Thich Nhat Hanh is a respected and beloved Vietnamese Buddhist monk living in exile in France. He is well known for his writings on Buddhism and mindfulness as well as his peace work. In 2003 Nhat Hanh’s French retreat/monastery, Plum Village, was the site of a gathering for Israelis and Palestinians to come together and share their stories and their pain with each other.

The descriptions of interactions between the Palestinians and Israelis were very interesting but much too brief. From the title I was hoping to have more than just a small percentage of this slim book detail these talks. Also interesting but too brief, were Nhat Hanh’s descriptions of being a young monk in Vietnam, working to rebuild schools and clinics only to have them destroyed (unfortunately by American bombings) many times over.

Most of the book is about the internal spiritual work one must do in order to hear another’s pain through your own anger. It gives guidance how mindfulness and meditation can bring you through your anger to hear the suffering of the person you’re angry at—whether it’s the enemy on the other side of a centuries old war or a loved member of your family.

Although I am not a Buddhist, there is much about Buddhist philosophy that I admire and I always come away from Thich Nhat Hanh’s works feeling that I have gained insight. ( )