REVIEWS

BOOKS

For a Future to Be Possible: Commentaries on the Five Mindfulness Trainings
Thich Nhat Hanh
[Parallax Press, 279 pages]

The five mindfulness trainings have traditionally been known as the layman's Buddhist precepts: do not kill, steal, sexually abuse, lie, or take drugs or alcohol. In 1993, they were reformulated by Thich Nhat Hanh and his community to better reflect our times. For example, “do not kill” was rewritten as “Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I am committed to cultivating compassion and learning ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to support any act of killing in the world, in my thinking, and in my way of life.” Note that the first part of the training is proactive— it says something you will try to do, and the second half is something you will try not to do. Each training has this format, so that each one also has a positive action: cultivating compassion, generosity, sexual responsibility, deep listening, loving speech, and good health.

The book offers commentaries on these trainings as well as their history from the time of the Buddha to the present day. The first section, a detailed description of the trainings by Thich Nhat Hanh, is the highlight of the book and a pure joy to read. His insight is always inspiring and, at times, breathtaking. If you read nothing else, read this section. The second section of the book contains commentaries from other authors, two of which stick out from the rest: Home Again and Commonly Asked Questions. The former gives some insight into the process behind rewriting the trainings, while the latter contains responses to such questions as “If I take the First Mindfulness Training, does it mean I have to become a vegetarian?” Finally, the last part of the book, The Sutra on the White-Clad Disciple, is the account of the original teaching given by the Buddha from which the trainings arose. This book provides insight into a way of life that is both peaceful and joyful. Even if you come from a different religious tradition, it may help to shed new light on your own practices.

by Paul Baranowski

Calming the Fearful Mind: A Zen Response to Terrorism
Thich Nhat Hanh
[Parallax Press, 123 pages]

Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King Jr. for his peacemaking efforts during the Vietnam War. In Calming the Fearful Mind, he translates the engaged Buddhist style of peacemaking that he pioneered into the current context of the War on Terror.

Nhat Hanh’s book resonates with his fervent belief that “all violence is injustice,” clearly arguing that reacting to violence with violence only breeds more of it. He believes that to achieve peace, compassion must be cultivated through understanding–in this case, understanding terrorists’ suffering. The most captivating part of the book is when Nhat Hanh turns these seemingly idealistic suggestions into clearly realizable alternatives. Framed in engaged Buddhist philosophy, he guides the reader through a carefully constructed global peacemaking methodology. He then demonstrates the viability of his ideas through examples from his peace retreats. At his meditation community, Plum Village, he successfully helps groups of Palestinians and Israelis to overcome their hatred for each other. To fully articulate the factors that lead to collective peace, Nhat Hanh suggests that a mistaken perception of self is the root cause of violence. He stresses the importance of deepening our awareness of the present moment in order to create true peace.

Those frustrated with continually hearing about unsuccessful peace efforts in the news will draw inspiration from these refreshing alternatives. By adapting mindfulness practice techniques to peacemaking, Calming the Fearful Mind is not just an intriguing read, but a benefit to anyone interested in bringing peace to their own lives and by extension to the larger community. — KB

WEBSITE

New American Dream
www.newdream.org

The mission of the Center for a New American Dream is to “help Americans consume responsibly to protect the environment, enhance quality of life, and promote social justice.” Their message is not one of deprivation but of an easily achieved sustainability. The non-profit advocates its goal through the newdream.org website, which serves up a mix of easily accessible options for achieving ecological balance while also getting more of what really matters in life.

The website’s Live Consciously section challenges the conventional meaning of “more is better” by presenting various pages all based on getting more in alternative ways: More Time, More Fun, More Nature, and More Fairness. Pages such as Six Tips to Help You Simplify Your Life, Living Green Below Your Means and Kids and Commercialism Action Tips are well-written, inspiring and action-oriented. The website also offers up a host of valuable tools: a buyer’s guide that not only suggests why certain consumer products are important but links to sites where they can be purchased; Turn the Tide, a simple, nine-step action plan to reduce your ecological footprint and a device for tracking your progress; and junk mail removal forms. The center publishes a number of quality publications and Grassroots Organizing Kits, some of which are offered for free download.

Newdream.org’s eye-catching, yet simple design combined with its numerous interactive tools make browsing through its considerable content an enjoyable and rewarding experience.