🌌 Mysticism

Being Peace

✍️ Thich Nhat Hanh, Jack Kornfield, Jane Goodall
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review)
$18.95
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Thich Nhat Hanh's seminal work, "Being Peace," offers a profound yet accessible exploration of how cultivating personal tranquility is the bedrock for global harmony. Originally conceived for peace activists, its timeless wisdom now resonates with anyone seeking a more compassionate existence. This enduring guide, enriched by practical exercises, illuminates the path to embodying peace in every moment, demonstrating that individual transformation is the most potent form of activism. It remains a vital compass for navigating life's complexities with grace and presence.

🌌
Mysticism

Praise for this book

“I first met Thich Nhat Hanh in 1968 in Paris. That was the time of rising counter culture, protest against the Vietnam war and student uprising. At that time his presence in Paris was like a soothing rain in dry heat. Ever since, for more than fifty years, he has been the conscience of humanity. He has been a compassionate catalyst of spiritual awakening, social harmony and ecological awareness.”
— Satish Kumar, editor emeritus of Resurgence & Ecologist magazine and founder of Schumacher College
“Thich Nhat Hanh's work, on and off the page, has proven to be the antidote to our modern pain and sorrows. Here is a monumental, life-giving mind, preserved as textual force. And that's what I feel reading and practicing his teachings: that I am being acted on by a compassion equal to and pervasive as gravity itself. His books help me be more human, more me than I was before.”
— Ocean Vuong, author of On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous
“Thich Nhat Hanh is among the most revered leaders in the world. His teachings and mindfulness practices have deeply influenced my journey through life. He is a torch of wisdom lighting the path ahead, generating the compassion, love, and understanding we need to create peace for ourselves and the world.”
— Marc Benioff, chair and CEO, Salesforce
🏛 Parallax Press 📅 2024 📖 160 pages 🌐 en 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781952692765
Fun Fact
"Being Peace" stands as a remarkably lucid and profoundly impactful work, a true cornerstone of modern spiritual literature. It excels in its ability to distill complex spiritual truths into accessible, practical guidance for everyday living. While those seeking intricate philosophical discourse or academic Buddhist study might find it too concise, its gentle wisdom and direct call to compassionate action make it indispensable for anyone yearning to integrate peace into their personal and global experience. It remains a beacon for engaged spirituality.

📝 Description: Being Peace

THE BELOVED SPIRITUAL CLASSIC: A timeless introduction to Thich Nhat Hanh's most important teachings, revealing the connection between peace in oneself and peace in the world. Now updated with a foreword from Dr. Jane Goodall! One of Thich Nhat Hanh's first books published in the United States, Being Peace was intended for peace activists and as a commentary on the peace movement of the time. Now translated into more than 30 languages and with half a million copies sold, it has since become an indispensable guide for anyone concerned about the state of the world and the quality of our lives. Thay's message of "being peace in order to make more peace" is more relevant than ever. Being Peace contains Thich Nhat Hanh's key practices and is filled with practical suggestions for how to create a more peaceful world "right in the moment we are alive." Many of the hallmarks of Thich Nhat Hanh appear here for the first time, in his trademark clear and steady style. Now featuring a foreword from Dr. Jane Goodall, this beautiful, newly revised edition is the perfect starting point for those who are getting their first introduction to Buddhism as well as a must-have for those already engaged in the tradition.

💎 Expert review

“
💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
While 'Being Peace' offers timeless wisdom enriched by practical exercises, it may not suit readers seeking complex philosophical arguments or rigorous academic analysis of Buddhist doctrine. Those looking for dramatic narratives or quick-fix solutions might find its gentle, repetitive emphasis on presence tedious. However, for those willing to engage with the premise that personal tranquility is the bedrock of global harmony, this guide remains an enduring and vital resource. It does not promise immediate results but rather a gradual shift in perspective, requiring patience and a genuine desire for compassionate living.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a practical compass for navigating life's complexities with grace will find profound value here. It is ideal for those who believe individual transformation is the most potent form of activism, offering accessible wisdom rather than dense theory. Anyone desiring to embody peace in every moment, from activists to casual seekers, will appreciate how inner serenity transforms the world around them. The book provides essential tools for cultivating presence and compassion, making it a vital resource for building a more harmonious existence through personal tranquility.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5
★★★★★
If you yearn for a world filled with more compassion, seek practical ways to cultivate inner calm, or are curious about the foundations of engaged Buddhism, this book is an essential companion. It offers profound wisdom without demanding prior spiritual knowledge.

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
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Esoterica Books editorial team

While 'Being Peace' offers timeless wisdom enriched by practical exercises, it may not suit readers seeking complex philosophical arguments or rigorous academic analysis of Buddhist doctrine. Those looking for dramatic narratives or quick-fix solutions might find its gentle, repetitive emphasis on presence tedious. However, for those willing to engage with the premise that personal tranquility is the bedrock of global harmony, this guide remains an enduring and vital resource. It does not promise immediate results but rather a gradual shift in perspective, requiring patience and a genuine desire for compassionate living.

❓ Frequently asked questions

The central teaching is that true global peace begins with cultivating inner peace within oneself. By embodying peace in our daily lives and actions, we naturally contribute to a more harmonious and compassionate world around us.
Absolutely. "Being Peace" is renowned for its clear, straightforward language and practical approach, making it an excellent and welcoming introduction to both fundamental Buddhist principles and accessible mindfulness practices for anyone curious.

📖 Who should read this

If you yearn for a world filled with more compassion, seek practical ways to cultivate inner calm, or are curious about the foundations of engaged Buddhism, this book is an essential companion. It offers profound wisdom without demanding prior spiritual knowledge.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Inner Peace, Global Impact

This book powerfully articulates how genuine societal change originates within each individual. It argues that personal mindfulness and tranquility are not merely selfish pursuits but essential foundations for fostering a more peaceful and just world, connecting our internal state to the collective well-being of humanity.

Mindfulness in Action

Far from abstract theory, "Being Peace" provides tangible methods and simple practices for integrating mindfulness into daily life. It guides readers to cultivate present-moment awareness, transforming everyday activities like walking or breathing into profound opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper connection to existence.

Accessible Zen Wisdom

Serving as an inviting gateway to Buddhist thought, the text distills complex Zen principles into clear, digestible insights. It emphasizes direct experience and practical application over dogma, making deep spiritual truths approachable for both newcomers exploring Buddhism and seasoned practitioners seeking renewed inspiration.

📜 Historical context

Emerging from the turbulent era of the 1960s peace movement, "Being Peace" was initially a call to action for activists, urging them to embody the very peace they sought. It quickly transcended its immediate context to become a foundational text in engaged Buddhism, solidifying Thich Nhat Hanh's global reputation as a master of accessible spiritual guidance for all.

📚 Glossary

Mindfulness
Engaged Buddhism
Zen

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. How does my personal state of mind currently reflect, or perhaps detract from, the peace I wish to see in the world?
  2. Identify one simple daily activity you could approach with more mindfulness this week. What changes might you observe in your experience?
  3. Considering the book's emphasis on "being peace," what does that phrase personally mean to you, and how can you embody it more fully in your interactions today?

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