You Are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment

by Thich Nhat Hanh, Sherab Chodzin Kohn (Translator), Melvin McLeod (Editor)

Overview

Simple daily practices to help readers discover the happiness and freedom of living in the present moment--from the renowned Buddhist monk and bestselling author.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781645472414
Publisher:	Shambhala
Publication date:	11/14/2023
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	4.80(w) x 7.30(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

A Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, THICH NHAT HANH was an internationally known author, poet, scholar, and peace activist, and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King Jr. He is the author of numerous books, including the bestselling Living Buddha, Living Christ; Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames; Peace Is Every Step; and The Miracle of Mindfulness. He founded monastic communities in France, Vermont, and California. He passed away peacefully at the age of 95 in January 2022.

Read an Excerpt

The heart of Buddhist practice is to generate our own presence in such a way that we can touch deeply the life that is here and available in every moment. We have to be here for ourselves, we have to be here for the people we love, we have to be here for life with all its wonders. The message of our Buddhist practice is simple and clear: “I am here for you.”
In our daily life, we are often lost in thoughts. We get lost in regrets about the past and fears about the future. We get lost in our plans, our anger, and our anxiety. At such moments, we cannot really be here for ourselves. We are not really here for life.
Practice makes it possible for us to be free—to rid ourselves of these obstacles and establish ourselves firmly in the present moment. Practice gives us methods we can use to help us be here in the present moment. Practice makes it possible for us to say “I am here for you.”
The Buddha said, “The past no longer exists, and the future is not here yet.” There is only a single moment in which we can truly be alive, and that is the present moment. Being present in the here and now is our practice.

Editorial Reviews

Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh is a peace activist, a spiritual teacher, and a prolific bestselling author. Of his many books, You Are Here is unique in that it deals not with specific emotional problems but focuses instead on Buddhist practices and precepts that help us transcend the hectic crises of everyday living. As always, Hanh's gentle message is presented in evocative, even poetic images and personal anecdotes.

Acclaimed Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh continues his exploration of what he has called engaged Buddhism, now considering the experience of everyday living. The author has been an active advocate for peace since the Vietnam War and is perhaps best known to readers for his book Peace Is Every Step. Now, he tells us that living is a joy and emphasizes how the awareness that Buddhist meditation and practice can promote contributes to that sensation of joy in living. VERDICT Recommended as a thought-provoking contribution to the literature of modern Buddhism.

Library Journal

Thich Nhat Hanh shows us the connection between personal inner peace and peace on earth.”—His Holiness the Dalai Lama

“Thich Nhat Hanh writes with the voice of the Buddha.”—Sogyal Rinpoche, author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

From the Publisher

Lloyd James calmly and steadily presents the concepts of mindfulness, peace, and other basic precepts of Buddhism. Based on a retreat for Westerners, this book is an excellent introduction to the teachings of Buddhism and meditation, and their practical application to everyday life. Through simple illustrations, Hahn presents his message in easy-to-understand terms. Lloyd James’s narration exemplifies a centered focus on the core meanings of the teachings and the objective of becoming one with the moment. His engagement with the topics is uniform; his presentation is intimate, quiet. Each chapter is self-contained and could be used as the basis for meditation or study. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

MARCH 2011 - AudioFile