How to Listen

Mindfulness Essentials #11

by Thich Nhat Hanh, Jason DeAntonis (illustrator)

In a time of great division and discord, our capacity to listen deeply and with compassion is paramount to solving pressing issues—across the realms of global politics, interpersonal relationships, and our own hearts and minds.In How to Listen, Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh demonstrates how deep listening is a fundamental building block of good communication. But perhaps more fundamentally, listening is central to our practice, a basic ingredient to strengthen our capacity for mindfulness, concentration, insight, and compassion. Learning how to listen with equanimity to life itself, we generate insight into the true nature of our deep connection to all things. And from this place of understanding—when we know that we aren’t separate—our capacity to listen deepens even further. With clear and gentle guidance from Thich Nhat Hanh, we learn how truly listening—to ourselves, to each other, to Mother Earth, and to the many “bells of mindfulness” that are available to us in each moment—is the foundation of our practice, an expression of love, and a solution to our deepest and most urgent large-scale conflicts. All Mindfulness Essentials books are illustrated with playful sumi-ink drawings by California artist Jason DeAntonis.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Philosophy, Self Help, Mental Health, Personal Development

128 pages, Paperback

First published September 12, 2024

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

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thich Nhat Hanh teaches us all how to slow down, go deep, pause, connect, breathe.

This would be better written as a poem.

Thich Nhat Hanh teaches us all

how to slow down,

go deep,

pause,

connect,

breathe.

In the moment.

Mindfully.

[Jake Tamagni · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion, this book is really about how to listen to yourself on a deeper level. It’s a guide on better understanding yourself, environment and surrounding (which leads to truly understanding others as well). I enjoyed how it was written in many little one or two page sections on varying prompts. A great, thought-provoking read, and I love that it’s pocket sized!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not simply about how to be a “better listener,” it is a book about how to listen well to others (colleagues, friends, children) and to listen fully to ourselves. Much information is shared in less than 120 pages, including practices for listening. I love this book for myself and also for material to include in my guided forest baths!

[jojo · Rating 4 out of 5]

listen people goddamnit

[Kushagra Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet read on (mindful) breathing in and out— the Zen master’s seemingly simple but difficult to practice insight.

[Maggie Broderick · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This book had me doing a lot of self-reflecting

[SandraViz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every book from him is worth every page. This one in particular helps you with your relationship. It includes a lot of wisdom and examples that are from our times too. My favorite exercise is to just sit with your friend, partner etc. and breathe together and listen to each other breathing. With whomever you had a fight or tens situation, this experience brings you very close and remembers how we are all the same ❤️

[Richard Derus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real Rating: 4.5* of five

The Publisher Says: In a time of great division and discord, our capacity to listen deeply and with compassion is paramount to solving pressing issues—across the realms of global politics, interpersonal relationships, and our own hearts and minds.

In How to Listen, Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh demonstrates how deep listening is a fundamental building block of good communication. But perhaps more fundamentally, listening is central to our practice, a basic ingredient to strengthen our capacity for mindfulness, concentration, insight, and compassion. Learning how to listen with equanimity to life itself, we generate insight into the true nature of our deep connection to all things. And from this place of understanding—when we know that we aren’t separate—our capacity to listen deepens even further.

With clear and gentle guidance from Thich Nhat Hanh, we learn how truly listening—to ourselves, to each other, to Mother Earth, and to the many “bells of mindfulness” that are available to us in each moment—is the foundation of our practice, an expression of love, and a solution to our deepest and most urgent large-scale conflicts.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: "Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself," said Tolstoy, and that truth has never faded or lost relevance.

When confronted by disagreement, wisdom says to listen first, then react. As a goal, that is very admirable, but largely unattainable, I hear everyone saying. I said it, too. Truth is it's hard, it's challenging, and you will fail in practicing it.

Zen practices are the butt of many jokes in the Western overculture, unsurprisingly. Google "zen koan" and imagine being presented with it sans context or preparation for the simple existence of a context where this is not intended to be humorous. Mindfulness is not natural to homo sapiens occidentalis. We're fed a constant media diet of covetousness, triumphalism, and valorized ignorance. These are the antithesis of mindfulness, its very opposite both in worldview and in the practices promoted therein.

The author was a vocal peace and mindfulness advocate most of his near-century of life. This book, charmingly illustrated by Jason DeAntonis, offers up practical steps towards a practice of mindful listening. In reading the ideas I was forcefully struck by the way they could be read: I've been at the mindfulness game for quite a while now, and began my own journey from a more or less Buddhist perspective. (My sexual preference has always been "more," so Buddhism, with its emphasis on renunciation, and I were destined to part.) These pages are full of advice for practices that can be read and applied by the novice through to the student of Buddhism. No one is left out of the benefits because there is no presumption of an expert audience.

So I hope, like the departed author, that you'll start a journey to becoming a real listener by reading and heeding his words. From the 1975 publication of The Miracle of Mindfulness through to this posthumous publication (he died in 2022), he's been making steady inroads into US and Western culture with his interlocking message of listening as a practice, and mindful existence in the modern world, in place of mere passivity and disengagement.

There is no better way to transform one's experience of the world than to be fully present in it. Starting here is not a bad idea at all.

[Cook Memorial Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 2024 Staff Nonfiction Favorite for Vijaya! For readers of I'm Right and You're an Idiot: The Toxic State of Public Discourse and How to Clean It Up by James Hoggan with Grania Litwin and The Ancient Art of Thinking for Yourself by Robin Reames.

Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore...

[Kai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Rating = 3.5
My 3rd book from him. Found this one randomly on the New Books shelf at the library. Enjoyable read but a lot of overlap from his other book The Art of Communication. It was still a good refresher. I liked the passport size book format with lots of line spacing and tons of little chapters. It was inviting and relaxing to read.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this handy little book! Every 1-2 pages focuses on a different aspect of listening. It’s based in Buddhist teachings but would be helpful for every human in my opinion. Very easy read, the kind of book you can re-read many times and keep coming back to.

[Corbin Schield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super wholesome, quick read. Full of deep and meaningful messages on being present and opening your mind and awareness to the present moment. The art of learning to focus on others and fully receive them.
Something we need much more of in our world ❤️
Great book!

[Ali Alatas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a bunch of these books. I think I need to move on.

[Jill Finnegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a lovely lovely lovely little book

[Madison Orr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like to keep this book in my bag as a reread. Hope it keeps me grounded and self-aware.

[Lucy Mackey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I will need to re read this many times to remind me to practice. It's excellent.

[Zain Koreshi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the style of writing, it was simple and soothing to read. The illustrations and segmentation of the teachings were nice too.

[Molly Dickerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

grandma gave me this. super thoughtful!

it wasn’t groundbreaking but it had some nice reminders

[William Kellett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book I have read in this series. And while each one has been helpful this particular book was the most practical and organized of the group.

[Joi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este es el numero once, realmente han sido libros de ayuda.
Thich Nhat Hanh es una isla de paz, confianza, solidez, amor y libertad.
Son tan prácticos.
Ansió leer el siguiente.

[Rachel Nazareth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book. It really made me realize how important it is to listen to my friends, family and my son, with a more open heart.

[Andrew Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very beautiful read / reminder

[Madeline Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love him

All his books make so much sense to me. I wish I had a community around me to practice his words more. I love how short and simple and sweet his books are.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short but nice reflections.

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ran into this at a bookstore and feeling grateful I picked it up. Not only a good reminder on how to listen but also how to set boundaries while listening too.

[Irati · Rating 3 out of 5]

Agradables y cortas reflexiones que siempre son buen acompañamiento.