Published in 2015 and rated 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon, “How to Walk” is one part of a series of mindfulness books like “How to Eat,” “How to Connect” and “How to Love,” all written by the Vietnamese Buddhist Zen master, poet and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh, who was one of the world’s most revered and influential spiritual teachers.
The book is a guide to mindful walking. Through simple yet poetic language, the author invites readers to slow down and truly feel each step, as he believes walking becomes more than just movement when it serves as a way to connect with the present moment, with nature and with the inner self.
Throughout the book, Hanh also talks about his short reflections and breathing techniques that could help make daily activities into a form of meditation, delivering a core message to his audience that peace, joy and clarity are easy to achieve, even through the smallest acts such as walking. For example, walking slowly while at the same time focusing on breathing allows someone to focus and be in the present moment.
In addition, he believes that there is no rush needed, as the point of the practice of walking is not reaching a destination but instead learning how to walk. Each step, according to Hanh, is an arrival at concentration, joy and enlightenment.
While the majority of reviewers found the book to be helpful and enjoyable, a few others disliked the repetitive concept of “walking” throughout the pages. Instead of the author introducing new insights, they believe that he kept repeating the idea of walking and focusing on emptying the mind and breathing.
Regardless, “How to Walk” is a great read for people searching for a reminder to live more consciously, one step at a time.