Binding: Audio CD
Dewey Decimal Number: 133
EAN: 9781564557988
Format: Audiobook
ISBN: 1564557987
Label: Sounds True, Incorporated
Manufacturer: Sounds True, Incorporated
Number Of Items: 2
Publication Date: 2000-12-01
Publisher: Sounds True, Incorporated
Studio: Sounds True, Incorporated

Zen meditation master and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Thich Nhat Hanh offers his practical teachings about how to bring love and mindful awareness into our daily experience. These rare moments were recorded during a family meditation retreat. Kind – purposeful – illuminating – here is an abundant treasure of traditional gathas (teachings) that unify meditation practice with the challenges we face in today’s world. Enhanced features include traditional Vietnamese music performed by the monks and nuns of Plum Village, a meditation practice from Thich Nhat Hanh’s Mindful Movements video, and an interview with the author.

Customer Rating:
Summary: The Audio CD/Tape is a "Lecture," Not the Book Text
Comment: I've listened to a few other nonfiction "books on tape" that pull this odd 'lecture and/or interview in the place of the book text while claiming to cover the entire content of the book' thing and it never measures up to the conciseness or clarity of the written word; or, more accurately, the conciseness and clarity of someone reading the written word.

The other problem here is that English is not Thich Nhat Hanh's first language (probably not even his third or forth). So, on top of the lecture focus being bogged down with listening to Hanh guide a large group through meditation for the first (at least) forty minutes of this recording, his inability to articulate any of his incredibly basic Zen concepts through anything other than monosyllabic broken English becomes quite the opposite of Zen. It's quite maddening, in fact.

Besides the problems detailed above, the content covered is really too basic for anyone with even a cursory knowledge of Zen and/or Buddhism and those who are initiates will likely wonder what the heck is going on since there's little context given for anything, all of which it feels like we're being dropped in the middle of.

I do not leave negative reviews; it is not for me to bash anyone's hard work and, for all I know, the written book is excellent. But Karmically speaking, I feel it is my duty to warn anyone considering buying the audio version so you know what to expect. Still, I humbly suggest avoiding it entirely.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Could change your life
Comment: These two CD's are wonderful. Simple message delivered in straightforward manner with humor and humility. I actually am enjoying my morning commute now.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and helpful messages from Thich Nhat Hanh
Comment: I have downloaded audio books by Thich Nhat Hanh in which the sound quality has not been nearly as good as it is on this 2-disc set. If you are not familiar with this Vietnamese monk and are exploring mindfulness training and insight meditation, or just want to learn how to make your days on the planet a more joyful, peaceful experience, this is a great investment. If you are a follower, you will love The Art Of Mindful Living. It contains some of his most core teachings, and there are some beautiful chants included as well. Wonderful opportunities for mindful, contemplative time.
Nameaste

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great item - beware download
Comment: As a Thich Nhat Hanh fan, (tough to say!), this item is a nice addition to my collection of print and audio. For those of you who are tempted to download the audio, be aware that it comes from an Amazon partner, [...] I discovered too late (my bad) that their proprietary DRM software doesn't support my particular mp3 device, a Sansa e250. So I'm going to wind up buying it twice.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Audio tour of this idea: present moment, wonderful moment.
Comment: I have been listening to this tape for years, not as a guided meditation, but more as a reminder of strong, important, simple ideas that are easy to forget.


Thich Nhat Hanh has published many books and tapes. This audio CD stands out because in its several hours it covers all the major bases of Zen thinking and practice. When you have listened to it you will have all you need to begin a meditation practice, to understand some basics of Zen or EuroAmerican Buddhism, or advance your existing meditation practice.

The CD includes comments on the importance of being fully present in the moment. ("Present moment, wonderful moment") It goes on to teach a basic but very useful guided meditation, with explanations of each step, so that it is easy to learn and understand. For example, one part has you saying to yourself silently on your in-breath, "breathing in I am aware of a tree," and on the out-breath, "breathing out, I smile to the tree." The words alone don't sound like much, but after hearing the comments, it becomes powerful. The author explains that the tree can be a symbol for all the resouces that are outside my body, that are readily available for me. If there is a tree, he says, there have to be sun, rain, and earth, for example, or else there would be no tree. This thought can be calming as we encounter daily anxieties and sometimes feel that we are not getting enough of what we need: we can look on a tree and remember that the earth has all we need that is important. Enough food, enough air, etc. Breathing in I am aware of a tree, breathing out I smile to the tree.

He also uses this idea to advance the ideas of interbeing and impermanence, but I'll let you find out about those when hearing the CD!

Please don't hesitate to e-mail me with any questions.

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