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    The Art of Communicating
    The Art of Communicating
    The Art of Communicating
    Ebook122 pages2 hours

    The Art of Communicating

    By Thich Nhat Hanh

    4.5/5

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    About this ebook

    THE TIMELESS, LIFE-CHANGING BESTSELLER · Definitively discover the key to lasting relationships and happiness through mastering life’s most important skill

    “Thich Nhat Hanh shows us the connection between personal, inner peace and peace on earth.” —His Holiness the Dalai Lama

    Communication eternally binds us, in relationships with lovers, friends, and family, at work, and in our everyday interactions. Yet many of us feel lonelier and more disconnected than ever. We struggle to convey our needs, establish boundaries, and best represent our true selves. What if a few simple, mindful changes to our communication styles can lead to the healthiest and most secure connections we’ve ever experienced?

    Now it can. In this precise, practical, and spiritual guide, Zen master, Buddhist monk, and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee, Thich Nhat Hanh journeys us on a lasting path forward—one that reveals how to listen mindfully and express yourself with conviction, confidence, and above all, compassion. With examples from Hanh’s work with couples, families, and international conflicts, The Art of Communicating pushes us to ask the most critical questions, such as:

    ·      How can we listen with empathy and understanding?

    ·      How can we resolve conflict in a way that is mutually beneficial?

    ·      How can finally understanding and learning from our past help shape our future?

    ·      How can the “6 Mantras of Loving Speech” effectively transform the way we connect with others, and ourselves?

    The Art of Communicating helps us move beyond the perils and frustrations of misrepresentation and misunderstanding to learn the listening and speaking skills that will forever change how we experience and impact the world.

    Editor's Note

    Communication is key…

    This powerful tome by revered Buddhist monk and Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh is full of positive aphorisms, which reveal that intentionality is the key to effective self-expression.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateAug 13, 2013
    ISBN9780062224682
    Author

    Thich Nhat Hanh

    Thich Nhat Hanh was a world-renowned Buddhist Zen master, poet, author, scholar, and activist for social change, who was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was the author of many bestselling books, including the classics Peace Is Every Step and The Art of Living. Through his books and retreats at the monasteries he has founded in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Australia, he became a pre-eminent figure in contemporary Buddhism, offering teachings that are both deeply rooted in ancient wisdom and accessible to all.  Sister Chan Khong is Thich Nhat Hanh’s most senior monastic disciple and lifelong collaborator. A leading force in his engaged Buddhism programs and humanitarian projects, her books include Learning True Love and Beginning Anew. Sister True Dedication is a former journalist and monastic Dharma Teacher ordained by Thich Nhat Hanh. 

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    Reviews for The Art of Communicating

    4.5/5

    199 ratings24 reviews

    What our readers think

    Readers find this title to be a wonderful and insightful book that has made a significant difference in their lives. They appreciate the practical and actionable steps provided for better communication, as well as the compassionate tone of the author. The simplicity of the language and the organization of thoughts make it a comprehensive and easy read. The book is highly recommended for individuals interested in mindfulness and improving their communication skills.

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      This is one of the books that changed my life. Non-preachy, practical... it just really reframed for me what other people hear when I say things... and how to reframe/really hear what they say.I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to have functional relationships!
    • 5/5
      The teachings in this book, the way he explains and uses metaphors so vivid and real. I love this book I have highlighted a lot and took a bunch of notes. I’m not practicing the art of communicating
    • 4/5
      Great Book. Mindfulness is the key to live a rich , content and full life.
    • 3/5
      This book is very good advice... in a perfect world
    • 5/5
      every his words are precious, and easy to read and understand.
    • 4/5
      Good book to read and is a goos source of communication
    • 4/5
      Sol true. Real advice for being grounded and grow with love peace and harmony. Loved this journey, listening to him through wisely written words.
    • 5/5
      The book has made a significant difference in my life and I'm only at page 14.
    • 4/5
      This book didn't really turn out how I thought it would but I liked it regardless. It is basically a practical guide on how to improve our relationships. The first half of the book stood out for me. It did shed light on how to improve our communication with ourselves and with others which does seem simple but would take time and patience to master. The diction was simple making it really easy to absorb.

