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Lovely meditative book to savor slowly. Part I is somewhat repetitive and preachy, and the editor's introduction includes a poem which reflects the sort of innocence that might turn a sceptic away. "Each flower smiles with me... Peace is every step. It turns the endless path to joy". If you DO the work of meditation, living mindfully, this can be true for you. This is not something external.

Part II is delightful, filled with Thay's gentle humor! Favorite chapters for me, "Cooking our Potatoes", where, nothing is wrong with a raw potato -- it's just not ready to be served .. . or
"look into your hand" -- and you can see others who are missing... or asking "what's not wrong"-- planting seeds that can nourish. The Buddha only points the way... we ARE capable of doing good...

I am reminded of Maria Popova reminding us that we are "a breathing accident of chance, ample with reverberations of the impossible-- a buoyant moment in the dark... made to blaze with love and readiness for life."

I used his idea of "mouth yoga" in our Christmas card-- you cannot use your facial muscles to smile if you are preoccupied with worry or anger. Breathe in... calm... breathe out the same and smile. It really does work.