The Mindfulness Survival Kit: Five Essential Practices

by Thich Nhat Hanh

The Five Mindfulness Trainings (also referred to as “Precepts”)—not to kill, steal, commit adultery, lie, or take intoxicants—are the basic statement of ethics and morality in Buddhism. Zen Master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh argues eloquently for their applicability in our daily lives and on a global scale. Nhat Hanh discusses the value and meaning of each precept, offering insights into the role that it could play in our changing society. Thich Nhat Hanh calls the trainings a “diet for a mindful society”. With this book, he offers a Buddhist contribution to the current thinking on how we can come together to define secular, moral guidelines that will allow us to explore and sustain a sane, compassionate, and healthy way of living. The Five Mindfulness Trainings offer a path to restoring meaning and value in our world, whether called virtues, ethics, moral conduct, or precepts they are guidelines for living without bringing harm to others.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Self Help, Philosophy, Meditation, Psychology

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 26, 2013

About the author

Thích 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.

Reviews

[Sian Lile-Pastore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't know what to write about this book other than I felt super calm (and possibly a better person?)while reading it and i'm now going to read everything Thich nhat hanh has ever written.

[JJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is "mindfulness"?

"Mindfulness is the awareness of what is going on in us and around us in the present moment."

What is "practicing mindfulness"?

It means that "instead of reacting to whatever stimulus is around us or provokes us, we go back to our breathing, we calm our body, we stop our thinking, and we bring the mind home to the body in the present moment."

When I met Dr. Deepak Chopra the other day, he suggested that we press our "pause button" instead of responding immediately when we get some stimulus.

I felt terribly unhappy all the time before I started practice yoga and meditation, because my focus in everyday life was on both worrying about my future and getting trapped in the past.

I am grateful that I feel happier since I started practicing mindfulness a year ago.

I love meditation, so I practice it both every morning and every night.

This book introduces several kinds of meditation: walking meditation, shopping meditation, and metta (loving kindness) meditation.

I will focus on these three kinds of meditation from now on.

One of the most interesting teachings in this book is about "fast."

"The practice of fasting can help us become healthier and more sensitive to our body's needs."

Now is the time for me to start fasting so that I can improve my gut!

[Becks LeBrun · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very insightful book from one of the worlds most renowned Buddhist teachers. I borrowed this off a friend but I’d like to buy my own copy so I can tag the pages, make notes and come back to it regularly. This book covers the basic principles behind mindful living and ethics (Buddhist, western and religious). Easy to read. Left me wanting to further explore mindfulness, spirituality and ethics.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my third Thich Nhat Hanh book and perhaps my favorite. I read one chapter a day so I could better digest and contemplate the beauty of each training. I found myself meditating on each practice throughout my day.

The second half of the book is a wonderful glimpse at the ethical traditions of the world. I love the respect with which Hanh treats each tradition, and the truth he looks for in every ethical system. His treatment of each gave me greater clarity and understanding of human behavior.

One of the things I admire most about Buddhism is its commitment to practice, and that's just what this book provides--practices. Just reading TNH brings me the things he hopes to lead readers to: compassion, joy, and peace. I will read this book again and again and again as I strive toward greater mindfulness in my daily existence.

[Kemunto Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading the first half of this great book, a rundown of mindfulness and how to practice. Interesting how similar it is to African animism.

[Francisca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and short book focused on the very basis of mindfulness. Very practical approach
Also includes some interesting views and definitions on global ethics.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Budisma ētika un citi ētikas virzieni. Maziņa, vērtīga grāmata. Veicina izpratni par svarīgāko - apzinātību. 🧘‍♀️

[yenni m · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 vague memories of this but assured of a certain relevance and warmth

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic, concise primer on Buddhism and practicing mindfulness. I really enjoyed the later chapters of the book where it compares Eastern/Western ethical systems with Buddhism.

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read. I valued most the section which compares Buddhism with other religions and ethics and ways of thinking.

[Tanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whenever I'm feeling far away from myself I pick up whatever book like this is available as a digital download and they help. This one in particular is pretty well written and effective, and it pushes all the academic stuff to the end which I appreciate.