      Although some parts leaned towards the Buddhist lifestyle, there were deep lessons I would definitely keep with me. And I especially loved the six mantras, mastering them would certainly change your life positively.
    • 5/5
      EXCELLENT! This is one of the greatest books created today.
    • 5/5
      Beautifully written. Very insightful. Things that we often take for granted when done right can have such a deep impact in the quality of our lives.
    • 5/5
      It's a wonderful book and I'm practicing it too and can feel the changes in me and around me.
    • 5/5
      Very insightful. Guarantee reading for individuals who is having trouble living without mindful awareness.
    • 4/5
      I liked this book. A little dry at times but it provides practical and actionable steps you can take today to communicate better with your loved ones. I love the fact that the authors tone is incredibly compassionate and understanding. It makes you aware of some of the flaws you might have when it comes to communicating without making you feel guilty.
    • 5/5
      You are my newest mentor now. You gave me new insights on how to practically live and appreciate life and all that surround me. Mindful Awareness is everything! Thank you my mentor!
    • 5/5
      Everything from Mindfulness of thought, compassion and action. Breathe in and Breathe out...
    • 5/5
      very comprehensive because of the simplicity of the language, the art of organizing the thoughts is mindful that depicts the authentic nature of how the author communicates himself with others.
    • 5/5
      If you are interested in mindfulness communication this book breaks it down into really easy steps. Take notes and try to use them in different situations of your life.
    • 5/5
      Teaches the righteous way to live,love and communicate with compassion

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      In general, I do like the book. The concepts have been expressed simply and, one might even say, simplistically. However, they are indeed hard to follow. The one thing that I would recommend to anyone, is that they read 'The Art of Mindfulness" first, and live that, before they approach this book. The danger in these books, in my opinion, is that if they are practised superficially then, you end up suppressing a lot of anger and other negative emotion. So, do practise the principles, but not in isolation.

      2 people found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Great and easy read for people who want to learn to speak love.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Very practical tips on improving communication and also touches on many other aspects of living and dealing with conflict.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 3/5
      It was ok. There was a lot of fluff. By that, I mean that he included text from other books he has written. So, there wasn't a lot here that was new for me, but it was still a good book with a good message and some great ideas for enabling better communication.
    • 4/5
      Overall, it is a good book. It helps you getting back to yourself. That is so difficult these days. You are farther from yourself. I loved Six mantras presented in the book to manage communication.

      2 people found this helpful

    Book preview

    The Art of Communicating - Thich Nhat Hanh

    Contents

    1 Essential Food

    2 Communicating with Yourself

    3 The Keys to Communicating with Others

    4 The Six Mantras of Loving Speech

    5 When Difficulties Arise

    6 Mindful Communication at Work

    7 Creating Community in the World

    8 Our Communication Is Our Continuation

    9 Practices for Compassionate Communication

    About the Author

    Books by Thich Nhat Hanh

    Copyright

    About the Publisher

    1

    Essential Food

    Nothing can survive without food. Everything we consume acts either to heal us or to poison us. We tend to think of nourishment only as what we take in through our mouths, but what we consume with our eyes, our ears, our noses, our tongues, and our bodies is also food. The conversations going on around us, and those we participate in, are also food. Are we consuming and creating the kind of food that is healthy for us and helps us grow?

    When we say something that nourishes us and uplifts the people around us, we are feeding love and compassion. When we speak and act in a way that causes tension and anger, we are nourishing violence and suffering.

    We often ingest toxic communication from those around us and from what we watch and read. Are we ingesting things that grow our understanding and compassion? If so, that’s good food. Often, we ingest communication that makes us feel bad or insecure about ourselves or judgmental and superior to others. We can think about our communication in terms of nourishment and consumption. The Internet is an item of consumption, full of nutrients that are both healing and toxic. It’s so easy to ingest a lot in just a few minutes online. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use the Internet, but you should be conscious of what you are reading and watching.

    When you work with your computer for three or four hours, you are totally lost. It’s like eating french fries. You shouldn’t eat french fries all day, and you shouldn’t be on the computer all day. A few french fries, a few hours, are probably all most of us need.

    What you read and write can help you heal, so be thoughtful about what you consume. When you write an e-mail or a letter that is full of understanding and compassion, you are nourishing yourself during the time you write that letter. Even if it’s just a short note, everything you’re writing down can nourish you and the person to whom you are writing.

    Consuming with Mindfulness

    How can you tell what communication is healthy and what is toxic? The energy of mindfulness is a necessary ingredient in healthy communication. Mindfulness requires letting go of judgment, returning to an awareness of the breath and the body, and bringing your full attention to what is in you and around you. This helps you notice whether the thought you just produced is healthy or unhealthy, compassionate or unkind.

