Spiritual Ecology

Spiritual Ecology: The Cry of the Earth, by Thich Nhat Hanh, et al

Showing the deep connection between our present ecological crisis and our lack of awareness of the sacred nature of creation, this series of essays from spiritual and environmental leaders around the world shows how humanity can transform its relationship with the Earth. Combining the thoughts and beliefs from a diverse range of essayists, this collection highlights the current ecological crisis and articulates a much-needed spiritual response to it. Perspectives from Buddhism, Sufism, Christianity, and Native American beliefs as well as physics, deep psychology, and other environmental disciplines, make this a well-rounded contribution. The complete list of contributors are Oren Lyons, Thomas Berry, Thich Nhat Hanh, Chief Tamale Bwoya, Joanna Macy, Sandra Ingerman, Richard Rohr, Wendell Berry, Mary Evelyn Tucker, Sister Miriam MacGillis, Satish Kumar, Vandana Shiva, Pir Zia Inayat-Kahn, Winona LaDuke, John Stanley, John Newall, Bill Plotkin, Geneen Marie Haugen, Jules Cashford, and Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee.

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True Love: A Practice for Awakening the Heart

True Love: A Practice for Awakening the Heart, by Thich Nhat Hanh and Sherab Chodzin Kohn. Love might not be what we think it is. We all seek the happiness that comes from loving and being loved, yet we often find ourselves dissatisfied in our relationships and unable to grasp the cause. Thich Nhat Hanh here shows the way to overcome our recurrent obstacles to love—by learning to be mindful, open, and present with ourselves and others. As he explains, “training is needed in order to love properly; and to be able to give happiness and joy, you must practice deep looking directed toward the person you love. Because if you do not understand this person, you cannot love properly. Understanding is the essence of love.”

This quintessential guide to loving also introduces the four key aspects of love described in the Buddhist tradition—loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and freedom—and describes many simple and direct ways in which we can practice authentic love in our everyday lives.

A Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh is 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 best-selling Living Buddha, Living Christ; Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames; Peace Is Every Step; and The Miracle of Mindfulness. He has founded monastic communities in France, Vermont, and California and teaches actively around the world.

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For a Future to Be Possible: Buddhist Ethics for Everyday Life

For a Future to Be Possible: Buddhist Ethics for Everyday Life, by Thich Nhat Hanh with an afterword by Jack Kornfield. The Five Mindfulness Trainings — to not kill, steal, commit adultery, lie, or take intoxicants — are the basic statement of ethics and morality in Buddhism. In this fully revised edition, Zen master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh argues eloquently for their universal applicability in daily situations. Nhat Hanh discusses in depth the value and meaning of each precept, offering insights into the roles that they could play in our changing society. In a world marked by moral and spiritual emptiness, he says, The Five Mindfulness Trainings offer a path to the restoration of meaning and value. The author calls the trainings a “diet for a mindful society” that transcends sectarian boundaries, and he presents simple yet powerful ways that people can come together around them to explore and sustain a sane, compassionate, and healthy way of living.

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Two Treasures: Buddhist Teachings on Awakening and True Happiness

Two Treasures: Buddhist Teachings on Awakening and True Happiness, by Thich Nhat Hanh. This compact volume contains two sutras, The Sutra on the Eight Realizations of Great Beings and its complementary text, The Discourse on Happiness. They explain in practical detail how to progress step-by-step towards the Buddhist ideals of simplicity, generosity, compassion, and enlightenment. The first sutra is comprised of eight essential subjects for meditation that, though simple in form, are profound in content. Reflecting the insights gained by the bodhisattvas in their lifelong practice of compassion and understanding, the realizations help all beings recognize suffering in the world. The second sutra uses more peaceful language and is a gentle reminder of the common human values and endeavors that are often forgotten in daily life, and reminds readers of the happiness derived from simple things. Thanks to Thich Nhat Hanh’s warm, thoughtful commentary and contemporary language, both teachings are unusually approachable and can be read and enjoyed by those new to the art of mindful living.

The Coconut Monk

The Coconut Monk, by Thich Nhat Hanh and Vo-Dinh Mai (Illustrator). Ages 4-8. In a war-torn world filled with images of violence, Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh offers young readers reassurance and a reminder that peace can be found through empathy. Based on a talk given directly to children, this timely book uses the image of a cat and a mouse and their smiling friend the Coconut Monk as metaphors for overcoming seemingly unconquerable divides of nature, nation, and belief. Teaching equanimity, compassion, and perseverance, the book includes full-color oil paintings by Vietnamese-American painter Vo-Dinh Mai that further enhance the author’s message.

Creating True Peace

Creating True Peace : Ending Violence in Yourself, Your Family, Your Community, and the World, by Thich Nhat Hanh, from Free Press, ISBN 0743245202. Writing from the deep belief that violence is an inappropriate response that we can no longer afford at any level, Thich Nhat Hahn reveals powerful daily actions and everyday interactions that can root out violence where it lives inside each of us. In a beautiful blend of visionary insight and inspiring stories of peacemaking from real people in many countries, he teaches us to look more deeply at our lives, our families, our nation, and our world.