At Home in the World: Stories and Essential Teachings from a Monk's Life

As sole caretaker during the time my husband’ body died slowly of cancer, this book came up in my ebook queue. Nothing could have been more anchoring, have given more practical tools for peace. Read it slowly, with great attention. Everything will change, and bloom.

(Thay) Thich Nhat Hanh has been one of my favorite teachers. I especially love this book because he teaches mindfulness via his autobiography. He is one of the clearest teachers of our time. This book makes his teachings all the more accessible and enjoyable!

I love him and have almost every book he’s ever written. I’m working on getting them all

A wonderful read with lots of practical suggestions on how to improve your world. The challenge is putting them into daily use. First step is to be mindful and breathe. Repeat.

Thich Nhat Hanh’s books have been a refuge for me for many years. I’m not sure how many of his books I’ve read so far, but it must be dozens at least. I still treasure his insights and coaching on how to embrace this human experience.In this particular book, he shares personal experiences along with his thoughts on many of life’s challenges. I can’t say this strongly enough, but he just seems to talk to me.On more than one occasion, Thich Nhat Hanh talks about meeting and working with Thomas Merton. I especially like the talk called Closing the Door, which talks about learning how to be mindful in all that we do. Thich Nhat Hanh told this story to Thomas Merton, and Thomas used that story and told that same story to fellow followers and monks that he was working with.Thich Nhat Hanh also told a story about washing dishes and how being mindful and being in the moment changes the whole perception of how you feel about washing dishes. If one is not in the moment the task becomes uncomfortable, because their thinking about the past or the future and not experiencing the moment. I know I’m not sharing the true depth of this story, but I want to encourage you to take a look at this story.In addition, one of his essays within this book is titled “The Times of India.” In this essay he describes a different way of reporting news that needs to be considered. A terrible event or booming happened in Mumbai, and Thich Nhat Hanh talks about a new way of sharing this information to the public so that it doesn’t cause any more anger or violence.He shares that it needs to be communicated in such a way that it doesn’t make matters worse. Empathy might be a good place to start. Let’s try to understand the cause and take appropriate action so not to enflame the disenfranchised to be victims and exacerbate matters even further.If we’re passionate and caring the assailant loses some power and this could change the whole dynamics of these events. I know I’m not doing this essays any justice, so please read the book to get a true picture of what I’m talking about.

This is a wonderful book-each essay, which to some extent are ordered chronologically from Thay's lived experience, is complete in itself. Together they provide both personal insights and guides to a mindful life. Wherever we are geographically in the world or in the various decades of our life, his words are inspirational and nourishing. However difficult life may be, hope resides in every moment.

As always a great read from Thay. Obviously this material was written prior to his CVA and some of it is indeed from other publications of his, but that being said it is a wonderful reminder of the things he has taught those of us who have read most of his work. Highly recommended for newcomers and Thay followers alike.

I only recently discovered this beautiful person and can not recommend his books and teachings enough. He’s helped me to cope with extreme difficulty and inspires me to live in the present moment.