Keeping the Peace: Mindfulness and Public Service

Thich Nhat Hanh lead a retreat in August 2003 in Green Lake, WI designed for public safety officers (police, fire, prison guards, etc.). The retreat was entitled "Protecting and Serving Without Stress or Fear", and provided a mindfulness-based approach for all who work in stressful situations. This book provides a summary of that retreat, and is relevant for all who must deal with others in times of crisis.

The focus is on finding peace within oneself, so as to be able to assist others in crisis.

Book Summary:
Part One: Peace in Ourselves
Being in the Here and Now: Walking Meditation
Working without Stress: Mindful Breathing
Transforming Anger: Mindful Consumption (Food, Sensory inputs, Desires, Consciousness)

Part Two: Peace in Our Work Environment
Nourishing a Healthy Work Environment: Watering Seeds of Compassion
Collective Resources: The Second Body System (Community support, Working with a partner)
Companionship and Community: Beginning Anew (Communication, Sharing)
Getting Help: Right Thinking and Right Speech (Transforming anger)

Part Three: Peace in the World
A Safe Place: A Code of Ethics (Agreement rather than authority, Mindful use of power)
Cultivating Compassion: Looking with the Eyes of Compassion (Exchanging self for other)
Feeding the Hungry Ghosts: Deep Listening and Loving Speech
Bringing the Practice to Others: Being a Bodhisattva
Reducing Violence: Looking Deeply, Addressing the Roots of Violence, Taking Compassionate Action.

A very powerful book. And all this in 99 pages! ( )