Post by Admin on Dec 30, 2015 16:16:15 GMT -5
Just finished re-reading this book. And like it even more the second time around. Thought I'd post a brief review here.
The Art of Communicating
Thich Nhat Hanh, 2013
This may be the last book which Thich Nhat Hanh published before his stroke took away most of his speech. Coming as it does as last and most recent of his works attempting to share the essence of mindfulness with people world-wide, I find it particularly clear and to the point. As a more recent expression of his thought, he is -- as always -- profound yet simple. He shares with the reader ancient wisdom yet in such a way that his words apply even moreso to us in our high-tech world.
The magic -- for me -- in reading TNH is that it is rapidly apparent while reading him that the man lives what he preaches. No matter what the topic, his expression of things always inspires me, always makes me feel as if I'm learning about mindfulness for the first time.
This book is not a typical 'communications how-to' book. Seeped as he is in a lifetime of Buddhist scholarship, meditation and lifestyle, his approach to the subject of communication is an incarnation of the principles he's trying to teach us. While there is abundant practical advice, I would suggest reading this book as you would a poem or a novel, read for the flow and essence, and then only later go back to glean practical points for your own practical use.
At the heart of this book is TNH's discussion of ' Deep Listening' and 'Loving Speech'. He talks about what we take into our beings (from the food we eat to what we watch on our devices or say to others) and how our choices of intake help either water the seeds of compassion (love) or the seeds of hate(anger). .. a common metaphor TNH uses throughout his works. He gives mantras (suggested sayings) of loving speech and applies his approach to mindful communications within families and between intimates, as well as in the community at large.
He closes with "Practices for Compassionate Communication".
In short, this is now my favorite TNH book and I highly recommend it. Available in Delaware Public Library System, bookstores, Amazon.com and Parallax Press; 166 pages.
The Art of Communicating
Thich Nhat Hanh, 2013
This may be the last book which Thich Nhat Hanh published before his stroke took away most of his speech. Coming as it does as last and most recent of his works attempting to share the essence of mindfulness with people world-wide, I find it particularly clear and to the point. As a more recent expression of his thought, he is -- as always -- profound yet simple. He shares with the reader ancient wisdom yet in such a way that his words apply even moreso to us in our high-tech world.
The magic -- for me -- in reading TNH is that it is rapidly apparent while reading him that the man lives what he preaches. No matter what the topic, his expression of things always inspires me, always makes me feel as if I'm learning about mindfulness for the first time.
This book is not a typical 'communications how-to' book. Seeped as he is in a lifetime of Buddhist scholarship, meditation and lifestyle, his approach to the subject of communication is an incarnation of the principles he's trying to teach us. While there is abundant practical advice, I would suggest reading this book as you would a poem or a novel, read for the flow and essence, and then only later go back to glean practical points for your own practical use.
At the heart of this book is TNH's discussion of ' Deep Listening' and 'Loving Speech'. He talks about what we take into our beings (from the food we eat to what we watch on our devices or say to others) and how our choices of intake help either water the seeds of compassion (love) or the seeds of hate(anger). .. a common metaphor TNH uses throughout his works. He gives mantras (suggested sayings) of loving speech and applies his approach to mindful communications within families and between intimates, as well as in the community at large.
He closes with "Practices for Compassionate Communication".
In short, this is now my favorite TNH book and I highly recommend it. Available in Delaware Public Library System, bookstores, Amazon.com and Parallax Press; 166 pages.