[Kamakana · Rating 4 out of 5]

if you like this review, i now have website: www.michaelkamakana.com

230127: not much new here but to notice different translations- 'suffering' or dukkha is rendered as 'ill-being', however I rate if four because I agree with metaphysics/indications toward 'well-being'. five essential practices are known as 'five precepts' in other works (not to kill, steal, commit adultery, take intoxicants, lie) are familiar guide to buddhist ethical behaviour, with emphasis on 'practice', that is, daily application, no anxiety of perfection...

interesting comparison of theistic (western) and atheistic (eastern) models of ethics, essential dissonance of good vs evil and enlightenment vs ignorance. argument that of western models buddhism is closest to utilitarianism. this has short potted summaries of everything from divine command, to natural law, social order, egoism, Kantian categorical order, deontology...

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW.. it’s a tiny little gem filled with philosophy and religious tid bits... reminds me of the Philosophy courses I took in College. I love such a concice and yet far reaching amalgam of various”ethical traditions” and excellent advice for mindfulness training. It’s amazing how articulate he is and what a powerful grasp he has on these traditions despite his native language being different from ours... Perhaps in Viet Nam they have brilliant translators... Enjoy ! a good read for the inquisitive mind.

[Hillary Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Christian woman, this opened my spiritual insight to a 360 degree view. Enlightening to learn from other religions. Going to place this book in our Washougal High School collection for others to enjoy the possibility of peace.

[Betsy Ng · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had enjoyed reading this small book. Though small, it is sufficient and indeed a survival kit towards mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of self-awareness and being in the present. The key elements in this book is the five mindfulness training and the essence of a global ethnic. The first mindfulness training is reverence for life; second is true happiness; third is true love; fourth is deep listening and loving speech; and fifth is nourishment and healing. To me, these five components are essential important but not easy to put into good practice. The part that I enjoyed the most is the comparison of ethical traditions that really opens up my mind and heart (hopefully). It is important to appreciate the art of mindfulness in this book through understanding and the science of mindfulness through practice. Hopefully I am able to get hold this book again and obtain a new perspective or fresh insights through a second reading.

[Nadya Booyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good beginners/basic book, although it is a little repetitive towards the end. And if you have been meditating or doing something similar for a while, this will probably not be a very enlightening book.
But it reads easy and is a very good starting point.

[Hai Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very happy and relax when i read the nice book! Thank to Thay

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly written, excellent foundation book.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of the ongoing reading/meditation routine in the morning. Don't usually respond to TNH but liked this one - has a quickie summation of ethical traditions near the end that was of interest too.

[Sortal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely sticks to the essentials - short and clear sections regarding Western religion and philosophy, worth re-reading

[Rahul Vishnoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

-For Your Mindfulness-
Review of 'The Mindfulness Survival Kit'

Thich Nhat Hanh is a world peace activist, a poet, a philosopher and a Zenmaster. So, what better book to pick up than his for guidance on mindfulness? The Mindfulness Survival Kit provides 5 essential practices to achieve zen: the everlasting peace and compassionate living.

This book is for both, beginners as well as skilled meditation practitioners. Meditation is something that can connect you with not only inner peace but an inner you, also establishing a simultaneous connection with your family and then broadening it to the world beyond.

It’s not only just for those who wish to start meditation but also for the ones who are already deep into this exercise. The Five Mindfulness Trainings (also referred to as “Precepts”)—not to kill, steal, commit adultery, lie, or take intoxicants—are the basic statement of ethics and morality in Buddhism.

The book contains such exercises that simultaneously feel simple and philosophical.
‘Breathing in I see myself as a flower,
Breathing out, I feel fresh.
Flower, fresh.
And this-
‘Breathing in, I have a body, it is alive, a wonder of life.
Breathing out, I smile to my body.’

