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The Pocket Thich Nhat Hanh
A treasury of writings and teachings from the beloved Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh.
Since Thich Nhat Hanh’s exile from his native Vietnam in 1966, this Zen Buddhist monk has gone on to become one of the most influential and beloved spiritual masters of our age. The seeming simplicity of his words belies the power of this teaching to touch the heart and mind and to inspire spiritual practice. These selections, taken from his many published works, together make up a concise introduction to all his major themes and distill his teachings on the transformation of individuals, relationships, and society.
This book is part of the Shambhala Pocket Library series.
The Shambhala Pocket Library is a collection of short, portable teachings from notable figures across religious traditions and classic texts. The covers in this series are rendered by Colorado artist Robert Spellman. The books in this collection distill the wisdom and heart of the work Shambhala Publications has published over 50 years into a compact format that is collectible, reader-friendly, and applicable to everyday life.
Since Thich Nhat Hanh’s exile from his native Vietnam in 1966, this Zen Buddhist monk has gone on to become one of the most influential and beloved spiritual masters of our age. The seeming simplicity of his words belies the power of this teaching to touch the heart and mind and to inspire spiritual practice. These selections, taken from his many published works, together make up a concise introduction to all his major themes and distill his teachings on the transformation of individuals, relationships, and society.
This book is part of the Shambhala Pocket Library series.
The Shambhala Pocket Library is a collection of short, portable teachings from notable figures across religious traditions and classic texts. The covers in this series are rendered by Colorado artist Robert Spellman. The books in this collection distill the wisdom and heart of the work Shambhala Publications has published over 50 years into a compact format that is collectible, reader-friendly, and applicable to everyday life.
160 pages, Paperback
First published September 11, 2012
589 people are currently reading
3091 people want to read
About the author
Thich Nhat Hanh
973 books12.8k followersThích 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.
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September 2, 2018Maybe, like me, you've taken a glance at the Thich Nhat Hanh shelf (bowing under the weight of its enlightenment) at the bookstore. And maybe you've been overwhelmed by the question of which one to choose.
The Pocket Thich Nhat Hanh, turns out, is a Reader's Digest Abridged (or Buddhism for Dummies, maybe) way to cheat. You get excerpts---all two to three pages---from all of the venerated Vietnamese monk's books (or at least a whole bunch of them).
Editor Melvin McLeod chose to divide the book into four sections: Mindfulness, Enlightenment, Emotions and Relationships, and Peace. Thus, all of his excerpts fit nicely under these categories.
Can you judge a book AS a book when it is set up like this? I suppose, but I'd rather just compliment it as an overview, knowing some will find it perfect and others dissatisfying for that exact reason. Definitely, the "expressionism" of these small bursts go from colorful dots to a fuller picture as you read. You begin to put together Thich Nhat Hanh's world view as seen through the lens of Buddhism.
Me, I'll keep it for occasional pep talks. Some of these spoke to me with greater meaning, in other words, and when I feel my good friend anger coming on, I might need a rereading of a certain part or two.
Anger = Bad, don't you know. Very bad.
The Pocket Thich Nhat Hanh, turns out, is a Reader's Digest Abridged (or Buddhism for Dummies, maybe) way to cheat. You get excerpts---all two to three pages---from all of the venerated Vietnamese monk's books (or at least a whole bunch of them).
Editor Melvin McLeod chose to divide the book into four sections: Mindfulness, Enlightenment, Emotions and Relationships, and Peace. Thus, all of his excerpts fit nicely under these categories.
Can you judge a book AS a book when it is set up like this? I suppose, but I'd rather just compliment it as an overview, knowing some will find it perfect and others dissatisfying for that exact reason. Definitely, the "expressionism" of these small bursts go from colorful dots to a fuller picture as you read. You begin to put together Thich Nhat Hanh's world view as seen through the lens of Buddhism.
Me, I'll keep it for occasional pep talks. Some of these spoke to me with greater meaning, in other words, and when I feel my good friend anger coming on, I might need a rereading of a certain part or two.
Anger = Bad, don't you know. Very bad.
January 16, 2018
I keep this book in my purse. This is the best primer on mindfulness I’ve ever read. This book will allow me to lead a happier, more fulfilled life. I will read and reread it for years to come.
January 24, 2021
Loved, loved, loved this book! I love how it is so concise, yet contains so much insight and direction. This book takes the some of the best messages that he has shared and puts them into one easy to read book. This should be required reading for every person on the planet. The information is just that good and can be used for spreading peace, compassion, and in creating a better world. Two thumbs way up! I also found many wonderful quotes in this book.
