Touching the Earth: Intimate Conversations with the Buddha

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Based on the loving kindness and compassion meditation of the Lotus Sutra, Touching the Earth contains one of the most popular and transformative practices of Thich Nhat Hanh.

Written as a poetic conversation with the Buddha, it is a step-by-step guidebook to the practice of "Beginning Anew." Thich Nhat Hanh describes it as having the capacity to put an end to obstacles brought about by wrongdoing in the past and to give our feeling of the joy of being alive a chance to return. According to many of his students who are deeply touched by this practice, it can help to renew our faith and develop our compassion as it presents an opportunity to heal our relationships through forgiveness and embrace our ancestors, parents, teachers and ourselves.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Religion, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Philosophy, Meditation

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

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

[Bradley Farless · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting but it wasn't quite what I expected. The edition that I borrowed from the library through OverDrive wound up being a recording of a live session that included a talk by Thich Nhat Hanh and a guided meditation. It was nice, but I think I would have preferred the actual audiobook because it probably had more information.

[Kiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book and it was very relaxing.

[LeeAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heard about this author in my wellness course, and when one person mentioned him, a chorus of people echoed praises. I liked how this book opened with a call to empty ourselves of an attachment to permanence.

[Tomek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can a book be nuanced and trite at the same time?

[Jenny Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely meditation.

[Serge Larose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rented this as an audiobook through my library provider. The audio quality was mediocre, the message was good. I’m curious to learn and read more about Thich Nhat Hanh.

[Donald Lanham · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a big fan of guided meditation.

[Jeffrey Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very meditative audio book. I listened while watering in the garden at twilight.

[Anjalica · Rating 5 out of 5]

🙏🙏🙏

[Sparrow Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, thought provoking daily meditations.

[Mirek Bùi Thanh Bình · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has some really nice mantras.

[Ardi · Rating 3 out of 5]

My friend left this book in our car which led me to read into it.

I do not have a religion, but I believe in spirituality. Everyday my belief changes. I rationalise things as I go, and I accept them as I please. I do not think it is necessary for me to label myself if my faith is not set in stone. I was nurtured in a Roman Catholic environment, but never really grasped the whole ideology. This book therefore introduced me to a whole new understanding of spirituality. With Catholicism and Buddhism, the teachings in terms of morality, are practically the same. It just differs in a sense that I think, Buddhism is a bit more "hippie", which I admire. The thought of "worshipping" the world we live in, being one with everyone, and living simply are good concepts to embrace. It makes everything uncomplicated. There are things that made my eyes roll, but I guess, it's just the same with Christianity that they are imaginative enough to create a world that would make their lives easier and if that's what makes them sleep at night then so be it. I'm a bit envious, really, for them to have such a strong faith, blocking out the cruelty in the world.

The main thing that I would like to incorporate in my life that I got from this book is meditation. Just minutes of silence, upright position, eyes closed, no thoughts, inhale, exhale. Feeling the moment, you could say. Living in the present.

[Derreck Bacon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me

[Joseph Saborio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not actually finished, but our work with this book is done. An excellent inspirational and motivational work that looks deeply into daily life and practice, transforming them into the awe-inspiring things that they are.
At first I found Thich Nhat Hanh's invocations of the Buddha at the start of his "sections" as a bit too reminiscent of prayers for intercession. I have come to accept and understand them as, yes, a sort of request for intercession, but an intercession that must come from inside ourselves.

[Dariosk · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I were a Zen Master I would hit this book with a stick!

Why so serious?
Of course I'm no master... but this book smells so much
of religious mumbo jumbo... I'm glad my journey took me to
masters that give it to me straight up.