Writer : Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh actually wrote this as a long letter to Brother Quang, a main staff member of the School of Youth for Social Service in South Vietnam in 1974. The author, a Buddhist monk, had

founded the School in the 1960s as an outgrowth of "engaged Buddhism". He wrote to Brother Quang to encourage the workers during this dark time -war. Thay Nhat Hanh ("Thay," the form of address for Vietnamese monks, means "teacher") wished to remind them of the essential discipline of following one's breath to nourish and maintain calm mindfulness, even in the midst of the most difficult circumstances. 

The Miracle Is to Walk on Earth

"In such moments, existence is a miraculous and mysterious reality. People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Everyday we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child-our own two eyes. All is a miracle." (page 29)

Then how are we to practice mindfulness? 

Keep your attention focused on the work, be alert and ready to handle ably and intelligently any situation which may arise - this is mindfulness. There is no reason why mind fulness should be different from focusing all one's attention on one's work, to be alert and to be using one's best judgment. During the moment one is consulting, resolving, and dealing with whatever arises, a calm heart and selfcontrol are necessary if one is to obtain good results. Anyone can see that. If we are not in control of ourselves but instead let our impatience or anger interfere, then our work is no longer of any value." (page 31)

"A magician who cuts his body into many parts and places each part in a different region-hands in the south, arms in the east, legs in the north, and then by some miraculous power lets forth a cry which reassembles whole every part of his body. Mindfulness is like that -it is the miracle which can call back in a flash our dispersed mind and restore it to wholeness so that we can live each minute of life." (page 31)

Hanh told us about practicing mindfullness and it's possible in a day. But practice meant nothing if we didn't do the repetition.  Some people said this book is all about the meditation in Buddhism, but I don't %100 agree. Yes, in this book he told us how to breath rightly so we could control our body and mind. But some other stories also blowing my mind.  I got many lessons after reading it and changed the way I look at the tasks and problems that I had. I recommend this book if you want to think out of the book, or if you're in trouble and need something to read, or  if you strive for your own happiness. So, Take your time and read :)