze Buch führt ein bisschen in die Buddhistische Philosophie und Meditationen. Es ist für westliche nicht Buddhisten und im zweiten Teil besonders für Christen geschrieben. Der Autor erklärt knapp und anschaulich die buddhistische Weltsicht, die Aufmerksamkeitsmeditationen des bewussten Atmens und die Wichtigkeit der Liebe zu allem. Mir hat das Buch sehr gefallen und ich konnte auch für ein paar Sachen meinen Alltag mitnehmen.
December 4, 2023
Beautiful reflections, as always. This was recorded during the Bush/Cheney/War era - so many of the points shared were in consideration of how to respond.
October 30, 2023
Five stars for Thich. Always.
His soul is so pure, so innocent. Reading his words is its own meditation.
I recently found out he passed away last year and I was inspired to read one of his books. I'll probably read another one too as they are just so relaxing and fulfilling.
The last chapter on death as a "continuation" is so beautiful. I hope I remember it. This is a book that I'd buy just so I can reread it again and again.
His soul is so pure, so innocent. Reading his words is its own meditation.
I recently found out he passed away last year and I was inspired to read one of his books. I'll probably read another one too as they are just so relaxing and fulfilling.
The last chapter on death as a "continuation" is so beautiful. I hope I remember it. This is a book that I'd buy just so I can reread it again and again.
December 3, 2018
Some good stuff in here. Some of the usual mindfulness stuff. A lot of it is anti the second Iraq war, which most people now agree was not a good idea. He’s surprisingly nonjudgmental towards both President Bush and Saddam Hussein. Overall, not a book I’d recommend. There’s a lot of better material out there on any of the topics covered.
January 25, 2019
A recorded talk from the mid-1990s takes on our inner and outer natures, finding peace, avoiding anger. A significant section addresses the effects of a nationalist and militarist mindset in the wake of the first gulf war. As relevant today as it was 20+ years ago. The peace movement (then and now) knows how to write a protest letter, but it needs to learn how to write a love letter.
June 5, 2024
Most of the practices that he describes are easy to follow and generally resonate. Although he does say stuff sometimes that makes me ????? Overall it’s a great book, but definitely not my favourite of his.
January 22, 2021
As with every other book I’ve read by Thich Nhat Hanh, amazing. I especially loved the part about Buddha’s Five Mindfulness Teachings. This book was quite healing for my soul
August 23, 2025
Thich Nhat Hanh is a wisdom practitioner. Take his advice for better health. Mindfulness. Mindfulness, mindfulness, mindfulness. If you’re walking, say to yourself, I am walking. If you're sitting, say to yourself, I am sitting. He provides it as the best workable cure for all the world's ills.
Sure, suffering will always be here, but we must learn how to deal with it.
In this book, he provides a summary rundown of all his usual favorite points.
Mindfully strengthen goodness, weaken negativity.
We all need a sangha.
A peace treaty: how to resolve conflict within the sangha.
If you transform yourself, you do so for the benefit of all of us.
Tradition is irrelevant. These are very simple practices that can be used by anyone at any time. He aims at tying cultures together. ‘Think globally.’ Think in terms of the water, not the waves, the ‘ultimate,’ not the limited historical perspective, nirvana, not samsara.
Includes the 5 precepts: Don’t kill, Don’t steal, Don’t participate in sexual misconduct, Use your tongue mindfully, Watch your consumption.
Don't abuse.
Know that your parents were once children themselves: vulnerable. You yourself are the crucible that carries the habits of your ancestors and your parents, and will transfer those to your children and future generations. Watch yourself. Your body does not belong exclusively to you. It is actually the belonging of everyone.
Go beyond thyself. Do not think in terms of yourSELF. Think in terms of the society, the community, the sangha.
Life is really a process of transformation. There is no final stage.
Write a list of what you have consumed that you shouldn't have. Vow not to repeat it.
