Touching Peace

Rating:
Summary: Easy to read, right to the point book.
Review: Almost immediately when reading this book, I felt a sense of relief by the book's emphasis on breathing exercises and certain attitudinal healing that works to improve your own personal level of peace (internal and otherwise). I actually was putting Hahn's techniques into practice while reading the book, very helpful! I found certain eastern spiritual practices covered like Samsara, Sangha Building,etc. very mind opening and worthy of of putting into practice as a means of optimizing my spiritual life. A great book for those interested in meditation and spiritual growth.

Rating:
Summary: Great reading for beginners in Buddhism
Review: I was looking for Buddhist writings that were down to earth and relevant to modern Western lifestyle. Being Peace and Touching Peace are just that. They are simple, approachable, and meaningful. I was instantly able to apply what I learned and my practice is better for it.

Rating:
Summary: Great reading for beginners in Buddhism
Review: I was looking for Buddhist writings that were down to earth and relevant to modern Western lifestyle. Being Peace and Touching Peace are just that. They are simple, approachable, and meaningful. I was instantly able to apply what I learned and my practice is better for it.

Rating:
Summary: Community Building
Review: In this book Thich Nhat Hanh addresses a mindful community. He starts with the individual and peace within. From there he moves to creating peace and harmony within relationships with another person. The last is the community.

This book was written during the first Gulf "Conflict" and his feelings on that are included in this book. It's always inspiring to read about philosophical leaders who are generally regarded as pacificts yet angry and frustrated about things that happen in the world arena. Illustrating how they mentally frame them.

In 1967 Martin Luther King Jr. nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize. He was raised in Viet Nam and was present during the VietNam war. His village "Plum Village" is in France and he teaches world-wide. His "style" (for lack of better word) brings another beautiful dimension to the endlessly facinating philosophy of Buddhism. A "philosophy" that, from India, Tibet or Japan, still eschews the main underlying principles of peace, compassion and non-violence.

He also wrote another book, which I have not read yet, comparing Buddha to Jesus as brothers in peace. Maybe we all should read that one.


Rating:
Summary: Phenominal
Review: Thich Nhat Hanh is a fantastic writer. When I first developed an interest in Buddhist teachings, I was a little reluctant to pick up a lot of books for fear that they would be 150 pages of obscure metaphores. In Thich Nhat Hanh's case (especially with this book) he brings a sense of friendship to the reader from the first couple of pages. Also, he makes what he's writing about very undrstandable. I don't really read very much at all, but I finished this book the night after I bought it. Excellent in all aspects.

Rating:
Summary: A Friendly Chat
Review: This was a really good read for several reasons. One reason i gave it a 5 is that the authors personality is strong throughout the book, as if he were in the room. This makes for a great read that is more like a friendly chat than anything. Another great part of this book is the emphasis on mindfulness. If you like this part of the book, you may want to check out Jiddu Krishnamurti's works as well. But the best thing i found about this book was the Sangra (or community) building section. Our happiness does depend very much on other people, so living in peace with the people close to you is very important. This book shows how to make the most of each others presence and our lives.