Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

This book is full of beneficial guidelines for living a mindful, peaceful life and helping those around you do the same. Even if it confirms what you already know, it is a pleasurable read and a beautiful inspiration to actively appreciate the positive aspects of living.

Like most other Buddhist works, it is centered around living in the present. I wasn't expecting him to devote a section to the idea of hope as an obstacle, but it made good sense. It's very easy to keep looking toward tomorrow, wishing for better days, but in doing that you're practicing avoidance. Facing your current situation and dealing with it head-on isn't always easy, but it's heavily encouraged here.

I also appreciated Thich Nhat Hanh's encouragement to eliminate distractions. We waste so much time being "entertained" that we forget to live our own lives to the fullest. Not being a fan of most television programming myself, I am all for turning off the TV and foregoing the 40,000 some-odd murders we see a year, the 80,000 or so companies shoving products and services in our faces that we must "buy now," and the made-up numbers I use to talk about these unnecessary absurdities.

What's more dangerous than violence and guerrilla advertising, I think, is what we neglect when we decide we'd rather be entertained than really alive. When we fall into the fantasy worlds TV, games, and online environments provide, we are putting aside the important people who comprise our actual worlds. If you have 30 minutes to kill, why not take a walk or write a letter to someone you haven't seen in awhile? Even if you're dirt poor and in the middle of nowhere, you can still meditate. It'll clear out your mind and improve your mood over whatever the latest reality show is pushing.

Another main point of this book is to deepen your understanding of your friends and enemies alike. And then, it's not enough to just understand, you have to act on this understanding. In order to reconcile your differences, you have to talk to the other person to test your real strength. Having the peace of mind to do this in a calm, well-executed fashion is tough, but when you come upon challenges like this, it is comforting to have this simple yet powerful book to lay the framework for some good meditation sessions.

"Peace Is Every Step" came at a good time for me. At this point in my life where everything seems to be in upheaval, it's nice to remember that I can decide to be centered whenever I want. I need not depend on outside circumstances or other people to relax and find my own true happiness.