Rating: 
Summary: Better Living
Review: Thich Nhat Hanh is one of the most well known Buddhist teachers in the world and most assuredly the one man most responsible for bringing Buddha and his teachings to the West. The lectures contained within this book will make any who follow their path a better human being. They show the way to more mindful Buddhism as well as the way to more mindful Christianity. To follow in such a way that you become Christ-like is the point of Christianity and the path to such a lifestyle is laid out within this book. True faith is explained better than I have ever seen it explained anywhere. Thây, as Hanh is casually known to his disciples, enlightens the Buddhist and Christian alike as well as any who would listen. The life laid out within this book is a life worth living by all human accounts, filled with joy and happiness for both one who follows this path as well as those whose lives are touched by any who live this path. Whether read for leisure or as serious study, this book will change the lives of any and all who read it for what it is, suggested living. This book is taken from lectures given at Plum Village, Thây's retreat in France. You feel as though you are receiving the lectures in person, they are invigorating. I recommend this book to all those who suffer in the smallest amount.
Rating: 
Summary: Comfortable Buddhism
Review: This book is taken from a series of Dharma talks given around Christmas at Plum Village in France. At first I couldn't understand what Thich was trying to get across. Since these talks were given years apart, the book is somewhat disjointed. The major theme seems to be acceptance and understanding of the two religions for each other. Thich is not trying to win any converts here, quite the opposite, he is trying to discourage westerners from adopting Buddhism. His premise is that our cultural heritage and our spiritual heritage are intertwined and so cannot be easily separated. He goes on to suggest that mixed marriages between Buddhists and Christians can work since the best parts of each can be blended. These statements seem meant more to appease Christians than to actual deal with the real issues. In fact, Buddhism and Christianity can be blended, but on a very superficial level. Any deeper than that and you'd be inventing a new religion. Which is what some people are attempting to do. And where's your heritage then? If you are a Christian who wants a non-threatening view of Buddhism, this book works well. If you are looking for more depth on Buddhist practice, you will have to find another book.
Rating:
Summary: addicting
Review: When I first received Going Home I looked at the print and expected it to be an easy read, which it is. However, the writing is so easily understood, and the message so clear, that I'm now reading it for the third time and each time I learn more than the last. I recommend it completely for those of us who have beliefs that won't fit into a nice, neat little box under the title of organized religion. I'm now buying all the books by this author.
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