Author: Thich Nhat Hanh

“The Art of Living: Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now” by Thich Nhat Hanh is a profound exploration of mindfulness and its application in daily life. Here’s a detailed summary and some reviews:

Summary

In this book, Thich Nhat Hanh, a revered Zen master, presents seven transformative meditations that aim to help readers achieve peace, happiness, and freedom. These meditations are rooted in Buddhist teachings but are presented in a universal manner, making them accessible to people of all spiritual backgrounds. The key meditations include:

1. The Three Doors of Liberation: Emptiness, signlessness, and aimlessness.
2. Four Concentrations: Impermanence, non-craving, letting go, and nirvana.

Thich Nhat Hanh emphasizes that these practices are not commandments but compassionate practices born from mindfulness and insight. He illustrates how these meditations can help us understand our interconnectedness with the world, face aging and dying with curiosity and joy, and live deeply in each moment.

The book also delves into the concept of the eight bodies we possess, such as the human body, the Buddha body, the community body, and the cosmic body. These bodies represent different aspects of our existence and our connection to the universe.

Reviews

Goodreads: The book has received a rating of 4.43 out of 5 from over 8,600 readers¹. Many readers appreciate Thich Nhat Hanh’s gentle and profound writing style, which makes complex spiritual concepts accessible and practical. One reviewer mentioned that the book is a great refresher on mindfulness and staying present.

Spirituality & Practice: The reviewers highlight Thich Nhat Hanh’s ability to transform consciousness through his teachings on mindfulness and engaged Buddhism². They praise his writings on aimlessness, impermanence, and the art of letting go, noting that these teachings provide a path to happiness and peace.

Google Books: The book is described as an essential volume for understanding mindfulness and achieving happiness and freedom⁴. Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings are seen as timeless and clarifying, offering a spiritual dimension to everyday life.

Overall, “The Art of Living” is highly regarded for its insightful and compassionate approach to mindfulness and spirituality. It is recommended for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of mindfulness and live a more peaceful and fulfilling life.

Source:
(1) The Art of Living: Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now – Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60569792.
(2) The Art of Living Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now. https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/book-reviews/view/28407/the-art-of-living.
(3) The Art of Living : Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now – Google Books. https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Art_of_Living.html?id=97cIDAAAQBAJ.
(4) The art of living : peace and freedom in the here and now. https://archive.org/details/artoflivingpeace0000nhth.