You cannot have someone else suffer and be totally happy yourself. This should be fairly obvious. We inter-are; we are co existent,
interdependent, and mutually reliant. If you or I do something right, you or I will be responsible to the herd. If you or I do something wrong, you or I will be culpable to the herd.
Slow down, calm down, and practice wholesome living.
Everyone can benefit from a sangha. It's a place where as a literal or figurative family, we can resist, using each other as a support, the toxic elements of the world.
His dream at the end is very telling. In it he dreams that he and his brother An are at the marketplace, and for sale on one table is every terrible, awful, and horrible experience he has ever had: warfare, disease, fire, famine, racial oppression, hatred, injustice, ignorance, misery and death. The man selling the ‘goods’ asserts that Thich Nhat Hanh and An will have to undergo these things forevermore, without cessation, on endless repeat. At first, he's down-hearted, but then he gains strength & courage, and shouts in the man's face, ‘If that's the way it is, so be it! If that's the way it must be, then we'll face it!’
This goes in the face of anyone and everyone who is always like, ‘Let’s put off true living for the afterlife,’ ‘This life is insignificant compared with the afterlife,’ ‘I'm just waiting for heaven.’ Thich Nhat Hanh is wise enough to realize that THIS life IS the afterlife, THIS IS the meaningful one, THIS life IS what matters. Reality must be lived fully. We must emBrace this life, despite all its imperfections & flaws, nay, misery, depression, & suffering. Because there IS no other life! This defies the nihilism many profess. It turns it on its head, and asserts rather that we are here in this life for the sake of FIXING IT. We can't give up. We can't throw up our hands and say that this life wouldn’t compare with the afterlife, just to wait for some eternal redemption. On whose terms? Our own? Individually? Personally? Selfishly? Or do we expect our family to be there, and do we get the chance to spread out? Nah. Thich Nhat Hanh suggests that as hellacious as life can get, he and his family will face it. If he has that kind of courage in the face of never-ending life, why can't we?
Sure, suffering will always be here, but we must learn how to deal with it.
In this book, he provides a summary rundown of all his usual favorite points.
Mindfully strengthen goodness, weaken negativity.
We all need a sangha.
A peace treaty: how to resolve conflict within the sangha.
If you transform yourself, you do so for the benefit of all of us.
Tradition is irrelevant. These are very simple practices that can be used by anyone at any time. He aims at tying cultures together. ‘Think globally.’ Think in terms of the water, not the waves, the ‘ultimate,’ not the limited historical perspective, nirvana, not samsara.
Includes the 5 precepts: Don’t kill, Don’t steal, Don’t participate in sexual misconduct, Use your tongue mindfully, Watch your consumption.
Don't abuse.
Know that your parents were once children themselves: vulnerable. You yourself are the crucible that carries the habits of your ancestors and your parents, and will transfer those to your children and future generations. Watch yourself. Your body does not belong exclusively to you. It is actually the belonging of everyone.
Go beyond thyself. Do not think in terms of yourSELF. Think in terms of the society, the community, the sangha.
Life is really a process of transformation. There is no final stage.
Write a list of what you have consumed that you shouldn't have. Vow not to repeat it.
You cannot have someone else suffer and be totally happy yourself. This should be fairly obvious. We inter-are; we are co existent,
interdependent, and mutually reliant. If you or I do something right, you or I will be responsible to the herd. If you or I do something wrong, you or I will be culpable to the herd.
Slow down, calm down, and practice wholesome living.
Everyone can benefit from a sangha. It's a place where as a literal or figurative family, we can resist, using each other as a support, the toxic elements of the world.
His dream at the end is very telling. In it he dreams that he and his brother An are at the marketplace, and for sale on one table is every terrible, awful, and horrible experience he has ever had: warfare, disease, fire, famine, racial oppression, hatred, injustice, ignorance, misery and death. The man selling the ‘goods’ asserts that Thich Nhat Hanh and An will have to undergo these things forevermore, without cessation, on endless repeat. At first, he's down-hearted, but then he gains strength & courage, and shouts in the man's face, ‘If that's the way it is, so be it! If that's the way it must be, then we'll face it!’
