Living Without Stress or Fear: Essential Teachings on the True Source of Happiness

This has to be, one of the singularly most calming and insightful things I've listened to thus far. Thich Nhat Hanh (a buddhist monk) speaks in an almost whispery voice to an audience who seem thoroughly spellbound by him, and that same atmosphere seems to seep from my device as I listen to it. It is also humourous in places, in a pleasantly uncontrived way, and this further adds to the appeal. I'm learning through listening to try to have my mind just in the present. A lot of wisdom spoken by a very wise man.

I'll start by making clear that I am not someone who usually buys into self help publications. The new age appeal of the Law of Attraction leaves me cold and as for 'The Secret', well I better not say anymore. However I was drawn to this book because the author/ Monk was made known to me and I wanted to hear wisdom that had be truly passed down through the centuries via the Buddhist teachings, which I am completely ignorant of.

Thich Nhat Hahn is not reading from a manuscript here but delivering a talk on his knowledge of Mindfulness and how it applies to our lives. He has a very soft voice and at first I thought this was going to be a problem but after half an hour I was glad this was not presented by a professional reader. In his voice is the wisdom behind the words.

Also, the talk is broken up into six hour long segments which is perfect for those to need to ration their audio listening. This was perfect for me.

This is a book I will listen to several times as there so much that demands revisiting and on many occasions I found myself quite moved by the beauty of the message. This has been one of my best buys for sure.

This was my first introduction to Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk and tireless peace worker, in exile from his native Vietnam since 1996, now living in Plumb Village in southwestern France. As I often listen to my audio books on a night whilst drifting off to sleep this has been a first class choice for me and I listen to it often.

Thich Nhat Hahn is delivering a talk to an audience on his knowledge of Mindfulness and how it applies to our lives. I am so pleased he is the narrator rather than a professional speaker as I feel the content would definitely have been spoiled and we wouldn't feel the wisdom of his words in the same way. His delivery is excellent, his voice is so soft and soothing but he also adds humour, not overtly I must stress, and I often found myself chuckling.

I started practicing Mindfulness straight away and then bought his book, The Long Road Turns to Joy: A Guide to Walking Meditation, to help perfect my walking meditation. I cannot recommend either of these products highly enough and have a number of his other books on my wish list.

I had always lived a fast paced and stressful life and sometimes in these modern times, when everything is about getting things done as quickly as possible, we can find it hard to relax. There are a few keys to this, Mindfulness - just taking the time to think about things in the moment. Breathing, if you practice it, you will be truly amazed and Gratefulness.

Buy it, if you just take some calm and enjoyment from it that's good, but if you decide to follow Thich Nhat Hanh's direction you won't regret it.

The recording sounds like it was made with a hand held tape recorder. In some places it was very difficult to work out what was being said.

I am so sorry to have to write this as I so wanted to enjoy this audiobook, the recording quality in places is so poor, I am straining to understand some of the dialogue, and it distracts from the content, I know it is meant to be calming but it made me frustrated.