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All 16 learnings · one per slide
The Miracle
of
Mindfulness
Thich Nhat Hanh, in bytes
16 key learnings from Thich Nhat Hanh's introduction to mindful living.
16 learnings · ~40 sec eachSwipe →
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The Miracle of Mindfulness, in bytes
16 key learnings from Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh's gentle guide to mindfulness, originally a letter to a fellow worker. Each takes about 40 seconds to read. Swipe, use the arrows, or your keyboard.
The Miracle
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Learning 1 · Introduction
A Letter to a Friend
Background
Thich Nhat Hanh wrote the book as a letter to Brother Quang, a worker in a Vietnamese social service school, during the war.
Purpose
To help social workers stay mindful amid hardship.
Takeaway
Mindfulness supports service.
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Learning 2
Washing the Dishes
The teaching
Wash the dishes to wash the dishes, not to get them done.
Example
Feeling the water and each dish.
Try this
Wash dishes with full attention.
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Learning 3
Eating a Tangerine
The teaching
When eating a tangerine, really eat it, aware of each segment.
Example
Not thinking about the next thing while eating.
Takeaway
Be present with simple pleasures.
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Learning 4
Walking on Earth
The teaching
The real miracle is not walking on water, but walking on the earth, aware of each step.
Example
Walking slowly, feeling each step.
Takeaway
Ordinary life is miraculous.
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Learning 5
Conscious Breathing
The teaching
The breath connects body and mind; following it brings you back to the present.
Example
Counting breaths from one to ten.
Try this
Follow ten breaths now.
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Learning 6
The Half Smile
The practice
Wear a gentle half smile to relax the face and bring calm.
Example
Smiling slightly when you wake up.
Try this
Half smile during a stressful moment.
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Learning 7
A Day of Mindfulness
The practice
Set aside one day a week to live mindfully, doing everything slowly and with attention.
Example
A slow, attentive Sunday.
Try this
Plan a mindful morning this week.
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Learning 8
Mindfulness in Work
The idea
Any task can be done mindfully, from writing to cleaning.
Example
Answering letters with full attention.
Takeaway
Work can be meditation.
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Learning 9
The Pebble
The practice
Imagine yourself as a pebble sinking slowly through clear water, coming to rest.
Example
Using the image to relax before meditation.
Takeaway
Settle into stillness.
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Learning 10
Observing Feelings
The idea
Observe feelings without judging or suppressing them.
Example
Noticing anger as it arises, like a guest.
Takeaway
Feelings come and go.
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Learning 11
Interbeing
The idea
Everything is connected; nothing exists separately.
Example
A sheet of paper contains the cloud, the rain and the tree.
Takeaway
We are interconnected.
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Learning 12
Three Questions
The story
Nhat Hanh retells Tolstoy's story of a king seeking the most important time, person and task.
The answer
The most important time is now, the most important person is whoever you're with, and the most important task is to help them.
Takeaway
Focus on now and who's in front of you.
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Learning 13
Compassion Meditation
The practice
Meditate on someone who has hurt you, trying to understand their suffering.
Example
Picturing their circumstances and pain.
Takeaway
Understanding leads to compassion.
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Learning 14
Mindfulness of the Body
The practice
Be aware of the body's positions and movements.
Example
Noticing when you sit, stand or walk.
Takeaway
The body anchors attention.
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Learning 15
Mindfulness Is a Practice
The idea
Mindfulness grows through daily practice, not theory.
Example
Returning to the breath many times a day.
Takeaway
Practise gently and often.
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Learning 16
Peace in Every Step
The idea
Peace isn't far away; it's available in every mindful step and breath.
Example
Finding calm while doing ordinary tasks.
Reflect
Which everyday task could become a mindful practice?
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All 16 learnings complete
That’s all 16 learnings.
Wash the dishes to wash the dishes. Which everyday task could become a mindful practice?
Abhay Kumar JaiswalFCA · PMP® · Workday Financeabhayjaiswal.com
Summaries in my own words. Read the book for the full stories.
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Summaries are written in my own words for learning. Read The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh (1975) for the full stories. More Books in Bytes