99. Thich Nhat Hanh
It’s hard to believe that this is my 99th posting and that I started on June 19th and it is now September 25th. AND hard to believe all of that and that I have not once mentioned Thich Nhat Hanh.
He is a Zen master, poet, and peace advocate, originally from Vietnam, now living in a small community in southwestern France. He has written innumerable books and has profoundly influenced my life.
I have been impressed with my ability to breathe and smile (which he recommends first thing in the morning), but I guarantee that if you do it during the day when you’re frustrated or angry, that little act of a very small smile almost immediately changes your frustration and anger.
I cherish his book A Guide to Walking Meditation, for the words and the encouragement to walk mindfully each day, and also for the beautiful and calming-in- themselves illustrations by Yasuhide Kobashi. Compare the pictures of Thich Nhat Hanh on this book and on some of his later books—on the front of this one he is very young. I heartily recommend everyone getting acquainted with this person.