November 10, 2018
This is a wonderful book, as are all this master’s books.
It is a tiny book, which is not very practical for reading, but then again it is really a practical size to put in your pocket and carry around with you.
There are four sections – mindfulness, enlightenment, emotions and relationships, and peace.
The author informs us of the importance of resting .
When we do sitting or walking meditation we should be resting. “The Buddha said, ‘My practice is the practice of non-practice.’”
Sitting is for the pleasure of sitting, walking is for the pleasure of walking, and eating is for the pleasure of eating. We need to be 100 percent present in every moment of our daily life – this is mindfulness and is the essence of true Buddhist meditation.
“Breathing in, repeat in the here, in the here, Breathing out – in the now, in the now.”
“You allow yourself to rest, to heal, to calm.”
“We all have the ability to walk in the kingdom of God, to walk in the Pure Land of Buddha every day.”
The Kingdom of God is a reality that can be touched in everyday life. “With one mindful step, you touch the Kingdom of God.”
As you breathe in, you can say to yourself “Breathing in, I know that I am breathing in”. As you breathe out, you can say “Breathing out, I know that I am breathing out”.
After a minute of breathing mindfully, the quality of your breathing improves – it becomes calmer and longer.
Walking is an important form of Buddhist meditation. “There is a Buddha in every one of us, and we should allow the Buddha to walk,”
Becoming a Buddha is not difficult. A Buddha is someone who is enlightened, capable of loving and forgiving. “When you sit, allow the Buddha in you to sit, When you walk, allow the Buddha in you to walk.”
We can stop our fear, despair, anger and craving by practicing mindful breathing, mindful talking, mindful smiling, and deep looking.
“When we are mindful --- the fruits are always understanding, acceptance, love, and the desire to relieve suffering and bring joy.”
Our habit energies are often stronger than our volition. We say and do things we don’t want to and afterwards we regret it. But if we just smile to our habit energy, it will lose much of its strength.
Every day and every hour we should practice mindfulness. But this is not easy in practice. Therefore we should set aside one day a week to devote to the practice of mindfulness.
Remember to maintain a half-smile.
The Buddha said “I teach only suffering and the transformation of suffering.”
“Without suffering, you cannot grow. Without suffering, you cannot get the peace and joy you deserve.” You must embrace and cherish your suffering and look deeply into it. Our suffering can show us the path to liberation and reveal the way to peace.
There is nothing to attain. Our purpose is to be ourselves. “Just be. Just being in the moment in this place is the deepest practice of meditation.”
The author tells us that we should practice aimlessness for just five minutes and see how happy we are during these five minutes.
The above will give you an idea of the wisdom this inspiring, simply expressed little book contains.. Just by beginning to read it, you will start to practice mindfulness.
Now I will order yet another book by Thich Nhat Hanh, since continually reading his works reminds me to be mindful and encourages me to be “aimless”.
I highly recommend that you purchase this book.
It is a tiny book, which is not very practical for reading, but then again it is really a practical size to put in your pocket and carry around with you.
There are four sections – mindfulness, enlightenment, emotions and relationships, and peace.
The author informs us of the importance of resting .
When we do sitting or walking meditation we should be resting. “The Buddha said, ‘My practice is the practice of non-practice.’”
Sitting is for the pleasure of sitting, walking is for the pleasure of walking, and eating is for the pleasure of eating. We need to be 100 percent present in every moment of our daily life – this is mindfulness and is the essence of true Buddhist meditation.
“Breathing in, repeat in the here, in the here, Breathing out – in the now, in the now.”
“You allow yourself to rest, to heal, to calm.”
“We all have the ability to walk in the kingdom of God, to walk in the Pure Land of Buddha every day.”
The Kingdom of God is a reality that can be touched in everyday life. “With one mindful step, you touch the Kingdom of God.”
As you breathe in, you can say to yourself “Breathing in, I know that I am breathing in”. As you breathe out, you can say “Breathing out, I know that I am breathing out”.
After a minute of breathing mindfully, the quality of your breathing improves – it becomes calmer and longer.
Walking is an important form of Buddhist meditation. “There is a Buddha in every one of us, and we should allow the Buddha to walk,”
Becoming a Buddha is not difficult. A Buddha is someone who is enlightened, capable of loving and forgiving. “When you sit, allow the Buddha in you to sit, When you walk, allow the Buddha in you to walk.”
