Zen teacher, writer, poet, and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh sees this everyday spirituality gem as a continuation of his classic books The Miracle of Mindfulness and Peace Is Every Step. At the heart of this practical work is spiritual practice that can be done anytime during the day or night when we cultivate full presence, mindfulness, and focus. Thich Nhat Hahn gives us plenty of opportunities to locate beauty, peace, joy, and love within our ordinary activities such as washing our face, brushing our teeth, and preparing and then eating breakfast.
Interspersed with quotes in calligraphy, we are guided through short and pungent reflections on breaking out of the prisons of the past, being solid as a mountain, doing mindful consumption, concentrating the mind, and nurturing boundless love and deep, compassionate listening. Of course, we are great devotees of gathas "that we can recite during our daily activities to help us return to the present moment and dwell in mindfulness." Here are a few new ones:
"Opening the window, I encounter the ultimate.
How wondrous is life!
Attentive to each moment,
my mind is clear like a calm river."
"Putting on these clothes,
I am grateful to those who made them
and to the materials from which they were made.
I wish everyone could have enough to wear."
"As I clean
this fresh, calm room,
boundless joy
and energy arise!"
