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A review by taurilaane
Peace is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life by Thích Nhất Hạnh
4.0
Might be a good introduction book into meditation and appreciating the nature / “mother earth”, but for me it did not say much new. Some thoughts:
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We are good at preparing to live, but not to actually live. We are willing to work very hard for something in the future, but forgetting to be in the present.
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“Mouth yoga” - a very small gentle smile like Mona Lisa (the painting from Da Vinci) will relax Your face muscles and bring instantly a better feeling - do this often. Hang something in Your house to remember doing this “Mouth Yoga” until it becomes automatic for You.
***
Mindful breathing ALWAYS slows down our thinking. Most of our automatic everyday thoughts are useless anyway. For mindful eating, try to eat in silence.
***
If You look at somebody for 5-10 seconds and really acknowledge them, it is more that most people do in a day.
***
If You are rushing towards the good in life (desert, vacation etc) then You probably will rush past it too, not really enjoying it. But if You practice being present while washing dishes, then You also will be more present on the good stuff, not wanting to rush to the next thing.
***
Western culture: “Don’t just sit there, do something!”. We should try the Eastern way, just sit there.
***
If You want more peace in Your future, You should work for more peace in the present moment. The peace will not come trough Your work towards the future, but in Your ability to find peace.
***
Western culture we want to operate bad things out, want to take pills to escape, or hit pillows for a quick relief. But we should be focusing on then reasons why the problem came in the first place, not try to get rid of it.
***
A teacher has to give birth into the teacher in the student. A therapist has to give birth to the therapist inside the patient.
***
We must NOT discipline somebody (a child etc) through anger. First we should be mindful about them. And then if discipline is needed, we do it through compassion, not trough anger.
***
Gas can be used for cooking - or to kill somebody. Electricity could be used for light - or to kill somebody. We have to understand thinks to use them for the good. We also have to understand all people, so we can bring out the colors inside them, not the darkness.
***
We are good at preparing to live, but not to actually live. We are willing to work very hard for something in the future, but forgetting to be in the present.
***
“Mouth yoga” - a very small gentle smile like Mona Lisa (the painting from Da Vinci) will relax Your face muscles and bring instantly a better feeling - do this often. Hang something in Your house to remember doing this “Mouth Yoga” until it becomes automatic for You.
***
Mindful breathing ALWAYS slows down our thinking. Most of our automatic everyday thoughts are useless anyway. For mindful eating, try to eat in silence.
***
If You look at somebody for 5-10 seconds and really acknowledge them, it is more that most people do in a day.
***
If You are rushing towards the good in life (desert, vacation etc) then You probably will rush past it too, not really enjoying it. But if You practice being present while washing dishes, then You also will be more present on the good stuff, not wanting to rush to the next thing.
***
Western culture: “Don’t just sit there, do something!”. We should try the Eastern way, just sit there.
***
If You want more peace in Your future, You should work for more peace in the present moment. The peace will not come trough Your work towards the future, but in Your ability to find peace.
***
Western culture we want to operate bad things out, want to take pills to escape, or hit pillows for a quick relief. But we should be focusing on then reasons why the problem came in the first place, not try to get rid of it.
***
A teacher has to give birth into the teacher in the student. A therapist has to give birth to the therapist inside the patient.
***
We must NOT discipline somebody (a child etc) through anger. First we should be mindful about them. And then if discipline is needed, we do it through compassion, not trough anger.
***
Gas can be used for cooking - or to kill somebody. Electricity could be used for light - or to kill somebody. We have to understand thinks to use them for the good. We also have to understand all people, so we can bring out the colors inside them, not the darkness.