We can stop our fear, despair, anger and craving by practicing mindful breathing, mindful talking, mindful smiling, and deep looking.
“When we are mindful --- the fruits are always understanding, acceptance, love, and the desire to relieve suffering and bring joy.”
Our habit energies are often stronger than our volition. We say and do things we don’t want to and afterwards we regret it. But if we just smile to our habit energy, it will lose much of its strength.
Every day and every hour we should practice mindfulness. But this is not easy in practice. Therefore we should set aside one day a week to devote to the practice of mindfulness.
Remember to maintain a half-smile.
The Buddha said “I teach only suffering and the transformation of suffering.”
“Without suffering, you cannot grow. Without suffering, you cannot get the peace and joy you deserve.” You must embrace and cherish your suffering and look deeply into it. Our suffering can show us the path to liberation and reveal the way to peace.
There is nothing to attain. Our purpose is to be ourselves. “Just be. Just being in the moment in this place is the deepest practice of meditation.”
The author tells us that we should practice aimlessness for just five minutes and see how happy we are during these five minutes.
The above will give you an idea of the wisdom this inspiring, simply expressed little book contains.. Just by beginning to read it, you will start to practice mindfulness.
Now I will order yet another book by Thich Nhat Hanh, since continually reading his works reminds me to be mindful and encourages me to be “aimless”.
I highly recommend that you purchase this book.
April 17, 2013
Martin Luther King Jr. nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize. And I can see (read) why.
Learning Buddhist principles on living how to live a meditative, peaceful, joyful life. Dealing with anger and anxiety. Practical exercises make this book another must have.
Learning Buddhist principles on living how to live a meditative, peaceful, joyful life. Dealing with anger and anxiety. Practical exercises make this book another must have.
March 26, 2022
I am currently breathing more slowly, calmly, patiently, thanks to this pocket edition of Thich Nhat Nanh's writing. I didn't expect to read him so soon, but learning more about him was on my mind since he died earlier this year and a friend + Ocean Vuong had posted about what he meant to them.
The book is organized into four themes: Mindfulness, Enlightenment, Emotions & Relationships, and Peace. The blurb and editor's introduction prepares the reader for simple writing that should not be taken so simply. I did not find it "simple" the way Bruce Lee's Striking Thoughts felt, where it had an abstract/universal tone, but instead it was very clear and direct, even "actionable" like the 14-step suggestion of how to spend one day of the week living more mindfully.
Moments that marked me
p. 9 invest 100% - ONE HUNDRED PERCENT - of our body and mind in what we do, whether it's taking a walk, holding a cup of tea, picking up a book, opening a door
p. 46 "reserve one day out of the week to devote entirely to their practice of mindfulness" until it can become every hour of every day, "no matter how urgent the work" + "don't do any task in order to get it over with"
p. 55 re: "interbeing", the sheet of paper that the book is printed on was made possible with a cloud, with the rain that came from it, that fell upon the forest where the trees were growing, thanks also to the sunlight, and the logger that cut the tree, and the logger's parents. . .
p. 70 "There is nothing to do, nothing to realize, no program, no agenda." + "Your purpose is to be yourself." This one is so soothing to think about, for someone with a long overdue to-do list.
p. 73 no birth, no death, only manifestation and non-manifestation
p. 86-87 "You may think that your [parent] has passed away and is no longer here with you. But [their] passing away was just a pretense, and one day, when the causes and conditions are sufficient, [they] will reappear in one form or another. If you have enough insight you will be able to recognize your [parent] in [their] other forms." + "Ultimately nothing is lost."
p. 95 "We already are what we want to become. We don't have to become someone else. All we have to do is be ourselves, fully and authentically. We don't have to run after anything."
p. 134 This is me: "We all feel insecure. We don't know what the future holds. Accidents happen. A loved one may suddenly be struck by an incurable disease and die. We are not sure if we'll be alive tomorrow. This is all part of impermanence. This feeling of insecurity makes us suffer. How can we face this feeling? What is our practice? I think living deeply in the present moment is what we have to learn and practice to face this feeling of insecurity. We have to handle the present moment well. We live deeply in the present moment so that in the future we will have no regrets."
p. 166-167 Re: walking with your parents, specifically this part, given I'm estranged from my mom: "When you make a step, you may visualize that your mother is taking that step with you. This is not something difficult, because you know that your feet are a continuation of the feet of your mother. As we practice looking deeply, we see the presence of our mother in every cell of our body. Our body is also a continuation of our mother's body. When you make a step, you may say, 'Mother, walk with me.' And suddenly you feel your mother in you walking with you. You may notice that during her lifetime she did not have much chance to walk in the here and the now and to enjoy touching the earth like you. Suddenly compassion, love, is born. And that is because you can see your mother walking with you—not as something imagined but as a reality."
