I enjoyed reading this book. It was well written and the concepts easy to understand.

While this is a great book for anyone interested in meditation, I highly recommend it to people in recovery from the effects of trauma.

The concept of mindfulness was first introduced to me in therapy, due to years of PTSD symptoms. This book was an enormous help and has aided in my healing. Thich Nhat Hahn teaches, through anecdotes, short stories and exercises, how to be self-aware and mentally present in day-to-day life. For anyone who's experienced severe trauma, you know that mental escape can be a more desirable way of living, especially when dealing with flashbacks & nightmares. I've learned from this book how to live in the moment and also how to create a feeling of calm/relaxation even when I am triggered. I never thought it would be possible, but with practice, it is.

This author has a unique ability to boil down a concept to a simple easily understood recipe that most people can quickly grasp. He has written a Manual on Mindfulness meditation in a 148 page back pocket sized book. It contains picturesque examples and a choice of a variety of exercises that the reader can use to enjoy life in the moment and appreciate the interrelationship of all things.

Nhat Hanh's Mindfulness exercises teach us to become aware of the miracle of life. We do not think of things as being good or bad, we simply observe them as they are breathing, observing, appreciating, and letting thoughts pass. We practice and live our life in mindfulness of and the interrelationship to all things. When we eat a tangerine, for example, we do so thinking and enjoying exactly what we are doing in the moment. Our mind is not on what we will do when we are finished with the task at hand or day dreaming about something else. We feel the texture of the tangerine as we peel it. We note the spray and fragrance that the fruit releases during the process. We taste each juicy bite and enjoy the succulent fruit being thoroughly chewed and swallowed in the moment. We take the time to pause and think of the mother of the fruit, the tree and how the flowers and leafs are bathed by the sun and rain. We imagine the bee's pollinating the flowery tree. We appreciate tree roots roll receiving and transmitting the earth's nourishment and the rains moisture.

In addition to awakening us to what is, Hanh teaches us to liberate our hearts and minds from incorrect thinking and to have compassion for those not yet awakened to truth.

Thich Nhat Hanh wrote "The Miracle of Mindfulness" in 1974 to help the politically-neutral aid workers in Vietnam deal with the trauma of war and the challenges of their work. The book is a remarkable reminder of the power we have to be effective, and that power is rooted in our willingness to bring attention to exactly where we are.

What I really appreciate about this book is that it is about "Engaged Buddhism." In this school, awareness is not just something you gain sitting still in meditation. Rather Hahn emphasizes that awareness can also be gleaned and expressed when you get to work in your life!

If what you seek is practical enlightenment, I suggest you read any of Ariel and Shya Kanes' books: Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: A Book About Instantaneous Transformation,How To Create a Magical Relationship,Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment. Like Hahn, the Kanes support their readers in gaining and utilizing awareness in a way that is clearly effective, both personally and globally!

Thich Nhat Hanh wrote "The Miracle of Mindfulness" in 1974 to help the politically-neutral aid workers in Vietnam deal with the trauma of war and the challenges of their work. The book is a remarkable reminder of the power we have to be effective, and that power is rooted in our willingness to bring attention to exactly where we are.

What I really appreciate about this book is that it is about "Engaged Buddhism." In this school, awareness is not just something you gain sitting still in meditation. Rather Hahn emphasizes that awareness can also be gleaned and expressed when you get to work in your life!

If what you seek is practical enlightenment, I suggest you read any of Ariel and Shya Kanes' books: Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: A Book About Instantaneous Transformation,Working on Your Relationship Doesn't Work, A Transformational Approach to Creating Magical Relationships,Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment. Like Hahn, the Kanes support their readers in gaining and utilizing awareness in a way that is clearly effective, both personally and globally!

This is a great book for anyone interested in meditation. Since mindfulness is at the core of meditation this book helps to explain not only what mindfulness is but how to put it into practice by making mindfulness part of ones daily life. A gem of a book. khudos to Thich Nhat Hanh.

Interesting, easy to read and follow the author. Didn't agree with everything, but overall it's alright. I had to read it for a class.
Book received as described by the seller.

This is a lovely book with many practical tips on meditating.

My particular favourite is the reference to 'washing the dishes to wash the dishes' - the idea of living in the present and enjoying tasks that we all want to put off. By focusing on the job in hand and not ruminating or thinking about what we are going to do next, Hanh rewards the reader with very simple but profound advice. - my dishes have never been cleaner and my mind is certainly less cluttered as a result!

