Find peace and calm amid the busyness of your life with this mindfulness meditation book by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. Designed to be both inspiration and guidebook for those new to mindfulness practice, Making Space offers easy-to-follow instructions for setting up a breathing room, listening to a bell, sitting, breathing, and walking meditations, and cooking and eating a meal in mindfulness. Whether you live alone or with a family, this beautifully illustrated book can help you create a sense of retreat and sanctuary at home.
Thích Nhất Hạnh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist who then lived in southwest France where he was in exile for many years. Born Nguyễn Xuân Bảo, Thích Nhất Hạnh joined a Zen (Vietnamese: Thiền) monastery at the age of 16, and studied Buddhism as a novitiate. Upon his ordination as a monk in 1949, he assumed the Dharma name Thích Nhất Hạnh. Thích is an honorary family name used by all Vietnamese monks and nuns, meaning that they are part of the Shakya (Shakyamuni Buddha) clan. He was often considered the most influential living figure in the lineage of Lâm Tế (Vietnamese Rinzai) Thiền, and perhaps also in Zen Buddhism as a whole.
Wow, this tiny book is a real treasure! I'm always enamored with Nhat Hanh's books, but this one is really exceptional! It gets right into the best ways to create and maintain a home meditation spot and practice. It's filled with beautiful mantras and insight. It's just the book I needed as I set up a meditation spot in my new home. I will be returning to this book many times. It's a quick read, but it runs very deep. Strongly recommended for anyone interested in meditation and mindful living!
Enjoying the vibe this little book creates in Thich Nhat Hanh, Making Space: creating a home mediation practice invites thoughtful ideas as I prepare to renovate the office and further improve the rest of the business property.
With warmer weather on the horizon, this means a new pollinator garden. Training last year's grapevine plantings to engulf their territorial eight foot high wire walls built especially for them. A fourth-year robust strawberry garden’s produce. Zen spaces of which a room and front porch now affectionately called, Zen Den’s.
One of the chapters inspired me to contact a friend who is a practicing Buddhist nun. The section on tea meditation and self-help village planted some ideas to collaborate on as the neighborhood beautification committee chair and helper. The focus is on attitudes not landscaping.
This book is very inspirational. Not just for personal peace. How to plant and grow world peace beginning in the immediate spaces occupied.
Very exciting stuff for me. Partnering with scripture find my faith life improving enthusiastically. Inside with all the peace studies I’m currently participating in find it difficult to outwardly express the inward vibe.
Scripture doesn’t have a template for how to set up spaces which makes this small book a fun inclusion with tips for making “Peace, be still” a whole other level of happiness.
“Making an Alter” felt familiar as it’s a familiar connection to scripture. Though the ideas gleaned actually were unlike any I’ve researched previously.
To reflect at a deeply loving space thought wouldn’t it be cool to host pictures of people when I felt most loved by them? Then, this would fill space that might still reside in a painful corner.
This will include both family and people whom I’ve lost to death or some other circumstance.
As a person who’s passed the middle point in life am seeking peace in a new way. I’ve found studying with books like this so interesting and helpful to discovering places inside and making room for more of “no thing” exciting.
The reference “no thing” is found in Eckart Tolle’s The Power of Now. This is a great study of attachment and it’s foibles toward peace and more.
I’ve found simplifying mental space to be very freeing and helpful for my veteran diagnosed PTSD. Family and friends have reflected a remarkable difference. As have I.
If you’ve ever experienced overwhelm to the point of feeling no return for any reason this might be the additional read for you.
No matter what faith background you are, practicing mindfulness is non-religious. Some people find prayer certain ways their mindful go to. Others like myself find pew prayers not as immediate as the need typically.
Momentary mindfulness is with a person 24/7/365 every second of the day.
To me, God is in the in breath. Exhale is my reciprocation. We work with each other together. I realized this many years before discovering the world of Thich Nhat Hanh’s guidance.
Fun facts, Thay meaning teacher if you consider him this keeps a photo of Jesus on his alter and believes in his teaching. Buddhism isn’t a religion. It’s a practice. Though some people devotedly focus anyone can be who they are faith wise and also enjoy the benefits of this part of a journey, as well.
People had told me negative and incorrect information as a young adult about these sorts of experiences. Yet, offered no solutions to my efforts to healing. The standard Christian responses were judgmental and alienating across the board from Protestant verses Catholic and Baptist plus Pentecostal backgrounds. I’ve seen this happen to many people who are pushed out of their faith practice, as a result.
For me, the beginners mind is where I live by choice. Even scripture shares about being like children to pursue deeper connection.
After doing a lot of research and listening to very cultured members who practice once had a leader say be careful and do a lot of research because it’s important to understand so that you are safe.
Meaning, there are people who go overboard and have committed suicide because their mental health couldn’t withstand the deep practices available.
Me, I’m like, “I don’t need to be that enlightened”. And, elected at that moment to remain a beginner eternally. Here I never get past what’s now. I don’t worry about over doing it or under doing for this matter.
I practice life in the moment. Work to practice how to improve upon this. Which lead me to the word of the year, Peace.
I even laugh at thinking the theme song from Grease is replaced with Peace. #PeaceistheWord2022
I’ve been at this for a few months now and my life is more deeply transformed through this focus then I’ve ever noticed prior.
I think doing steps discovered in places like this book that fit my lifestyle rather then replicate a template very freeing, encouraging, and helpful.
Something that’s been on my mind since seeing in another review wanted to address here. As you know the cover of the book is a woman sitting.
People complained. They prefer seeing Thich Nhat Hanh. Think it’s a marketing money grab. As a consultant know this is true for any book ever. Books are published for revenue.
In this case benefit the community who do wonderful work. But, none the less it’s still a business deal.
I thought about the cover and decided the picture represents the audience. Envision yourself sitting in the space created upon reading this book.
The publisher thought the vision of what we do with the space is the focus. I can easily replace this woman with myself and see myself in the space.
This is just my two cents of the possible why. The book is for us to create with ideas.
The book is less than 100 pages. Each chapter has a lovely black and white illustration that looks as though it was done in watercolor with a mindful thought in regards to the next chapter.
“The Cake in the Refrigerator” is a concept for me from a different view. I use to say, “It’s not about the sweater” to someone I loved and we would know this meant we could talk about the personal meaning of something difficult for me to express.
The story was about an old sweater given to me by someone I had loved and lost. My fiancé reacted to this in a way that caused pain between us.
When we realized what was behind the pain for each of us came up with the saying, “It’s not about the sweater.” This cue helped us know there needed to be time set aside for a deeper conversation.
I really like this chapter because it outlines things I hadn’t thought of I trust most of not all people could find benefit from employing and maybe even have fun using this tool.
I could go on an on at what I got out of this book. To me this is pointless because the book is for each of us to use individually. Employ the inspiration faced that will be most helpful.
It’s like scripture, we may all hear the same message, but everyone should do their own research and manage how the word impacts us individually for the most benefit.
How I approached the book was a chapter at a time. Highlighted a few important things that impacted me. Rested on this and allowed creativity to encourage possible ways I could use this. Then read the next chapter. I did not run through this in a sitting. Though could have.
For me, Making Space is likened to a decadent meal. One bite at a time chewed completely offers optimal digestion and nutrients.
Remembering as a kid being told to chew all food before swallowing. Someone once told me 36 chews for meat to help break it down. Not sure about this and I’m not googling it 😊
A lot of people gulp down large bites without enjoying the taste. Or even consider the purity of ingredients. Neglecting absorbing the love meal offer. Probably because a lot of people don’t take the time to reflect where food comes from or is processed and prepared.
If you’ve never grow a strawberry. Prepared it for storage or a meal. It would be difficult to understand the taste differentiation from a refrigerated mass produced strawberry. Grown with chemicals to be larger and make a profit.
To me, this book merely points out ways to be aware and make choices how to live with oneself and others at a level of thoughtfulness that supports deep wellness.
Imagining if everyone tried this how much more peace and happiness we’d have with ourselves and the energy into the world that would impact those around us. How much happier life might be.
I’ve read studies about how happiness is contagious. This could be true for the one person who fixed up their property. Or, the saying, “misery loved company”.
Think about how the world is dealing with war at the moment. After two years of rolling in pandemic drama. Now this.
What if we all read this book. Every single human. We all make space for peace. Every single human. Okay, how about half of 7.8 billion? A quarter? And on down the line. How about just me?
This reminds me as a child being asked what I wanted. It was during the Vietnam war which raged through my early life. The most pronounced memory was of a poster of piled bodies. I was about six at the time.
Anyhow, I’d been dissuaded from wanting world peace to be my answer because it’ll never happen. There’s no way to get everyone on board.
What I’ve learned is peace begins with me. If I focus all my energy on this I’ll become a virus like has happened in regards to happiness.
I’ve also learned being around people who aren’t if similar mindset isn’t helpful for them. Though I practice being intact and spreading like a peace pandemic. Even if it’s focused on the energy within.
This is how I’ve learned to solve world peace.
As you can tell by this review and sharing the book inspires me. I certainly hope it will you, as well.
Who doesn’t want more peace, joy, happiness and to share this in the world?
If you don’t now, maybe this easy read will help. It’s up to each of us to decide.
Hope this was helpful and interesting. Often I like to share how a book impacts me and offer ideas to keep the context going and flowing. If you are please like and share
Notes: ‧ Clear the Clutter ‧ Be Mindful of Happiness ‧ Place Visual Cues To Stop and Be Aware of the Present Moment
Gattas: Poems —Reminders to stop during the day (Exa.) To place near the light switch "Forgetfulness is the darkness, mindfulness is the light, I bring awareness to shine upon all life."
‧ Focus on breathing, use nature cues, even if for only a few mindful breaths
‧ Find a sitting area to focus on conscious breathing, separate from common areas, if possible
In the Zen tradition, the sound of the bell is invited, we don't 'strike' or 'ring' the bell. A wooden stick is usually used as the 'inviter.'
In Zen tradition, the sound of the bell is known as Buddha's voice. (I thought this was beautiful. High frequency, makes sense!)
Breathing while listening to the bell can calm the body + emotions + stop all thinking.
INCREASE PEACE + HARMONY ‧ Restore peace + joy + freedom by practicing breathing with the bell for 10, 15, or 30 mins a day!
Making A Home Altar —Doesn't mean we are bowing to or worshipping these things, they are visual cues to come back to the present moment + reclaim our peace. (Exa.) Place a stone that says IN + OUT on the altar, to be conscious of breath. I like to use a mini side table as an "altar" or at one time, had a birdbath I used, on it, I had placed a book of poems, a candle, and a crystal. I'd glance at it whenever stressful situations would arise and focus on staying conscious of my breath. Now I also have a plant, a Venus Fly Trap, helping remind me that I can devour what I go after with intention, as well as many other messages.
Metta: Loving Kindness "To love is, first of all, to accept ourselves as we are."
Practicing Metta Meditation helps us to stop and see where we are.
"The intention to love is not yet love."
‧ The kitchen should be a place of meditation —Offer incense, infuse love, and mindfulness in cooking. Practice 3 mindful breaths before eating. Keep a shelf or vase in the kitchen. Each bite contains the sun + the Earth (the life of the planet + the whole cosmos). Contemplate food before every bite! Cleaning up the kitchen, do it as one washes a baby- sacred.
"When we eat in mindfulness we can see that the entire universe is supporting our existence."
(I want to print off the 5 Contemplations for food, to hang on the fridge.)
Deep relaxation is nourishing. We should practice deep relaxation every day.
Practice SMILING at each organ, every part of the body. —Smile at the heart, the liver, the skin, etc. (Spend extra time on the areas that need healing.)
This audiobook was included in Amazon's Audible Plus Catalog. I was under no obligation to write a review, my honest opinion is given voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is such a sweet little (very little!) book about setting up space at home for meditation. I loved all of it! Also liked the bit where you pretend you have cake in the fridge and then if you're arguing with someone you say 'I've just remembered there's cake in the fridge' - even if there isn't. And then you breath, and make tea and have a little treat. And hopefully peace is restored. Thanks for buying this for me Bert!!
A very brief and easy read. Thich Nhat Hanh is very direct about setting up a home sanctuary space for having a mindful practice. A good reminder for habits and rituals that I already have extended into my space at home. Making Space: Creating a Home Meditation Practice avoids spiritual materialism which I find particularly valuable.
Read earnestly with compassion by Edoardo Ballerini, this audio version provides the listener with practical advice about creating and sustaining a safe place for silence and meditation. True to Thich Nhat Hanh's positiveness, the advice is within the context of mindfulness, peace and a sense of "you can do it". It's a great reinforcement of principles, but not exclusive to Buddhism. You can listen again and again, because with Hanh you are never alone. He is with you, supporting you...
I’ve been more interested in learning about mindfulness and meditation for the past year or so. This tiny book lays out mindfulness and creating a mindfulness space well. I can’t wait to add to my own mindfulness practice.
This book was an easy, quick read and easy to understand.
This is a very short book about setting up a place to meditate but it also talks about meditation and mindfulness in general. If you meditate or are thinking about it, this is worth reading.
A gem of a little book that I bring out once a year or so. It can be read in a half hour, but shouldn't be. It's one of those books filled with wisdom that is best read slowly to let it all sink in and become part of one's life.
What an amazing and profound little book. This book is very small and only about 100 pages, but it has meaning and information in every word.
Thick Nhat Hanh goes through various aspects of your life (eating, sleeping, sitting) and provides useful ways to bring mindfulness a part of daily practice. His wisdom is thought provoking and the book has a lot of great practices that you can incorporate even for those who are not Buddhist themselves.
I will say the book is very short, and often led me wanting more. I think this is a great beginning book for anybody who wanting to live a more mindful life and learn love and compassion by looking within ourselves. Warning: It will leave you wanting to read more, which is good because he has a number of other amazing books as well.
Look deep within yourself through meditation and learn peace, love and compassion. Meditation will literally change your life and this is is a great book to start with!
Very accessible presentation of mindfulness meditation by one of the most revered Buddhist teachers of our time, Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. His simple instructions for Metta, or loving kindness, meditation can take any willing student into the practice immediately. I have recommended it to clients and given copies as gifts. The brevity and clarity of this book make it very appropriate for any beginning seeker of the contemplative way. And yet it carries deep teachings nourishing for any traveler on the dharma road.
A quick read at 85 pages that covers the basics of creating a meditation space for yourself. Chapers include: stopping, breathing, sitting, a breathing room, inviting the bell, the cake in the refrigerator, making an altar, metta meditation, cooking and eating, and sleeping.
Thich Nhat Hahn is a Zen Buddhist monk and not all elements he covers are ones that I include in my Vipassana practice - but the principles are the same and I found this book a really good read to start off 2015.
It's a bit weird to assign stars to a book like this, but I'll give it 5 stars because it has a lot of self love practices that make sense and should bring some peace each day. A dear friend loaned me this book and a couple of others a few years ago when a lot of heavy things finally coalesced and had me pretty messed up emotionally. I started this book then but I hadn't finished it. I came across it again hidden away in a safe place and decided it's time to read and return them. I'm going to start putting some of this into practice because having someone who is completely inconsiderate in the same location really destroys the peace and sanctuary you should be able to find in a home. I feel it affecting me and need to find a way to get rid of some of the anxiety. So I think I'll have to put together a breathing corner. I am interested in some of the other practices he recommends as well.
I love all writings by Thich Nhat Hanh and this little book did not disappoint. I now own this book on both my Kindle and as an audibook (and soon to buy it in hardcopy). This book is not only practical, but helpful for both body, mind and spirit.
Sometimes, it's hard to know where to start with meditation and it's easy to just give up because you don't know how to begin. Making Space is perfect because each chapter is simple, easy to understand and gives examples on how to breathe, meditate and just be.
Reading this book is almost like a meditation in itself. I felt more relaxed and peaceful even though I hadn't even meditated yet. An essential book for beginners on creating a meditating practice, but also a great refresher for anyone who has strayed from the path of peace. One of my favorite Thich Nhat Hanh books!
All the religions of the world have something to offer us. Long a student of Christianity, in 2018 I began investigating some of the teachings of Zen Buddhism. Nhat Hanh is a leader in these teachings, especially making the practices of meditation accessible for non-Buddhists and Westerners. Making Space is a succinct little book that offers practical tips for introducing a home meditation practice. Our busy Western lives need so much more of this! We need to learn to be at peace in our homes, with ourselves, and with our families. Turn off the TV, practice mindfulness, read, pray, meditate, and learn to be happy and at peace in the "now." This is another book that can be read straight through, but is better enjoyed bite-by-bite. Highly recommended.
Incredibly short. Redundant, particularly if you’ve read anything else TNH has written. Biggest takeaways were the idea of putting mindfulness triggers up around the house, which reminded me of my Baptist grandparents putting up sticky-note verses, as well as the concept of creating an altar with ties to all that we hold dear and wish to give reverence to. TNH writes that on his altar, he has a picture of the Buddha and a picture of Jesus, and says to have something on an altar does not mean we worship it or what it represents, but that we respect it and have it there as a reminder of what we believe and follow.
5 stars, this would be a fantastic intro to the TNH bibliography and is reasonably priced, given its duration, as an audiobook from Libro.fm.
This Vietnamese Buddhist monk wrote a simple and short read for those interested in starting with meditation.
Keep in mind that this is not a detailed guide on exactly how to meditate, but more a summary of Hanh's advice how to be mindful in all aspects of your life.
The audio book has been given the smooth and calming voice of Edoardo Ballerini, and I would definitively recommend listening the book vs reading it.
Like all of his other books, this one is also extremely (but especially) short and written in a calm tone. I appreciated the information provided to establish areas of mindfulness throughout the home (in the kitchen, in a separate room etc) through the usage of bells, alter (with anything to remind us to be mindful), and occasional silent meals with the family. The book is simple and uncomplicated. It expands a bit on how a meditation room would work and what you would need. For some reason I wished that there were more info but I guess the beauty of it is the ease and simplicity of writing and information. I would not choose this as the first book to read in meditation or mindfulness. It’s also not the first book I’d choose from Thich Nhat Hanh if I wasn’t familiar with him. There are better books to set a foundation including Peace is Every Step and You Are Here by this author.
This pocket-sized booklet contains elaborated suggestions for a homestead meditation practice. It is written by one of the best authors on meditation and mindfulness in the world: Thich Nhat Hanh. It has inspired me to add elements to my own home in a way that brings peace and tranquility. I recommend this book to those who want to make their environment feel more welcoming and naturally peaceful.
This is a great little book (it’s actually very small in size, you could put in a purse or pocket) and it talks you through the basics of setting up a meditation spot in your home. If you know nothing about it, it’s a great starter to help you understand the basics. I already practice, but still found helpful tips and reminders that I will use. Really enjoy his work, always speaks in simple terms so you get it.
A superb gem packed with straightforward but very helpful how to information - so much in such big meaning in a a little book by Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh. Highly recommended for anyone frazzled or unsure about how to start looking within, introduction to mental self care and and nourishment.