The book goes on to describe more such exercises, aimed at different organs of the body.
It’s a gift for those who want to start meditation but don’t know how.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is another book that I cherished for a long while, but revisited recently to see if it still resonated with me. The first portion of this book is an in-depth look at the five essential teachings of mindfulness. I can definitely see where I valued this part in the past, but it somehow feels less relevant to me now. Perhaps because I have already embraced many of its teachings for spreading positivity and cultivating happiness. Perhaps because I've found other ways to solidify happiness that don't necessarily align with the teachings laid out here. I also feel like I should sell this book because I want to spread the good word, have someone else pick up this book who might need it more than me, and hope that it can make their outlook, behaviors, and interactions more peaceful and compassionate. The world needs more people to reach these teachings. (Is that the ultimate lesson from this book? Have I truly understood that point?) The second portion of the book is about comparative ethics, and was interesting from a theoretical perspective, seeing how various perspectives on ethics align with those of Buddhism. It was certainly insightful, albeit sometimes a little scolding.

[Micaela Hardyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because I wanted a deeper look into the Five Mindfulness Trainings so I can better practice them in my own life - and this was super helpful in expounding on them more. For that reason I’ll likely return to this book again and again. I prefer Pema Chodron’s writing style to Thich Nhat Hanh - his feels a little less accesible - but overall this was a good read. I also enjoyed his discussion of ethics and think he does a good job of presenting Buddhist concepts in a way that is relatable and helpful to people of all faiths, belief systems, etc. My only “complaint” so to speak is just that reading this requires more focus than some other books i’ve read on these topics because of the way it’s written.

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled across this small but mightily packed book on the shelf at our local library and thought it would be totally relevant in helping me to channel my energy towards more gratitude and contentment instead of the fomo and unhappiness I was feeling since moving from my hometown.

It brought me so much more than that. I walked away thinking that if everyone read this book our world could be a better place.

The fact that I'm Christian and these teachings come from a Buddhist background didn't phase me. I believe there in value in reading and understanding helpful truths because they're helpful and it doesn't take anything away from my faith.

I'm already interested in other titles by the author.

[Kate Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this helpful guide, the Five Mindfulness Trainings (known as the Five Precepts in other Buddhist traditions) are thoroughly explained, with practices given for each. The last half of the book presents a number of ethical traditions, describing and comparing them with each other. The book closes with a summary of Buddhist ethics in simple terms, making sure that the reader understands relevant terms and concepts. This practical volume can serve as both a reference guide and a source of encouragement.

[J. Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mindfulness can sometimes seem like this daunting thing that we "have" to do, but don't have a clue as to how we start to do it. This book so eloquently and simply shares examples for how we can bring mindfulness into our everyday lives. I've always been a fan of Thich Nhat Hanh, but this is probably one of his most simple, beautiful, and Western-friendly texts. While I've practiced mindfulness and meditation for almost 10 years now, this book is a wonderful refresher and simple reminder of the small ways in which we can live our lives more mindfully.

[Michael Venturiello · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first Thich Nhat Hanh book and I'm not sure if I enjoyed it. There were some parts (especially in the beginning) where I felt at peace and mindful just in reading it. Whereas other parts, I felt confused and like he was sharing too much information at once, without going into much depth. I don't think I resonated with this book as much as I had hoped. It read more like a brief synopsis of mindfulness theory and Buddhist principles, without much depth on how to actually practice mindfulness.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book as a morning meditation read, and it was phenomenal. Explained very well the five mindfulness practices in an easy to read and understandable format. It made me think every day on what I should be changing or doing in my life, providing me with a challenge for the day. It's brought me inner peace and just a great start to my mornings. Will be reading more from this author and visiting his monastery in Escondido for a mindfulness walk and possible retreat!

[Kobi Rivlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great summery of Buddhist ethics and practices

This is very different book than other books by Thich Nhat Hanh.
It doesn’t tell stories and focuses on the mindfulness trainings in great detail and other Buddhist ethical concepts in modern plain language and the connection to practical practices that help realize them.
If I had to take one book of Thich Nhat Hanh to deserted island this would be the one.

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so grateful for the writings of Thich Nhat Hanh. During this time of global discontent and suffering the Mindfulness Survival Kit appears to be integral —and aptly named. I really appreciated that the second half of the book focused on ethic traditions. It was cool getting to understand how Buddhism relates to different forms of ethics! I definitely think I will reread this book in the future.