A review by o88
Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting Through the Storm by Thích Nhất Hạnh

3.0

This one read paradoxically and is a bit out of touch with the the 'real world'. On one page he's saying there is no self and on the other he's saying to gain self-understanding. As much as he denies the self he sure does go on a lot as if we're individuals who should treat each other better. I don't think his personal philosophy is congruent with Buddhist teachings, it seems more in line with Christianity. All the stuff on reincarnation and continuing after death in some other form was poetic but ultimately "woo-woo". Yes the building blocks of our body on an atomic level continue, but his dismissal of the individual experience is off-putting to the point that I think these Zen masters have lost touch with what it means to be a human as their both wise and aloof on the human condition, but perhaps that's what happens when you take up a life of monk-hood. Furthermore, his antidote for dealing with fear using mindfulness makes me feel like he's never even remotely experienced the sort of pressure bubbles that a lot of us Westerners have been in because it won't be enough on your worst days, or perhaps i'm not deep enough into my own practice yet to see that sort of benefit. The biggest takeaway from this book was the importance of community. I have a tendency to take on challenges by myself and it really doesn't have to be that way. We are all linked in one way or another, so it's important to connect, lend a hand, and ask for help sometimes.

3/5