drowned in forgetfulness.’ In this enlightening series, world-renowned spiritual leader Thich Nhat Hanh shares the foundations of self-mastery through the act of smiling. This uplifting guide shows us how to transform hurt into healing and practice presence.
THICH NHAT HANH is the best known Zen master in the world.
BUDDHISM/PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
£6.00
THICH NHAT HANH HOW TO SMILE
‘Smiling means that we are ourselves, that we have sovereignty… we are not
T H I C H N H AT H A N H
HOW TO SMILE
penguin.co.uk
Cover design: Two Associates
‘THE MO NK W HO TAUGHT THE WO RL D MIN DFULNESS’ TIME
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T H I CH N HAT H A NH
HOW TO SMILE
1 Rider, an imprint of Ebury Publishing 20 Vauxhall Bridge Road London SW1V 2SA Rider is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com
Copyright © 2023 Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism, Inc. Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism has asserted their right to be identified as the author of this Work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 First published in Great Britain by Rider in 2023 First published in the United States by Parallax Press in 2023 Illustrations by Jason DeAntonis www.penguin.co.uk A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Paperback ISBN: 9781846046551 Printed and bound in Great Britain by Clays Ltd, Elcograf S.p.A. The authorised representative in the EEA is Penguin Random House Ireland, Morrison Chambers, 32 Nassau Street, Dublin D02 YH68 The material in this book comes from previously published books and unpublished Dharma talks by Thich Nhat Hanh. Penguin Random House is committed to a sustainable future for our business, our readers and our planet. This book is made from Forest Stewardship Council® certified paper.
Contents Notes on Smiling 1 Practices for Smiling 109
We have a lamp inside us, the lamp of mindfulness, which we can light any time. The oil of that lamp is our breathing, our steps, and our peaceful smile.
Notes on Smiling If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.
A smile can relax hundreds of muscles in your face and relax your nervous system. A smile makes you master of yourself.
2
The essence of our practice can be described as turning suffering into happiness. The basic method is to be mindful of refreshing and beautiful things in the present moment.
3
Life is filled with suffering, but it is also filled with many wonders, such as the blue sky, the sunshine, and the eyes of a baby. To suffer is not enough. We must also be in touch with the wonders of life. They are within us and all around us, everywhere, anytime.
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Recognizing and Accepting
If we can recognize and accept our pain without running away from it, we will discover that although pain is there, joy can also be there at the same time.
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