This goes in the face of anyone and everyone who is always like, ‘Let’s put off true living for the afterlife,’ ‘This life is insignificant compared with the afterlife,’ ‘I'm just waiting for heaven.’ Thich Nhat Hanh is wise enough to realize that THIS life IS the afterlife, THIS IS the meaningful one, THIS life IS what matters. Reality must be lived fully. We must emBrace this life, despite all its imperfections & flaws, nay, misery, depression, & suffering. Because there IS no other life! This defies the nihilism many profess. It turns it on its head, and asserts rather that we are here in this life for the sake of FIXING IT. We can't give up. We can't throw up our hands and say that this life wouldn’t compare with the afterlife, just to wait for some eternal redemption. On whose terms? Our own? Individually? Personally? Selfishly? Or do we expect our family to be there, and do we get the chance to spread out? Nah. Thich Nhat Hanh suggests that as hellacious as life can get, he and his family will face it. If he has that kind of courage in the face of never-ending life, why can't we?
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August 11, 2025Wenn Sie einatmen und wissen, dass Sie einatmen, dann ist Achtsamkeit da. Achtsamkeit hat stets einen Bezugspunkt, ein Objekt. Sind Sie wütend und der Tatsache gewahr, dass Sie wütend sind, dann ist ebenfalls Achtsamkeit da. Wut ist eine Energie und Achtsamkeit eine andere. Wir rufen die zweite Energie in uns wach, damit diese sich um die erste kümmert, so wie eine Mutter sich um ihr kleines Kind kümmert.
Ich fand besonders den Vergleich mit der Mutter, die sich um ihr kleines Kind kümmert, spannend. Es ist tatsächlich so, dass man sich um ein Kind, welches nicht genau weiß wohin mit sich, kümmert und ihm die Richtung zeigt. Dabei sollte man nicht starr auf einen Weg beharren, sondern ebenfalls in Betracht ziehen, wohin das Kind will, was hilft oder eben nicht weiterbringt.
Als Einführung in Thich Nhat Hanh's Lehren war dieses Buch wahrscheinlich nicht der beste Einstieg. Mir war es zu repetitiv und undurchschaubar. Es hat sich eher wie ein Buch einer esoterischen Vereinigung gelesen, was möglicherweise der Übersetzung geschuldet ist.
Der buddhistischen Philosophie bin ich dadurch nicht wirklich näher gekommen.
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February 12, 2019Reader in group - Ever since I was knee high to a grasshopper, I've been awed by the fact that I could check out library books for free. Reading (poetry, fiction, and nonfiction alike) has always been a great source of joy for me.
In Touching Peace, Thich Nhat Hanh shares the wisdom of his Vietnamese Zen Buddhist tradition by offering instructions on how to practice mindfulness and meditation. He likens people to flowers, acknowledging the ways in which we are each full of beauty, joy, and peace. However, he also posits that to be so lovely, we must become aware of the fact that we're made from compost and are becoming compost. Nhat Hanh carries out the metaphor to suggest that through meditation, we can choose to mindfully sow the seeds of compassion and happiness.
Some of this text challenged me to keep an open mind, while other parts truly resonated with my beliefs. If you're interested in similar works, I recommend a compilation by Jack Kornfield called The Buddha is Still Teaching.
In Touching Peace, Thich Nhat Hanh shares the wisdom of his Vietnamese Zen Buddhist tradition by offering instructions on how to practice mindfulness and meditation. He likens people to flowers, acknowledging the ways in which we are each full of beauty, joy, and peace. However, he also posits that to be so lovely, we must become aware of the fact that we're made from compost and are becoming compost. Nhat Hanh carries out the metaphor to suggest that through meditation, we can choose to mindfully sow the seeds of compassion and happiness.
Some of this text challenged me to keep an open mind, while other parts truly resonated with my beliefs. If you're interested in similar works, I recommend a compilation by Jack Kornfield called The Buddha is Still Teaching.
