TL;DR - PEACE IS EVERY STEP
"Breathing in, I calm body and mind. Breathing out, I smile." - Thich Nhat Hanh
Book No. 18 of 2024
The idea of ‘Peace is Every Step’ by Thich Nhat Hanh is that peace is not something to achieve. Rather it’s something to embody in each moment. The idea is that it’s not about changing the world; it’s about changing how we experience the world.
Takeaways:
You are what you eat: what you feed your body and mind (food, media, relationships, etc.) literally becomes a part of you. Choose wisely.
Be mindful of your breath: when you are aware of your breath, you are aware of the present moment. Choose to live in the now.
Live meditatively: Hanh believes that everything can be a meditation (washing the dishes, eating, walking) when performed mindfully, and with all of our attention/focus.
“Interbeing”: everything is connected. A flower contains the sun, the rain, the earth. We contain our ancestors, our experiences, our environment.
Non-judgment: learn to observe your thoughts and feelings without labeling them as good or bad. Allow yourself to experience yourself fully.
Smile: the simple act of smiling can transform your mental state. It’s a mini-meditation.
Face suffering: suffering is real, do not turn a blind eye to the pain of the world, instead interact with it.
Stay open-minded. Don’t get stuck in ideological quicksand. Theories and doctrines are signposts, not the destination.
Till next time.
With love,
Diaundra