The OTHER authority on Mindfulness Meditation is Jon Kabat Zinn. But Zinns' book: Full Catastrophe Living is way too detailed (and long at 450 pgs.), as one might expect from a graduate of MIT - which is what Zinn is. By contrast, the OTHER authority on Mindfulness (there are only two according to the online encyclopedia - Wikipedia): Thich Nhat Hanh has written a book on Mindfulness entitled: The Miracle of Mindfulness which is only 140 pages long.

After I studied Zinn, Hanh absolutely blew me away with his simplicity, and his clarity, and his positivity. And Hanh quickly left me wondering whether he does in fact speak with the voice of the Buddha. And an example of Thich Nhat Hanh's positive approach to Buddhist Mindfulness meditation is that he emphasizes practice of the "half-smile;" as in: "Breathing in I calm my body. Breathing out I smile." - There is no such happiness orientation in Zinn's writings.

And although Zinn graduated from MIT, which is impressive, - Thich Nhat Hanh, is infinitely more academically impressive. Thich Nhat Hanh studied Comparative Religion at Princeton, and then he taught Buddhist Psychology and Literature at Cornell and Columbia after having taught this at a prestigious private university (which he himself established) in Vietnam. Hahn also wrote over 70 books, approximately 40 of which have been translated into English. Also, Martin Luther King nominated Hahn for the Noble Peace Prize. Also, Hahn established relief agencies for war victims in Vietnam; as well as having established monasteries in Vietnam, in France, and in the United States.

Also, Thich Nhat Hanh has been endorsed by two of the greatest living Buddhist authorities alive today, namely by the Dalai Lama; and by Sogyal Rinpoche - who said of Hanh: "Thich Nhat Hanh writes with the voice of the Buddha." By contrast Zinn has been endorsed by NO living Buddhist authorities other than Thich Nhat Hanh himself - who endorsed only Zinn's most recent book: Wherever You Go, There You are.

This book is very simple, yet inspiring. It is the kind of book that you can read, put down for a few weeks and then start reading again. The suggestions are easy to implement and make a huge difference in stress levels. I recommend this book for someone who would like to start the meditation process but doesn't really know how to get started.

The Miracle of Mindfulness is a wonderful introduction to the practice of meditation. It's written simply with examples from everyday living that allow the reader to relate to his/her life. Thich Nhat Hanh teaches practical exercises in quiet breathing and skills of mindfullness. This is a book I read and reread often, especially in the quiet of my evening.

Finally a book with exercises and explanations that actually work. As a Vietnam combat veteran, twice wounded, who had to make casualty calls when I returned stateside, forty years of anger and PTSD have finally found their match in "The Miracle of Mindfulness."

Today, when thousands of Iraqi and Gulf War veterans begin to realize they need a remedy to their troubles, I recommend this book number one as well as several other of Thich Nhat Hanh's books.

How ironic--A Vietnamese Buddhist responds and provides peace to a veteran who helped bomb and destroy his people and his country.

Fred Tomasello Jr.

As I graduated Nursing School and with free time on my hand before working, I opened "Miracles of Mindfulness" I found "Miracles of Mindfulness" inspiring and indeed a miracle-- it teaches us how to find joy and peace right now in the present moment by using our breathing and being mindful of our breath :-) Reading it, I felt a sense of calm and peacefulness. As nurses and health care professionals, we have to take good care of our patients and sometimes it could become very stressful because we have to do many tasks. One of my friends who is also a nurse has asks me about peace book--and Peace Is Every Step is what I recommend to her. I highly recommed this book to any other readers in addition to Peace Is Every Step. This book is truly a gift-- it will make you happy and peaceful. The practice in this book can be applied by everyone from all walk of life :-)

Worth every penny. I'll read it more than once. It was truly a gift.

In simple, plain language, Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk and well known peace activist, gently explains the daily practice of mindfulness (meditation) inviting us to discover personal transformation in ordinary, everyday tasks. He includes no anecdotes drawn from professional work; he quotes little poetry. You'll find no references to other writers and their books on this topic nor any reference to other fields of human achievement. Nhat Hahn's teachings are based on the practice that has permeated his life and thus ring with authenticity. Also authentic are the books concerning awareness written by Deepak Chopra. However, Chopra weaves a glittering tapestry of provocative professional experiences integrated with the words and beliefs of Indian gurus decorated with the verses of Rumi, references to famous authors and art masterpieces and awash with strategies to reveal the Self. A dazzling work of genius. In contrast, Nhat Hahn presents his work garbed in humble cloth and sandeled feet. He tells us how to turn mundane tasks into mindful meditative practices regarding such events as washing dishes, taking a bath, or making tea as opportunities to dwell deeply in the moment transforming an ordinary event into a deeply spiritual one. It is through these small events of awareness, Nhat Hahn explains, that large events are born that can change the world. In a culture largely obsessed with activity, Thich Nhat Hahn calmy shows us that true power is available to us in ordinary human tasks.

