This is an excellent book, written by a teacher of paramount skill, renown and reputation. Thich Nhat Hanh starts by orienting us to a different meaning of power, the kind gained through faith, diligence, mindfulness, concentration and insight. This is counter to how most people in the modern world conceive of power – money, fame, influence. He also gives a deep look at what happiness is, how we conceive of it, and how we often deceive ourselves with regards to it.
He takes the reader step by step how these manifest in our practice, and our lives, as well as the fruit they bring. He spends time educating on the importance of sangha, of working as a collective, and emphasizes the importance of bodhicitta, known as the mind or heart of enlightenment, which prizes consideration of others in skillful ways.
At the end of the day, if you are powerful, what is it for? He lands firmly on being able to benefit those we love and care for, and to reduce suffering in the world. The book offers many concrete practices and encouragement to bring the path of mindfulness into our work and daily interactions, and also includes a considerable reflection from Yves Chouinard, founder of the company Patagonia, as he worked to bring his business into alignment with his values. Thich also draws on his considerable life experience while working for peace in the days of the Vietnam war, and shares stories of his experiences in North America, Europe, and his return to Vietnam after a 40 year exile.
This is the kind of book designed to help propel you forward along the Bodhisattva path, to enrich our practice and affirm our orientations to helping others achieve well-being by offering ourselves, to the best of our ability, as a font and a stable presence. The practices offered herein can be used on a daily basis by anyone to help increase happiness and move towards favourable outcomes in their work, family and daily interactions.