Walk With Me In Sound: A Mindfulness Soundscape with Zen Buddhist Master Thich Nhat Hanh

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Brought to you by Penguin.

Slow down and breathe.

Enter the ultimate meditative listening experience, inspired by the teachings of the Zen Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh.

Based on the major documentary Walk with Me, this soundscape features narration from Benedict Cumberbatch and is introduced by Marc J. Francis, the codirector of the award-winning film.

From monastic chants to mindfulness bells and the sounds of nature, listeners will be immersed in this hour-long recording. Escape to the world famous Plum Village Monastery and find a deep sense of presence.

Walk with Me In Sound allows us to gain a new perspective on our lives and the tools to create our very own moments of stillness and calm, wherever we may be.

Audible Audio

Published August 12, 2021

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

[Tommy · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who may be unfamiliar with the life and teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh (known as Thay), this audiobook is a very light primer, providing a brief bio, a glimpse at this teachings, and mostly, the story of how a film about him and the monastics in his monestaries in France, Califorinia, and New York.

The filmmaker narrates the first 30+ minutes of this brief audiobook, explaining how he became familiar with the Vietnamese monk, became enchanted by his teachings, and came to produce a feature documentary in the final years of Thay's life.

From here, the audiobook shifts into a soundscape with narrations alternating between Buddhist actor Benedict Cumberbatch and Thich Nhat Hanh himself. These narrations are all excerpts from Thay's books and talks. There's also some brief chanting. It's a peaceful, somewhat transcendant experience, but merely skims the surface of what Thich Nhat Hanh had to offer.

For newcomers, it's a suitable introduction. For those more familiar with Thay, it's a tad redundant, but a lovely, brief invitation to experience his words anew.

For me, personally, this was more of a 3 to 3.5 star listen, but I'm giving it four stars because it's well done and well intentioned.

[Schrödinger's nap · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second half of the audio cd is great, I recommend listening with headphones on. There are moments when Benedict Cumberbatch recites some of Thich's notes and if you're listening with headphones it'll sound like Smaug is whispering in your ears.

[Valerie Thirkettle-Kayser · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice audio inspiration from the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, beautiful soundscape.

[Anjalica · Rating 5 out of 5]

🙏🙏🙏❤️