February 20, 2024
This was my first time reading any of Thich Nhat Hanh's writings. I found some really impactful chapters. Ones that have helped my meditation and connection practices. Invaluable awareness. And yet through thr majority of the reading I just wanted to rush to thr next page. His flowery prose and numerous stories and r smiles felr disjointed at times. I can imagine them as a dharma talk and having more of an impact, but reading them dragged on. I will definitely read more or his work, and eill reference chapters within here. But I don't see myself returning for a reread for quite some time. Maybe when I'm further on My bodhisattva journy I'll connect with this one more.
January 23, 2022
I happened to finish this book the same week Thay moved on to the next part of his continuation. The strength and depth of its message belies his gentle and poetic style. This is a beautiful book that teaches the heart of what the peace is, how we can reach it through true mindfulness, and how touching that peace can transform us.
Reading it has already altered my life and and how I interact with the world and myself.
Reading it has already altered my life and and how I interact with the world and myself.
June 11, 2023
Non fiction takes time to read but the lessons stay. It teaches how mindfullness can bring clarity to our understanding and how it is so necessary to cultivate the practice of insight and stillness to see your daily life from a different perspective.
It has definitely many highlights and learnings to revisit and reread.
It has definitely many highlights and learnings to revisit and reread.
February 8, 2025
Een boek over leven vanuit liefdevolle aandacht voor alles wat er in je omgaat en voor alles wat er om je heen is. En hoe die liefdevolle aandacht vervolgens transformerend kan werken. Het zijn losse overdenkingen, metaforen, voorbeelden, oefeningen en diepe inzichten. Wel een boek wat ik af en toe weer even zal opzoeken en doorbladeren verwacht ik.
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October 18, 2019“You are a free person; you are alive. Open your eyes and enjoy the sunshine, the beautiful shot, and the wonderful children all around you become your best- call, fresh, solid, clear, and free, able to enjoy the present moment of your life.”
March 25, 2022
Another wonderful and enlightening book by Thich Nhat Hanh. It is a general book on mindful living, I feel. However, I feel Thay, as always, writes in a simple and easy-to-understand manner, and this makes his books a joy to read and reflect upon. Highly recommended.
May 2, 2024
Im Audible Abo enthalten
Dauer: 1h 49
Gelesen von: Till Hagen und Ulrike Hübschmann
Tolles Hörbuch von Thich Nhat Hanh.
Ich habe es heute während eines Spaziergangs durchgehört.
Viele Ideen, Anregungen, Mantras und Hilfestellungen.
Hat mir sehr gut gefallen.
Dauer: 1h 49
Gelesen von: Till Hagen und Ulrike Hübschmann
Tolles Hörbuch von Thich Nhat Hanh.
Ich habe es heute während eines Spaziergangs durchgehört.
Viele Ideen, Anregungen, Mantras und Hilfestellungen.
Hat mir sehr gut gefallen.
July 7, 2024
Says it's not about repressing negative emotions but it totally is and frames them as something imperfect that should be ignored, or, breathed through. I felt a toxic positivity vibe from this for sure.
March 26, 2025
Beautiful book wing touching content to help the reader learn about tranquility and peace A bit repetitive in relation to other books by the same author. I developed a few new mantras for meditation from the books content
December 26, 2019
I will read anything by Thich Nhat Hanh. The “Mountain/Still” meditation may have saved my life. Truly simple, wonderful and profound perspectives on living life with mindfulness.
April 11, 2020
A companion classic for “Being Peace”
February 14, 2022
Geschichten von achtsamem Leben enthält das Buch (nach meinem Verständnis) leider nicht, aber viele schöne Metaphern, um Achtsamkeit besser integrieren zu können
March 27, 2022
As always, so many gems of wisdom from Thich Naht Hanh. I wish I had had the opportunity to study with him in person during his life, but his books have given me such great teachings.
April 26, 2022
Walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet.
What can a tree do for the world? Being a good, beautiful and healthy tree.
What can a tree do for the world? Being a good, beautiful and healthy tree.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews