How to Love

Book excerpt: Thich Nhat Hanh shares timeless wisdom and mindfulness meditation practices in this pocket-sized, illustrated guide about cherishing the many ways love manifests in our lives. How to Love is the third title in Thich Nhat Hanh’s series of mindfulness books for beginners and seasoned practitioners. This time, he brings his signature clarity, compassion, and humor to the thorny question of how to love. He distills one of our strongest emotions down to 4 essentials: • You can only love another when you feel true love for yourself • Love is understanding • Understanding brings compassion • Deep listening and loving speech are key ways of showing our love How to Love shows that when we feel closer to our loved ones, we are also more connected to the world as a whole. Thich Nhat Hanh applies this timeless wisdom to the core areas and relationships of our lives, including: • Love vs. Need • Being in Love • Reverence • Intimacy • Children and Family • Reconciling with Parents With meditations you can do alone or with your partner, How to Love is a unique gift for those who want a comprehensive yet simple guide to understanding the many different kinds of love, perfect for those practicing in any spiritual tradition, whether seasoned practitioners or new to meditation.