The book is organized into four themes: Mindfulness, Enlightenment, Emotions & Relationships, and Peace. The blurb and editor's introduction prepares the reader for simple writing that should not be taken so simply. I did not find it "simple" the way Bruce Lee's Striking Thoughts felt, where it had an abstract/universal tone, but instead it was very clear and direct, even "actionable" like the 14-step suggestion of how to spend one day of the week living more mindfully.
Moments that marked me
p. 9 invest 100% - ONE HUNDRED PERCENT - of our body and mind in what we do, whether it's taking a walk, holding a cup of tea, picking up a book, opening a door
p. 46 "reserve one day out of the week to devote entirely to their practice of mindfulness" until it can become every hour of every day, "no matter how urgent the work" + "don't do any task in order to get it over with"
p. 55 re: "interbeing", the sheet of paper that the book is printed on was made possible with a cloud, with the rain that came from it, that fell upon the forest where the trees were growing, thanks also to the sunlight, and the logger that cut the tree, and the logger's parents. . .
p. 70 "There is nothing to do, nothing to realize, no program, no agenda." + "Your purpose is to be yourself." This one is so soothing to think about, for someone with a long overdue to-do list.
p. 73 no birth, no death, only manifestation and non-manifestation
p. 86-87 "You may think that your [parent] has passed away and is no longer here with you. But [their] passing away was just a pretense, and one day, when the causes and conditions are sufficient, [they] will reappear in one form or another. If you have enough insight you will be able to recognize your [parent] in [their] other forms." + "Ultimately nothing is lost."
p. 95 "We already are what we want to become. We don't have to become someone else. All we have to do is be ourselves, fully and authentically. We don't have to run after anything."
p. 134 This is me: "We all feel insecure. We don't know what the future holds. Accidents happen. A loved one may suddenly be struck by an incurable disease and die. We are not sure if we'll be alive tomorrow. This is all part of impermanence. This feeling of insecurity makes us suffer. How can we face this feeling? What is our practice? I think living deeply in the present moment is what we have to learn and practice to face this feeling of insecurity. We have to handle the present moment well. We live deeply in the present moment so that in the future we will have no regrets."
p. 166-167 Re: walking with your parents, specifically this part, given I'm estranged from my mom: "When you make a step, you may visualize that your mother is taking that step with you. This is not something difficult, because you know that your feet are a continuation of the feet of your mother. As we practice looking deeply, we see the presence of our mother in every cell of our body. Our body is also a continuation of our mother's body. When you make a step, you may say, 'Mother, walk with me.' And suddenly you feel your mother in you walking with you. You may notice that during her lifetime she did not have much chance to walk in the here and the now and to enjoy touching the earth like you. Suddenly compassion, love, is born. And that is because you can see your mother walking with you—not as something imagined but as a reality."
May 23, 2020
Đây là cuốn thứ 2 - sau Giận của Thích Nhất Hạnh mà mình đã đọc. Mình thuộc kiểu người "đạo nào cũng theo nhưng không theo đạo nào" nên những tác phẩm mà nhắc tới tôn giáo mình cảm thấy không hứng thú lắm. Nhưng sách của Thích Nhất Hạnh lại là 1 ngoại lệ. Đọc tới đâu cảm thấy bình an tới đó. Những từ như "đã đến, bây giờ, ở đây" thường hiện trong đầu mình. Và 1 điều rõ ràng là, mình không thể cho đi những gì mình không có. Bản thân luôn không cảm thấy hạnh phúc, vui vẻ thì làm sao có thể mang điều đó tới cho người khác được. Và người có thể quyết định hạnh phúc hay không không ai khác chính bản thân ta. Cuốn sách này dành cho ai đang vô định trong hành trình tìm đến hạnh phúc của mình. Khi nào với ai ở đâu? Và tiếp tục vẫn là "đã đến, bây giờ, ở đây, ngay giây phút này". Bình an và trân quý từng phút giây của cuộc đời.
Không có con đường nào dẫn tới hạnh phúc. Vì hạnh phúc luôn đồng hành cùng ta trên mọi nẻo đường, là hạnh phúc cầm tay.
Không có con đường nào dẫn tới hạnh phúc. Vì hạnh phúc luôn đồng hành cùng ta trên mọi nẻo đường, là hạnh phúc cầm tay.
July 3, 2017
The second book from Master after Neo ve cua y. Step by step I learnt from his lessons and absorb his ideas.
This book is written in different short sections, so short that I feel really comfortable reading it.
I learnt a lot of how to be mindful and live each moment of my life as it should be. Carpe diem?
Live life to the fullest, for each moment.
This book is written in different short sections, so short that I feel really comfortable reading it.
I learnt a lot of how to be mindful and live each moment of my life as it should be. Carpe diem?
Live life to the fullest, for each moment.
November 15, 2021
Smart little book that give you some insight from Thich Nhat Hanh. Some a more about thinking and some about practicing. All of them are really short, two pages for most of them, so it makes the perfect book to read here and there, one insight each days, or each week and then thinking or practicing it. Well done like always with the Shambhala collection.
February 27, 2020
One of those books you pick up when you're down in the dumps, experienced a trauma, trying to get yourself out of it. Love how concisely this was written and it definitely had the ability to pierce through my mind's fog to get me back to mindfulness. Another good reminder kind of books.
April 20, 2022
I've seen the late Thich Nhat Hanh's name in passing for years but was woefully ignorant of his life and work until now.
I saw this pocket volume of his writings near the cash register at a favorite bookstore, found myself flipping through it and being impressed by the simple profundity of many of his sayings, and knew I wanted to buy it.
I'm not a Buddhist--I was raised Christian and still hold to those beliefs--so some of Hanh's more (for lack of a better adjective) theological statements express a different viewpoint than the one I've been raised with. That being said, there were points where I felt like it wouldn't be out of line for me to substitute "little Christ" for "bodhisattva," and the statement would have rung just as true in my own tradition.
Many of the excerpts in this pocket edition can be boiled down to a few main ideas. Mindfulness--being fully in the present and aware of your surroundings--is emphasized many times over.
One of my favorite excerpts was a selection of Hanh's thoughts on art and the creative process. Here's a passage that gives you the flavor:
"One day in New York City I met a Buddhist scholar and I told her about my practice of mindfulness in the vegetable garden. I enjoy growing lettuce, tomatoes, and other vegetables and I like to spend time gardening every day. She said, 'You shouldn't spend your time growing vegetables. You should spend more time writing poems. Your poems are so beautiful. Everyone can grow lettuce, but not everyone can write poems like you do.' I told her, 'If I don't grow lettuce, I can't write poems.'"
That's . . . pretty deep. Art needs fuel, or it dies! I'll most likely be returning to this passage often in the future. It--and many of the other sayings in this book--are worth dwelling on.
I saw this pocket volume of his writings near the cash register at a favorite bookstore, found myself flipping through it and being impressed by the simple profundity of many of his sayings, and knew I wanted to buy it.
I'm not a Buddhist--I was raised Christian and still hold to those beliefs--so some of Hanh's more (for lack of a better adjective) theological statements express a different viewpoint than the one I've been raised with. That being said, there were points where I felt like it wouldn't be out of line for me to substitute "little Christ" for "bodhisattva," and the statement would have rung just as true in my own tradition.
Many of the excerpts in this pocket edition can be boiled down to a few main ideas. Mindfulness--being fully in the present and aware of your surroundings--is emphasized many times over.
One of my favorite excerpts was a selection of Hanh's thoughts on art and the creative process. Here's a passage that gives you the flavor:
"One day in New York City I met a Buddhist scholar and I told her about my practice of mindfulness in the vegetable garden. I enjoy growing lettuce, tomatoes, and other vegetables and I like to spend time gardening every day. She said, 'You shouldn't spend your time growing vegetables. You should spend more time writing poems. Your poems are so beautiful. Everyone can grow lettuce, but not everyone can write poems like you do.' I told her, 'If I don't grow lettuce, I can't write poems.'"
That's . . . pretty deep. Art needs fuel, or it dies! I'll most likely be returning to this passage often in the future. It--and many of the other sayings in this book--are worth dwelling on.
December 16, 2022
The book is organized into four themes: Mindfulness, Enlightenment, Emotions & Relationships, and Peace. One of my big realizations was that suffering is necessary to have compassion for others. The happiest people in the world are not the ones who haven't suffered, but those who have suffered and can open their hearts with compassion and understanding towards others.
Definitely a very grounding read and will work to incorporate his thinking into my daily life.
Here are some of my favorite parts:
On freedom - "The basic condition for happiness is freedom. If there is something on your mind that you keep thinking about, then you are caught and have no freedom... Many people in our society are not happy even though the conditions for happiness already exist... Every one of us has the tendency to run. We have run all of our lives and we continue to run into the future where we think happiness is waiting..." He says you can free yourself from this habit by practicing mindful breathing and enjoying the present moment.
“Without suffering, you cannot grow. Without suffering, you cannot get the peace and joy you deserve.” You must embrace and cherish your suffering and look deeply into it. Our suffering can show us the path to liberation and reveal the way to peace.
"There is nothing to do, nothing to realize, no program, no agenda... There is nothing to attain. Our purpose is to be ourselves... Just be. Just being in the moment in this place is the deepest practice of meditation.”
"We all feel insecure. We don't know what the future holds. Accidents happen. A loved one may suddenly be struck by an incurable disease and die. We are not sure if we'll be alive tomorrow. This is all part of impermanence. This feeling of insecurity makes us suffer. How can we face this feeling? What is our practice? I think living deeply in the present moment is what we have to learn and practice to face this feeling of insecurity. We have to handle the present moment well. We live deeply in the present moment so that in the future we will have no regrets."
Definitely a very grounding read and will work to incorporate his thinking into my daily life.
Here are some of my favorite parts:
On freedom - "The basic condition for happiness is freedom. If there is something on your mind that you keep thinking about, then you are caught and have no freedom... Many people in our society are not happy even though the conditions for happiness already exist... Every one of us has the tendency to run. We have run all of our lives and we continue to run into the future where we think happiness is waiting..." He says you can free yourself from this habit by practicing mindful breathing and enjoying the present moment.
“Without suffering, you cannot grow. Without suffering, you cannot get the peace and joy you deserve.” You must embrace and cherish your suffering and look deeply into it. Our suffering can show us the path to liberation and reveal the way to peace.
"There is nothing to do, nothing to realize, no program, no agenda... There is nothing to attain. Our purpose is to be ourselves... Just be. Just being in the moment in this place is the deepest practice of meditation.”
"We all feel insecure. We don't know what the future holds. Accidents happen. A loved one may suddenly be struck by an incurable disease and die. We are not sure if we'll be alive tomorrow. This is all part of impermanence. This feeling of insecurity makes us suffer. How can we face this feeling? What is our practice? I think living deeply in the present moment is what we have to learn and practice to face this feeling of insecurity. We have to handle the present moment well. We live deeply in the present moment so that in the future we will have no regrets."
April 10, 2019
I had heard from friends of Thich Nhat Hanh, about his life story being exiled from Vietnam and his teachings on Buddhism. I had been interested in Buddhism and mindfulness and thought this would be a great introduction, it was.
I read this book a chapter or two a day, interspersed with my other readings/books. Most chapters were 1-2 pages, so it was very easy to fit in. Which is probably good, since the messages themselves are rather deep on an intellectual or spiritual level.
This book is a series of snippets of other books and teachings from the Buddhist monk. It touches lightly on various subjects, but does give a good sense of what Buddhism is and what mindfulness really is.
If you have have been curious on either subject, i would recommend it as a plausible introduction. If anything it has some great words of wisdom on how to deal with internal conflict and be a little more at peace with yourself and others around you.
While I am definitely not a converted Buddhist monk or Mindfulness guru after reading, I do feel a bit more 'enlightened'. Was definitely worth the read.
I read this book a chapter or two a day, interspersed with my other readings/books. Most chapters were 1-2 pages, so it was very easy to fit in. Which is probably good, since the messages themselves are rather deep on an intellectual or spiritual level.
This book is a series of snippets of other books and teachings from the Buddhist monk. It touches lightly on various subjects, but does give a good sense of what Buddhism is and what mindfulness really is.
If you have have been curious on either subject, i would recommend it as a plausible introduction. If anything it has some great words of wisdom on how to deal with internal conflict and be a little more at peace with yourself and others around you.
While I am definitely not a converted Buddhist monk or Mindfulness guru after reading, I do feel a bit more 'enlightened'. Was definitely worth the read.
