Because I need to read critically when reading ARCs (advance reader copies), I sometimes reach for lighter material after I’ve done a couple in a row. While I was on vacation, I came across a copy of How to Walk by Thich Nhat Hanh and picked it up. Every time I find a book of his in the wild that I don’t already have a copy of, I grab it. Although I had brought a couple books with me that had been in my TBR pile for much longer, this one jumped the line because it was exactly what I needed in that moment.

Summary

I’ve covered several of Thich Nhat Hanh’s books on here previously. This includes several from his “How To” series. Each one discusses an aspect of daily life and ways to practice mindfulness there. This particular installment focuses on mindful movement, namely walking. While his advice is presented through the lens of Zen Buddhism (as he was a monk), it can be beneficial to those of any faith or denomination. He encourages minimizing multitasking in order to fully connect with the moment you are in. The present moment is where all of our power lies. How we move in this moment is all that matters.

My Thoughts:

Thich Nhat Hanh’s writing never fails to make me feel better. Whatever state of mind I’m in, a few paragraphs from him will help to elevate that state. His words are especially helpful when stress is getting to me. By the end of a reading session, I feel more relaxed, but also inspired. This title was no exception. With the current state of the world, most of us could benefit from writing like his.

While you don’t need to be one to appreciate his work, I am a Buddhist. Meditation is an important part of my practice. As someone with ADHD and OCD, I’ve found that moving meditations are often easier for me than stationary ones. At one point in time, I even went so far as to become a certified yoga instructor. (I have since let that certification lapse.) It’s more natural to me to be mindful of movement than of stillness. Therefore, How to Walk struck a deep chord for me. Anyone else who has struggled with meditating in stillness will likely feel similarly.

As with the rest of the titles in this series, How to Walk is a very quick read. I paused to process after most pages and still finished reading in the space of an afternoon. These books are not expensive (you can likely borrow them from your library too), and a minute commitment of time. I strongly recommend getting your hands on at least a few of them.

Content Warnings: War, Imprisonment, Historical Turmoil

After I Finished How to Walk

I’ve gotten a bit behind on writing up my reviews after getting home from my vacation. I’ve actually already finished the next book as well. I finished reading it while on the plane back home. It was a title from an author that I knew I would like before having read any of her work. Her books have been recommended to me repeatedly by many different people. I was confident enough that I’d like her voice that I had two of her books in my TBR pile before ever reading one. Thankfully, everybody was right.

My next review will be for A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher.