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Summary: A practical link between thoughts and actions...
Review: Ever sit down in a chair, grab a big bowl of popcorn and watch a movie? Ever notice too late that you're full, but you didn't realize it and now your stomach hurts? Such are the consequences of mindless eating. It's hard on the furniture, isn't it? You feel rotten for being a glutton. You feel sick from the popcorn. It sucks.Sure, we've all done it. What this wonderful book strives to teach us is that mindful activities are meaningful activities, that eating without thinking is harmful to the body *and* the spirit. Indeed, any activity can become a meditation - walking, bathing, washing dishes, cleaning the bathroom (!). And it all starts with breathing, and thinking about breathing. If you drive in traffic, get this book and road rage will be a thing of the past. The art in this book is fitting - simple sketches and paintings of simple things. That is fitting and fits the message - nothing is mundane if done thoughtfully. Please, don't be afraid of this book. This is not weird New Age stuff that promises happiness in twelve chapters. Waking up is non-sectarian. It is also very, very difficult. And you will wax and wane and have good days and rotten days, but overall, you'll be more mindful of what you do, when you do it, and its effect on the rest of the world. Present Moment, Wonderful Moment is a practical manual, a small but powerful guide to mindful living. It is one of my ten favorite books, and I have high standards. P.S. If you like this, you'd probably like Being Peace, another great book.
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Summary: Short and sweet -- if you don't mind getting creative!
Review: For a graduate school class on meditative practices, I used this book for an experiment. I took the verses and memorized many, and changed the rest to suit my particular situations. I made up new verses -- in the same style -- to complement situations not described in the book. I found this to be an effective way to minimize my daily stress. As just a book for your nightstand, this one will probably not be useful or very interesting. But for someone with stress or anxiety, or someone just interested in Eastern religions, it may be invaluable. Such a collection is certainly not easy to find, and the writing is clear and unambiguous.
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Summary: Buddhism for daily living...
Review: It's bizarre that Yoda the Jedi master actually spouted some basic Buddhist wisdom: "...always dreaming of the future, never his mind on WHERE HE WAS! Humph! WHAT HE WAS DOING!" Those words sum up the idea of living in the present moment that is one of the fundamental teachings of Buddhism. This book presents small sayings (or "gathas") that can be used to allay a distraction and get back into the present moment. There are verses for opening a window, looking in the mirror, using the toilet, getting dressed, lighting a candle, sweeping, eating, walking, gardening, taking out the garbage, using the telephone, and even watching television. All gathas emphasize the interconnectedness of things, and living in the present moment: "We can be very happy just by being aware of what is in front of us." Themes of justice and injustice also permeate the section on food. This is a very good small, readable and comprehensible collection of Buddhist wisdom. Newcomers may have a little trouble, but the text is not very difficult, and unknown terms can be easily looked up. Buddhism incorporates very underrated perspectives and lifestyles that can reduce stress, conquer anger, and give meaning to daily existence.
Rating:
Summary: Buddhism for daily living...
Review: It's bizarre that Yoda the Jedi master actually spouted some basic Buddhist wisdom: "...always dreaming of the future, never his mind on WHERE HE WAS! Humph! WHAT HE WAS DOING!" Those words sum up the idea of living in the present moment that is one of the fundamental teachings of Buddhism. This book presents small sayings (or "gathas") that can be used to allay a distraction and get back into the present moment. There are verses for opening a window, looking in the mirror, using the toilet, getting dressed, lighting a candle, sweeping, eating, walking, gardening, taking out the garbage, using the telephone, and even watching television. All gathas emphasize the interconnectedness of things, and living in the present moment: "We can be very happy just by being aware of what is in front of us." Themes of justice and injustice also permeate the section on food. This is a very good small, readable and comprehensible collection of Buddhist wisdom. Newcomers may have a little trouble, but the text is not very difficult, and unknown terms can be easily looked up. Buddhism incorporates very underrated perspectives and lifestyles that can reduce stress, conquer anger, and give meaning to daily existence.
Rating:
Summary: Short and sweet -- if you don't mind getting creative!
Review: These gathas/short poems are interesting and helpful for those who already practice meditation, but may seem skimpy and repetitive to those not already trying to pursue mindfulness. Don't get this book if you are looking for an introduction to Buddhist thought--get it if you are looking for daily techniques to improve your appreciation of the miracle of daily life.
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Summary: Present Book Wonderful Book!
Review: Thich Nhat Hanh is simply one of the easiest, most gentle authors on the practical application of eastern thought available today. Present Moment, Wonderful Moment is a delight to read. It is a collection of useful verses to keep us mindful throughout the day, recognizing how easy it is to lose sight of the present moment when the crash of life clamors about us constantly. Thich Nhat Hanh uses the technique of memorizing "gathas" for the purpose of focusing the mind on the thing you are doing now rather than on whatever other chatter is going on in the mind. Further, with each verse there is anywhere from a paragraph to a few pages of commentary that give the reader not only insight into the application of the verse, but also insight into the mind and soul of Thich Nhat Hanh. The result is inspirational, soothing, and useful. Of particular importance is the fact that the author, while a monk, is not in the least unaware of the realities of modern life, and included in his verses are ones for talking on the phone, turning on the television, and turning on an electric light. Those not familiar with mindfulness practice might wonder at the insignificance of those daily, mundane experiences, but Thich Nhat Hanh helps us to recognize that there is life "spent" in each of those (and countless other) little activities, and without recognizing that life mindfully, it is life wasted. This man has a simple message...live life fully, abundantly, happily and peacefully, with full awareness of that life as you experience it in the moment. This is a book you will refer to often as you practice mindfulness.
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Summary: peace and freedom in each moment -- my own peace and freedom
Review: We live, whether we acknowledge life/action, or we simply 'go through the motions', we live. We may live fully, capturing the moment (as we might during a carcrash or orgasm) or we might wish to 'just get this over' (as we might during a trafficjam or while on our last hour at the office on Friday). Either way, we live. Stress (which smirks beneath many masks: anger, greed, lust, jealousy, obsession, selfishness, pride, hate) haunts, terrorizes, debilitates, consumes... if we allow stress to run wild. Living in the present moment and embracing the present moment as a wonderful, unique, meaningful moment strips stress of its power... it can even vanquish stress. Thich Nhat Hanh compiles (and shares with us) gathas utilized at Plum Village. These gathas can help us focus our thoughts/actions, to facilitate living each moment in appreciative fullness. These gathas are not tools of rote memorization, meant to be cure all's simply because they are memorized. These gathas are methods to focus, liberating us to meaningful action: "When we focus our minds on a gatha, we return to ourselves and become more aware of each action. When the gatha ends, we continue our activity with heightened awareness," (viii). This book helps me both through the Plum Village gathas, and through the inspiration to create my own pertinent gathas (gathas for: walking my dog, opening the mailbox, charting on residents, reading books, listening to music, playing basketball, shaving my face, etc.). Hanh even encourages creating gathas: "Composing new verses is a way of enriching the tradition," (ix). This book is inexpensive, purchase it and experience peace and freedom in each moment -- your own peace and freedom.
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