January 26, 2022
My mental health has drastically improved in my late 20’s. I was raised without religion. When speaking with one of my friends, (lawyer with major in philosophy), he notified me that a majority of my thought processes and beliefs were Buddhist is origin. I decided to grab with off my shelf after thich nhat hanh’s death. Upon reading I see what my friend was saying. I appreciated how closely my values aligned with those in the pocket. I learned a thing or two and I always appreciate knowledge that helps me grow in a way that I can help other. I will definitely read this again and again.
July 10, 2023
Reading this book, it can sometimes feel like Thich is not saying much more than “We should be better people.” But in the same way you wouldn’t expect reading an instruction manual to result in your desk being assembled, his words should be viewed similarly.
Beautiful collection of observations about the nature of being, and the value of gratitude, empathy, compassion, & mindfulness. Just don’t forget (like me) to couple these readings with an active mindfulness practice, as prescribed on nearly every page.
Beautiful collection of observations about the nature of being, and the value of gratitude, empathy, compassion, & mindfulness. Just don’t forget (like me) to couple these readings with an active mindfulness practice, as prescribed on nearly every page.
January 16, 2021
I've never read any of Thich Nhat Hanh's books before. It is full of wisdom and it details how to live a simple and happy life. In line with Buddhist teachings, it teaches of compassion, peace and enlightenment.
There are some profound statements that when they hit you, they seem like the answers you need.
I'll definitely be checking out more of his books.
There are some profound statements that when they hit you, they seem like the answers you need.
I'll definitely be checking out more of his books.
September 20, 2024
To love is to understand, to realize, to be present, to listen, to recognize. Adored this book and the intentional nature it encourages. Will be thinking of The Pocket on my morning walks, noticing what is around me and appreciating it for simply existing…
Thank you alexa, looking forward to passing this one along for more to enjoy & learn from xx
Thank you alexa, looking forward to passing this one along for more to enjoy & learn from xx
June 28, 2022
Masterful. A collection of wisdom poured on to each page yet stated so simply that a connection to the teachings is natural and effortless. This is a wonderful collection to read over time, a couple pages here and there then let the concepts absorb.
January 10, 2023
The way this book is written is in plain English without fanciful explanations of his subject matter, yet the messages are profound. I think this book is best read slowly, in little chunks, because there are so many good messages interspersed that require time to process.
November 28, 2025
Thought I’d go to the source and read some of the oft-quoted Buddhist figure. I like that it is written in a totally non-sectarian way; very few references to the mythology, throughout more focused on the need we have as humanity to think of one another as interdependent and karmically linked, and prey to forgetting this fact due to our fickle mind. So I enjoyed dipping into these considerations very fleetingly here!
July 18, 2022
Infinite amount of wisdom to everyday life in a pocket sized book. I could not ask for anything better!
Read
September 30, 2023hit after hit bro
July 18, 2023
If you're ever interested in better understanding the core tenets of Zen Buddhism and how they relate to our everyday experience and modern life, this is an excellent place to start. ✨
August 5, 2018
Beautiful words of wisdom from one of the world's greatest spiritual leaders.
Thich Nhat Hanh is probably one of the wisest people to have ever graced the Earth.
The Pocket serves as a testament to that. Virtually every page is filled with insights so accessible that you don't need to be a Buddhist or even religious (I'm not) to appreciate. The book's wide range of topics include mindfulness, death, peace, fear, love, and relationships.
Here are a few examples:
The words that Thich Nhat Hanh shares feel like common sense, but are nonetheless refreshing and enlightening to read on the page. If you're like me and you're caught up with worries about the world's current political climate, please consider picking up anything written by Thich Nhat Hanh.
The man lived through the Vietnam war and was exiled from his home country of Vietnam for 30 years for his views. He is the epitome of quiet strength and something the world needs a lot more of these days.
This book is full of beautiful words like the ones above and reading it always has a calming effect on me.
Thich Nhat Hanh is probably one of the wisest people to have ever graced the Earth.
The Pocket serves as a testament to that. Virtually every page is filled with insights so accessible that you don't need to be a Buddhist or even religious (I'm not) to appreciate. The book's wide range of topics include mindfulness, death, peace, fear, love, and relationships.
Here are a few examples:
"If you are a poet, you will see clearly that there is a cloud floating in this sheet of paper. Without a cloud, there will be no rain; without rain, the trees cannot grow; and without trees, we cannot make paper. The cloud is essential for the paper to exist."
