Touching Peace

Book excerpt: The world-renowned Zen Buddhist teacher and author of No Mud, No Lotus presents mindfulness and meditation as tools for examining—and solving—both personal and global challenges. In Touching Peace, Thich Nhat Hanh expands the teachings on practicing the art of mindful living begun in the best-selling Being Peace by giving specific, practical instructions on extending our meditation practice into our daily lives. Nhat Hanh reminds us to focus on what is refreshing and healing within and all around us, and how, paired with the practice of mindful breathing, it can be used as the basis for examining the roots of war and violence, alcoholism and drug abuse, and social alienation. Included are classic Thich Nhat Hanh practices and teachings such as the conflict resolution tool of the Peace Treaty; his thoughts on a “diet for a mindful society” based on his interpretation of the 5 Mindfulness Trainings; and his early writings on the environment. With Touching Peace, Nhat Hanh shares his vision for rebuilding society through strengthening our families and communities, and realizing the ultimate dimension of reality in each act of our daily lives.