    Conversation is a source of nourishment. We all get lonely and want to talk with someone. But when you have a conversation with another person, what that person says may be full of toxins, like hate, anger, and frustration. When you listen to what others say, you’re consuming those toxins. You’re bringing toxins into your consciousness and your body. That’s why mindfulness of speaking and mindfulness of listening are very important.

    Toxic conversation can be difficult to avoid, especially at work. If it is going on around you, be aware. You need to have enough mindful awareness not to absorb these kinds of suffering. You have to protect yourself with the energy of compassion so that when you listen, instead of consuming toxins, you’re actively producing more compassion in yourself. When you listen in this way, compassion protects you and the other person suffers less.

    You absorb the thoughts, speech, and actions you produce and those contained in the communications of those around you. That is a form of consumption. So when you read something, when you listen to someone, you should be careful not to allow the toxins to ruin your health and bring suffering to you and to the other person or group of people.

    To illustrate this truth, the Buddha used the graphic image of a cow that has a skin disease. The cow is attacked by all kinds of insects and microorganisms coming from the soil, coming from the trees, coming from the water. Without skin, a cow can’t protect herself. Mindfulness is our skin. Without mindfulness, we may take in things that are toxic to our body and mind.

    Even when you simply drive your car through the city, you consume. The advertisements hit your eyes, and you’re forced to consume them. You hear sounds; you may even say things that are the products of too much toxic consumption. We have to protect ourselves with mindful consumption. Mindful communication is part of this. We can communicate in such a way as to solidify the peace and compassion in ourselves and bring joy to others.

    Relationships Don’t Survive Without the Right Food

    Many of us suffer because of difficult communication. We feel misunderstood, especially by those we love. In a relationship, we are nourishment for each other. So we have to select the kind of food we offer the other person, the kind of food that can help our relationships thrive. Everything—including love, hate, and suffering—needs food to continue. If suffering continues, it’s because we keep feeding our suffering. Every time we speak without mindful awareness, we are feeding our suffering.

    With mindful awareness, we can look into the nature of our suffering and find out what kind of food we have been supplying to keep it alive. When we find the source of nourishment for our suffering, we can cut off that supply, and our suffering will fade.

    Often a romantic relationship begins beautifully, but then, because we don’t know how to nourish our love, the relationship begins to die. Communication can bring it back to life. Every thought you produce in your head, in your heart—in China they say, in your belly—feeds that relationship. When you produce a thought that carries suspicion, anger, fear, irritation, that thought is not nourishing to you or to the other person. If the relationship has become difficult, it’s because we’ve nourished our judgment and our anger, and we haven’t nourished our compassion.

    One day in Plum Village, the French retreat center where I live, I gave a talk about how we needed to nourish our loved ones by practicing loving communication. I spoke about our relationships as flowers that need watering with love and communication to grow. There was a woman sitting near the front who was crying the whole time.

    After the talk, I went to her husband, and I said, My dear friend, your flower needs some watering. Her husband had been at the talk and knew about loving speech, but sometimes we all need a friend to remind us. So, after lunch, the man took his wife for a drive in the country. They just had an hour or so but he focused on watering the good seeds the whole drive.

    When they came back, she seemed completely transformed, very happy and joyful. Their children were very surprised, because in the morning when their parents had left, they’d been sad and irritable. So in just an hour, you can transform another person and yourself, just with the practice of watering the good seeds. This is applied mindfulness in action; it’s not theoretical.

    Nourishing and healing communication is the food of our relationships. Sometimes one cruel utterance can make the other person suffer for many years, and we will suffer for many years too. In a state of anger or fear, we may say something that can be poisonous and destructive. If we swallow poison, it can stay within us for a long time, slowly killing our relationship. We may not even know what we said or did that started to poison the relationship. But we have the antidote: mindful compassion and loving communication. Love, respect, and friendship all need food to survive. With mindfulness we can produce thoughts, speech, and actions that will feed our relationships and help them grow and thrive.

    2

    Communicating with Yourself

    Loneliness is the suffering of our time. Even if we’re surrounded by others, we can feel very alone. We are lonely together. There’s a vacuum inside us. It makes us feel uncomfortable, so we try to fill it up by connecting with other people. We believe that if we’re able to connect, the feeling of loneliness will disappear.

    Technology supplies us with many devices to help us stay connected. But even when we’re connected, we continue to feel lonely. We check our e-mail, send text messages, and post updates several times a day. We want to share and receive. We might spend our whole day connecting but not reduce the loneliness we feel.

    We all hunger for love, but we don’t know how to generate love in order to feed ourselves with it. When we’re empty, we use technology to try to dissipate the feeling of loneliness, but it doesn’t work. We have

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