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zoevstheworld's review
4.0
So many interesting and lovely things to think about. I cannot stop thinking about the idea of inter-being and how we are all connected. I loved the discussion of how a tree is never less than a tree, except for when it is hurt or damaged to be so by humans who are less than humans. Re-awoke a desire in me to feel fully human and inter-be within my interactions and environment so much more.
2000ace's review
5.0
The Heart Sutra is an essential Buddhist text on non-duality, or as Thich Nhat Hanh calls it, interbeing. The connectedness of all things is a life-changing realization. It takes away an "us versus them," or "man versus nature" relationship with the world. There is no distinction between being and nothingness. Like many of the Buddha's teachings, the concept presented here is deceptively simple, and worthy of many hours of contemplation.
the_slackening's review
5.0
Thich Nhat Hanh has explained the lines of the Heart Sutra as I have never heard before, and expounded a lot of clarity where my understanding was hazy at best. I am always astonished at the abaility of Thich Nhat Hanh to clarify subjects with few words, yet weave them together poetically as he does.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to get into Sutra study. It's like he is teaching in person, since he seemed to answer all of my questions as they came to mind.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to get into Sutra study. It's like he is teaching in person, since he seemed to answer all of my questions as they came to mind.
deearr's review
5.0
I realized early on this is not a book to be read at one sitting (even though it is not large). Nor is it a book that can be read and then laid on the shelf, allowed to collect dust. To gain the knowledge it contains, one must be willing to consider the teachings until assimilated. I learned that many chant or recite the Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra on a daily basis.
I was amazed at the number of highlights I had created by the time I reached the last page. Normally I quickly devour a book, but this was a book I read slowly, repeating passages until I felt I had at least a layman’s grasp of what author Thich Nhat Hanh was instructing. “Buddhism is a clever way to enjoy life,” he says early on, and I found myself smiling. I understood him to mean this was not a trick, but learning a different way of thinking.
The book breaks the Heart Sutra into small sections. The author first offers an overview of the lines to be taught before giving examples to enable understanding. While the examples are clear, one is forced to suspend reading and think in order to assimilate the knowledge before moving on. There are concepts presented that are counter to what most of us have been taught. The author talks of obstacles, which I likened to getting out of our own way in order to discover something new.
The last chapter talks about meditation, advising the Buddhist meditation is practiced to bring about immediate results. “If we sit for twenty minutes, these twenty minutes should bring us joy, life.” Meditation is meant to bring about understanding, and “…peace and happiness in your daily life means peace and happiness in the world.” Recommended for all. Five stars.
I was amazed at the number of highlights I had created by the time I reached the last page. Normally I quickly devour a book, but this was a book I read slowly, repeating passages until I felt I had at least a layman’s grasp of what author Thich Nhat Hanh was instructing. “Buddhism is a clever way to enjoy life,” he says early on, and I found myself smiling. I understood him to mean this was not a trick, but learning a different way of thinking.
The book breaks the Heart Sutra into small sections. The author first offers an overview of the lines to be taught before giving examples to enable understanding. While the examples are clear, one is forced to suspend reading and think in order to assimilate the knowledge before moving on. There are concepts presented that are counter to what most of us have been taught. The author talks of obstacles, which I likened to getting out of our own way in order to discover something new.
The last chapter talks about meditation, advising the Buddhist meditation is practiced to bring about immediate results. “If we sit for twenty minutes, these twenty minutes should bring us joy, life.” Meditation is meant to bring about understanding, and “…peace and happiness in your daily life means peace and happiness in the world.” Recommended for all. Five stars.
brocc's review
5.0
this book cracked my head open, but in a kind of wondrous way. very short and very interesting.
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