Present Moment Wonderful Moment: Mindfulness Verses for Daily Living, REV. ED.

Thich Nhat Hanh, Illustrated by Mayumi Oda

Present Moment Wonderful Moment, Rev. Ed. is an inspiring handbook of "mindfulness poems" or gathas. Reading these poetic yet practical verses can help us slow down and enjoy each moment of our lives. There are verses for waking up to "24 brand new hours," "taking a shower", "answering the telephone," and "starting the car." After each verse, Thich Nhat Hanh offers reflections on it, with insights into the issues of our day.

REVIEW

"This small volume — simply and unassumingly wise — is a true miracle that gently reminds us who we are and what we are doing...a subtle ballast that settles our racing minds and transports the mundane into the spiritual." —East/West Journal

ISBN: 978-1-888375-61-9, Revised edition, Paperback, 114 pages.

Also Available in:
Large Print and other editions for readers with learning difficulties or visual impairments: ReadHowYouWant

Contents

VERSES FOR STARTING THE DAY

1. Waking Up
2. Taking the First Step of the Day
3. Opening the Window
4. Looking in the Mirror
5. Using the Toilet
6. Turning on the Water
7. Washing Your Hands
8. Brushing Your Teeth
9. Bathing
10. Looking at Your Hand
11. Washing Your Feet
12. Getting Dressed

VERSES FOR MEDITATION

13. Inviting the Bell to Sound
14. Hearing the Bell
15. Entering the Meditation Room
16. Sitting Down
17. Lighting a Candle
18. Offering Incense
19. Praising Buddha
20. Finding a Stable Sitting Position
21. Adjusting a Meditation Posture
22. Opening the Sutra
23. Closing the Sutra
24. Following the Breath
25. Hugging Meditation
26. Greeting Someone
27. Cleaning the Meditation Room
28. Sweeping
29. Cleaning the Bathroom

VERSES FOR EATING MINDFULLY

30. Looking at Your Empty Plate
31. Serving Food
32. Contemplating Your Food
33. Beginning to Eat
34. Finishing Your Meal
35. Washing the Dishes
36. Drinking Tea

VERSES FOR OTHER DAILY ACTIVITIES

37. 37. Walking Meditation
38. Gardening
39. Planting Trees or Other Plants
40. Watering the Garden
41. Cutting a Flower
42. Arranging Flowers
43. Washing Vegetables
44. Throwing Out the Garbage
45. Smiling at Your Anger
46. Using the Telephone
47. Turning on the Television
48. Driving the Car
49. Turning on the Light

Sample Chapter

Washing the Dishes

Washing the dishes
is like bathing a baby Buddha.
The profane is the sacred.
Everyday mind is Buddha's mind.

To my mind, the idea that doing dishes is unpleasant can occur to us only when we are not doing them. Once we are standing in front of the sink with our sleeves rolled up and our hands in warm water, it is really not bad at all. I enjoy taking my time with each dish, being fully aware of the dish, the water, and each movement of my hands. I know that if I hurry in order to go and have dessert, the time will be unpleasant, not worth living. That would be a pity, for every second of life is a miracle. Thedishes themselves and the fact that I am here washing them are miracles!

Each thought, each action in the sunlight of awareness becomes sacred. In this light, no boundary exists between the sacred and the profane. It may take a bit longer to do the dishes, but we can live fully, happily, in every moment. Washing the dishes is at the same time a means and an end- that is, not only do we do the dishes in order to have clean dishes, we also do the dishes just to do the dishes and live fully each moment while washing them.

If I am incapable of washing dishes joyfully, if I want to finish them quickly so I can go and have dessert and a cup of tea, I will be equally incapable of doing these things joyfully. With the cup in my hands, I will be thinking about what to do next, and the fragrance and the flavor of the tea, together with the pleasure of drinking it, will be lost. I will always be dragged into the future, never able to live in the present moment. The time of dishwashing is as important as the time of meditation. That is why the everyday mind is called the Buddha's mind.

Add Present Moment Wonderful Moment to your cart