In a simple, yet profound, way...almost conversational....the author helps the reader to answer questions like "Am I here now?", "Am I actually aware of what I am doing?", "Are my body and my mind in the same place?". He uses simple illustrations, such as washing dishes or walking up a hill, to help the reader become aware of his own actions.

The book is a useful adjunct to other mindfulness and meditation books, as well, I think, as cognitive therapy (rational-emotive therapy).

It's a book to own, to live with, to go back to...to give and to recommend.

This is really a wonderful Dharma book to be applied by anyone interested in meditation. With great simplicity and love, Nhat Hanh shows as that with practice and perseverance anyone can turn most of one's daily life activities into meditation, therefore improving your sitting meditation sessions as well. Washing the dishes mindfully, eating mindfully, and therefore living mindfully is truly a miracle and an act of Love in the land of the Buddha!

In this book Thich Hanh explains that whatever you are doing focus on it, do it as if it is the most important thing in the world. It reminds me of verse from the Bible, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might".

This book has a wonderful story that will answer the three most important questions:
What is the best time to do each thing?Answer: NOW (Right action)
Who are the most important people to work with? Answer: The person you are with at that moment.
What is the most important thing to do at all times? Answer: The right thing(Noble eightfold path).

I would like to sum up this book as "Mindfulness is living through your senses, mindlessness is living through your imagination".

This book is a great starting point for practicing Mindfulness.

This book leaves me speechless. It has changed my life, helping me to be more mindful, which helps me live in the present. (I would have never thought to type such a sentence even one year ago, but midlife has taught me the enormous enjoyment that the present offers.) The lessons can be learned and practiced immediately. Moments after starting it, I had become more able to listen to others, to relax, to enjoy life more fully.

Nominated for the 1967 Nobel Peace Price by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Thich Nhat Hanh teaches how to turn the small moments of daily life -- washing dishes, driving the car -- into meaningful engagement.

If you are willing to read only one book on finding inner peace, on learning to meditate, on living in the present, here is that book. It is short and sweet -- and very accessible, not pie-in-the-sky philosophical.

Mindfulness surely is the Way to a successful and tranquil life experience and this book concisely describes the techniques of this miracle. Its a must have for those wanting to live rather than exist.


Author, Your Daily Walk with the Great Minds

Thich Nhat Hanh has a great way of mixing teaching with story. He does so in all the books of his I have read. I think this book is particularly useful for those who are interested in mindfulness but not so interested in Buddhism. Certainly the concept of providing the focus and concentration you get from meditation within all areas of your life is very attractive and he provides practical tips on how to do this as a layperson.

I am still working on doing what is written in this book. Though all the concepts explained are simple, I find it hard to practice. Only repetitive and persistent effort within our lives can bring us true benefit of meditation. All the book is saying is to focus on our breath. I am still working on returning to the basic - a simple breath. It is so easy to get preoccupied with normal busy thoughts, forgetting the basic of the basic - breathing.

This book is something I need to read and re-read once in a while to get myself back to the basic. Now I realize that if I cannot live a basic life I cannot truly live a life. It took a while for me to know that this book is telling me something fundamental to all humans.

From this book I learned how to be present with everyday events, such as washing the dishes-feeling the water, the weight of the cup, etc. and about when I walk to feel the wind, the movement of my body, my feet touching the ground. From there I practiced being aware of all my actions and thoughts and viewed them as meditation, basically I learned to pay attention to what I am doing, when I am doing it.

Thay's writings often seem so simple as to be simplistic or childish, but spend a little quality time with this book (or any of his huge output) and you'll realize that, like other great spiritual teachers, his words have a profoundly life-changing quality. In this classic text, he explains in simple poetic language the basics of meditation practice; what to do, what to expect, and why it's an important and meaningful practice. The operative word in Thay's teaching is PRACTICE, and he really does mean "practice" as if you were learning to play the piano or to play tennis. If absorbed and worked at every day, preferrably in the context of daily meditation as well as the normal interactions of daily life, these teachings have the power to create peace and joy for you and those with whom you live and work. This is the beauty of Buddhist teaching in general and the teachings of TNH in particular: they are not complex theological constructs but simple, practical steps designed to make you happy!

Most likely Thich Nhat Hanh's most popular and compelling work, Miracle of Mindfulness is as much about being mindful of your thoughts and consciousness as it is about just trying to relax in order to attain a sense of clarity. In a time of extreme angst and hasty deliberations, this book is an antidote to civilization. In a move that is reminiscent of Krishnamurti, he brings such mundane things as washing dishes alive through a sense of mindfulness and actually "being there" when doing things like daily chores. It gives one's life a sense of vitality and energy where there were once discordant thoughts. This world famous Buddhist of the Zen tradition presents a step-by-step approach that will appeal to all but especially to the self-help enthusiast out there with his begging bowl seeking gems of wisdom. This is by no means a trivial book and provides an extremely interesting counterpoint to books out there dealing with self-help. If we are to effect positive change in the world, we need to start from the inside - find that "happy place" and proceed with a sense of calm that allows us to find the road - to ourselves.

Miguel Llora

This book shows you how simple it is to live in the moment if you really want to. It takes the mystery away from meditation. This is a book that you read over and over again. I don't want to give the impression that this book is ONLY for beginners. This book helps flesh out the basics of mindfulness that are necessary to keep with you always. I highly recommend it.

A total disappointment. This book just tells you you have to be mindful of what you are doing, with little detials showing you how to achieve the mindfulness. A complete waste of money.

That said I have to say that I am quite impressed by some of the other books written by the author.

This little treatise is nothing less than a handbook for more effective, more joyful living. Thich Nhat Hanh has a beautifully simple, wonderfully direct manner of communicating the need to live mindfully, and using the practice of meditation as a means for becoming more mindful. Living in exile in Paris, this humble Vietnamese monk has worked tirelessly for decades, living his religion of compassion for the poor and orphaned in his native Vietnam. He is a living testament to the power of mindful living.

In addition to being a treat for your mind, Thich Nhat Hanh provides a number of exercises that help the student of meditation begin the process of focusing and concentrating on the moment at hand. It is a book that will be especially of value to those who are just beginning to meditate, (which is where I find myself), though I expect that as with most things written by wise people, the experienced student of meditation will find much of value as well.

This is not a book about Buddhism. It draws very heavily on the path to enlightenment that the Buddha taught as his fourth Noble Truth, but this book is first and foremost about mindful living. In that sense, it is completely accessible to the Christian, Jewish, agnostic or anyone else who recognizes the power of meditation in acheiving a degree of personal enlightenment. Thich Nhat Hanh has written extensively on the relationship between the principles taught by the Buddha and Jesus, and he is ever mindful of the needs of his Christian/Western audience as well as that of his Buddhist audience. Regardless of your religious orientation, you will find this little book to be an effective guide to living mindfully, completely and with joy.

In the past year my marriage has had problems, I've lost tons of money and I've had a non-stop cold/toothache. I was the reverse of mindfullness. Everywhere I looked I saw people who were smiling and I couldn't understand what inner resources they had that would allow them to do it. I started to meditate but it was difficult. I dubbed myself 'the worse meditator'. I couldn't focus at all. I was constantly adding up the numbers in my various accounts and trying to figure to figure out how get above zero. This book was incredible for me. It put new light in the definition of 'practice'. Meditation is just practice for post-meditation. Suddenly, everything became a meditation. Watching tv. Driving a car. Typing on the computer. Writing an amazon review. I'm still pretty crappy at meditating. But now I'm having more fun doing everything else thanks to this book.

Any book by Thich Naht Hahn is a good bet.

I remember when I was a student at the Dharmadhatu Center of Los Angeles. The rules were to simply meditate and that was it! The same with Hindu Yoga. The same with all Eastern paths. Then I stumbled on this book. It was wonderful. Did you know that you can put in as little as 10 minutes a day of sitting meditation and then apply this mindfulness of breath to "washing the dishes"? Later, apply mindfulness (being aware) to taking a bath. To eating. Well, you will meditate now for 1 hour a day. In fact, Buddhist Masters state that minfulness in daily life is more important than the actual sitting meditation! Buy this book and become a 16-hour a day meditator. Doing "TV meditation", "conversation meditation", "telephone meditation", "cooking meditation". you name it. Nhat Hanh gives a variety of sitting meditations. Pick the one that feels right. Then do the meditation in daily life. Right now, I am doing "write a review meditation". I wasn't at first. But I am presently. The feel of everything that is happening in the present. Good luck.

I absolutely recommend reading this book. This book is for the unfortunate majority of people in the world, myself included, which wastes too much time and energy thinking/worrying about past events or about the future. This book encourages people to enjoy life by living in the present.