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Hiking Zen: Train Your Mind in Nature
Discover the joy of mindful walking and hiking, cultivate deep connection with the world around you, and ultimately embrace the path of happiness as a way of life
A mobile monastery to stick in your pack whenever you go out on the trail, this book by veteran hikers and Buddhist monks Phap Luu and Phap Xa offers mindfulness practices to explore as you walk to generate inner and outer peace.
Grounded in the rich traditions of Zen practice, this book invites you to experience the fundamental connection between humans and the natural world.
Hiking Zen
concrete mindfulness practices to explore outside for peace, joy, and belongingactionable steps to weave mindful walking into the fabric of daily life nuggets of wisdom gleaned from leading multi-week mindful hiking retreatspersonal narratives of the monastic path insight into how connection with nature supports resiliency and collective and personal health and well-being
A mobile monastery to stick in your pack whenever you go out on the trail, this book by veteran hikers and Buddhist monks Phap Luu and Phap Xa offers mindfulness practices to explore as you walk to generate inner and outer peace.
Grounded in the rich traditions of Zen practice, this book invites you to experience the fundamental connection between humans and the natural world.
Hiking Zen
concrete mindfulness practices to explore outside for peace, joy, and belongingactionable steps to weave mindful walking into the fabric of daily life nuggets of wisdom gleaned from leading multi-week mindful hiking retreatspersonal narratives of the monastic path insight into how connection with nature supports resiliency and collective and personal health and well-being
- GenresBuddhismNatureNonfiction
172 pages, Paperback
Published May 27, 2025
33 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 17, 2026
"Awareness of our cellular connection to everything around us can be a sword that cuts through the illusion of our felt isolation."
"There are many seeds in our minds. Our hearts and our minds are like gardens, each full of beautiful flowers and beautiful seeds — the potential for happiness, generosity, kindness, and love.
...
Skillful action comes out of love, a love we feel for all species — including the human species — and our planet. It does not come from despair. Love is insight, love is understanding. This is the fertile soil in which our actions want to grow."
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Sharing a few of my favorite gems of wisdom from the book above! I found Hiking Zen to be a wonderful read- equal parts monastic personal anecdotes, introduction to zen principles, and actionable mindfulness exercises for the reader to practice. Easy read and very digestible, but profound in its simplicity.
"There are many seeds in our minds. Our hearts and our minds are like gardens, each full of beautiful flowers and beautiful seeds — the potential for happiness, generosity, kindness, and love.
...
Skillful action comes out of love, a love we feel for all species — including the human species — and our planet. It does not come from despair. Love is insight, love is understanding. This is the fertile soil in which our actions want to grow."
---
Sharing a few of my favorite gems of wisdom from the book above! I found Hiking Zen to be a wonderful read- equal parts monastic personal anecdotes, introduction to zen principles, and actionable mindfulness exercises for the reader to practice. Easy read and very digestible, but profound in its simplicity.
July 19, 2025
“Hiking Zen” is truly a pioneering book to help us Train our Mind in Nature.
We recently completed the 102-mile Cotswold Way trail in the UK; complete with “Hiking Zen” as our companion. Some of the most beautiful moments on the trail for us were when we stopped walking, came back to our breath, closed our eyes, raised our heads upwards towards the sun and felt the shafts of light penetrating each of us respectively. When we opened our eyes, we felt transformed; as we continued along the path with each step; each breath without destination.
“Hiking Zen” also transcends hiking. I bring this book with me when I practice with those who are incarcerated. We began with Chapter Five: “Transforming Strong Emotions” and continued from there.
“Hiking Zen” is not only a once read; it can be utilized as a reference book for many needs other than hiking. The stories told by Brother Phap Luu and Brother Phap Xa in “Hiking Zen” are very honest, personal and insightful.
I recommend “Hiking Zen” to anyone interested in deepening their connection with nature and with themselves.
Konrad Sheehan
Chân Thí Trú ~ True Generous Dwelling
We recently completed the 102-mile Cotswold Way trail in the UK; complete with “Hiking Zen” as our companion. Some of the most beautiful moments on the trail for us were when we stopped walking, came back to our breath, closed our eyes, raised our heads upwards towards the sun and felt the shafts of light penetrating each of us respectively. When we opened our eyes, we felt transformed; as we continued along the path with each step; each breath without destination.
“Hiking Zen” also transcends hiking. I bring this book with me when I practice with those who are incarcerated. We began with Chapter Five: “Transforming Strong Emotions” and continued from there.
“Hiking Zen” is not only a once read; it can be utilized as a reference book for many needs other than hiking. The stories told by Brother Phap Luu and Brother Phap Xa in “Hiking Zen” are very honest, personal and insightful.
I recommend “Hiking Zen” to anyone interested in deepening their connection with nature and with themselves.
Konrad Sheehan
Chân Thí Trú ~ True Generous Dwelling
December 30, 2025
I've implemented and share some of the mindful walking practices from this book. They've helped me slow down, stop ruminating and be in the present moment.
The practice guides are well laid out, easy to start practicing, and varied. The stories are relevant and relatable. This is a book I enjoyed reading and plan to keep referencing.
The practice guides are well laid out, easy to start practicing, and varied. The stories are relevant and relatable. This is a book I enjoyed reading and plan to keep referencing.
June 29, 2025
Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh encouraged hikers, “do not betray the streams and the forests.” In this book, the venerable monks share their experiences and recommendations on following this advice.
September 2, 2025
Excellent companion for a weekend hiking the backcountry
November 22, 2025
Easy to read basic introduction to mindfulness through walking.
January 18, 2026
I loved the interwoven story telling with practical and useful meditations. Looking forward to using these tools and enjoying mindfulness in nature and walking!
September 15, 2025
This is me and my bestie’s BIBLE. We frequently read passages or do practices together, and I gift it to all of my friends and family. It is a perfect introduction to mindfulness, starting with simple ideas and stories, and offering the reader a complete practice by the end. The book reads simply but the lessons shared speak to the depths of my soul. I love this book so much.
July 19, 2025
Hiking Zen is a 10 out of 10
There's so much honesty and
wisdom and teaching
within the covers of this book.
Hiking Zen is a kind companion
as we journey along our path;
as we breath and walk and see.
There's so much honesty and
wisdom and teaching
within the covers of this book.
Hiking Zen is a kind companion
as we journey along our path;
as we breath and walk and see.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews