Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet

Vietnamese poet, scholar, peace activist, and Zen master Nhat Hanh (Peace Is Every Breath) has been a Buddhist monk for nearly eight decades and has developed keen insight into approaches for living a better life. In his latest book, Nhat Hanh proposes ways to think about the myriad challenges facing the planet and to strengthen one’s own “clarity, compassion, and the courage to act.” The central concept is that making positive change in the world requires individuals to first change their own habitual negative ways of thinking. The bulk of the material is derived from Nhat Hanh’s Zen teachings, with sources in his writings, speeches, interviews, and Q&A sessions (edited here by his students, with notable commentary from Sister True Dedication). The book presents Nhat Hanh’s Five Mindfulness Trainings in a non-sectarian manner, so they can be applied universally.