"Our painful feelings are not other than ourselves, or to put it more precisely, they are a part of us. To deny them is to deny our very selves. To smile to our pain is the wisest, the most intelligent, the most beautiful thing we can do."
"The daily wars that occur within our thoughts and within our families have everything to do with the wars fought between peoples and nations throughout the world. The conviction that we know the truth and that those who do not share our beliefs are wrong has caused a lot of harm."
The words that Thich Nhat Hanh shares feel like common sense, but are nonetheless refreshing and enlightening to read on the page. If you're like me and you're caught up with worries about the world's current political climate, please consider picking up anything written by Thich Nhat Hanh.
The man lived through the Vietnam war and was exiled from his home country of Vietnam for 30 years for his views. He is the epitome of quiet strength and something the world needs a lot more of these days.
This book is full of beautiful words like the ones above and reading it always has a calming effect on me.
May 11, 2021
“Hạnh phúc cầm tay” là quyển sách đầu tiên giúp mình biết đến các tác phẩm nói chung và trường phái của Sư Ông nói riêng. Tác phẩm cho ta biết thế nào là sống có chánh niệm, ăn có chánh niệm và thở cũng có chánh niệm. Cơ duyên này giúp mình có được những động lực và bằng một cách tự nguyện mình tìm đến lối sống không tiêu thụ động vật như thực phẩm, mình ăn uống một cách chánh niệm, khi ta nhai hạt gạo hay cọng cải ta có thể thấy bản thân cọng cải đó cũng như toàn vũ trụ gửi vào miệng ta những hương vị ngọt ngào, ta thấy mặt trời ở đó, mặt trăng và các yếu tố cấu thành cọng cải. Ta thấu hiểu rằng, các con vật chết đi để làm thực phẩm cho ta hẳn là trải qua đau đớn và ôm trong mình muôn vàn năng lượng tiêu cực khổ đau, ta ăn là ăn những khổ đâu oán hờn, điều ấy khiến thân tâm ta nặng trĩu và đầy bực dọc. Ngoài ra, thầy dạy chúng ta cách vỗ về em bé đang khóc hay nói cách khác là nỗi đau trong chúng ta, không nên trốn tránh mà hãy đối mặt và xoa dịu em bé ấy để tự thân ta có thể làm chổ nương tựa cho ta. Các phương pháp thực tập của thầy k mang nặng tính tôn giáo mà hướng đến trị liệu, ta có mặt trong giây phút hiện tại cho việc ta đang làm như ta biết ta đang ăn, ta biết ta đang làm việc ấy đã là tu tập rồi. Điều cần thiết là không để tâm ta lang thang trong những điều mông lung hư vô, ta kéo tâm về với thân để tâm có mặt ngay tại giây phút này bằng cách điều chỉnh hơi thở vào hơi thở ra và nhẩm niệm” tôi đang thở vào, tôi đang thở ra”. Tuy tác phẩm có chứa một số thuật ngữ khá khó hiểu cho những độc giả lần đầu tiếp xúc với thể loại sách tôn giáo nhưng chỉ cần ta kiên trì đọc ta vẫn có thể rút ra khái niệm và cách hiểu riêng cho chính mình.
June 19, 2018
"By living your life, by producing works of art, you contribute to the work of the collective awakening of our people. A bodhisattva is someone who is awake, mindful, and motivated by a desire to help others to wake up. The artist, the actor, the film-maker, the novelist may be inspired by a desire to become a bodhisattva, helping with the awakening of the people, helping them to touch the seed of joy, of peace, of happiness in themselves, helping them to remove and transform the seeds of discrimination and fear and craving. The artist can do all this. If you are motivated by that desire, you will have so much joy and energy that fame and power will not appeal to you anymore. Nothing can be compared with that kind of joy, knowing that your life on earth is beautiful and is helpful."
January 18, 2019
It is such a beautiful and deep book. The concept of interbeing is so amazing. I was also truly shaken by the idea that the book i was holding is actually a representation of the whole universe and its history. Wow! What a book!
May 28, 2019
Con cảm ơn thầy rất nhiều vì cuốn sách đã giúp con vượt qua một thời kỳ khó khăn này. Những lời thầy viết đều rất đơn giản nhưng thấm thía và cho con sức mạnh để sống bình an hơn, giản đơn hơn và chấp nhận thực tại như nó vốn thế.
December 11, 2018
Simple. Direct. Peace is every step.
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