Essay On Thich Nhat Hanh's 'Being Peace'

What is the true power of a smile? Does is really have the ability to bring happiness to another person? If you are a Buddhist practitioner it does. Mindfulness is central to the Buddhist religion here in America and all over the world. That includes being mindful of everything that is around and inside of you. Buddhism teaches that life is filled with suffering, but also with happiness and as Thich Nhat Hanh uses the analogy of a television in his “Being Peace, “we have the choice of what channel to be on, the channel of happiness or suffering.” To follow the Buddhist path, described by Hanh in his book “Being Peace,” would lead to a more positive and peaceful life. In my case, it would create many positive changes in my life, including less stress, more awareness and happiness.

Like many college students I live a very busy life. If I am not active and doing something, I immediately feel that I am wasting my time and that I am a spectator in the world rather than a participant. This is quite the opposite to Hanh’s description of how a productive life should be lived. If I was to follow Thich Nhat Hanh’s method of truly living life, I would change my idea of what productivity
Why is that? I did many things last week; it should be easy to remember at least one. The reason is because most of the time I am not aware of what I am doing. In fact, a considerable portion of my time is run by an “autopilot.” In his “Being Peace,” Hanh speaks of awareness and that in order to achieve it one must live in the present. Because of all the things in my agenda, I am constantly thinking and stressing over the next thing to do, rather than enjoying what I am doing in the present. This is caused by my lack of awareness, and becoming aware would lead me to live a less stressful life by thinking only of the