The Art of Communicating Kindle Edition

I’ve read hundreds of books in my life. As an English major in college, an English teacher for six years, and simply a person who enjoys reading, I’ve consumed a lot of literature. This is the first book I have ever read that I wanted to go on and on forever. Reading this produces the same feeling as spending time with a good friend who always believes in your capacity to be the best possible version of yourself. It provides not just warmth and comfort, but guidance for forging deeper and healthier connections with everyone around you. It feels like a meditation, inspiring you to reconnect with yourself and embrace your thoughts rather than run away from them. In just 160 pages, the book offers countless approachable concepts, and you can apply them within your first few minutes of opening it. If you care about others, whether it is all others or a select few, this book should be required reading. It will help you fall in love with yourself and feel equipped to love the world. I want to buy a copy of this for everyone I know. Whoever you are, you need this.

I have been on the "spiritual path" for about 10 years now. I have had many spiritual experiences: past lives experienced in meditation, merging with cosmic consciousness and I even watched Joel (the name given to this form at birth) die (ego death). Even with experiencing profound realizations I have had a big challenge in communication. Namely I have always wanted people to listen to what I have to say. I end up talking very fast (usually because I feel like I need to get everything out before someone interrupts me) and have always wondered why people don't really listen to me? For these communication challenges and many more are what led me to this book. I wasn't even looking for a "spiritual communication" book, but now I understand even better that communication is one way our realizations as a human being may be actualized and lived in our life. This book isn't really "spiritual" per-se, but does have fundamentals based in the Buddhist tradition.The following section blew me away with an insight I had never heard before: "We communicate to be understood and to understand others. If we're talking and no one is listening (maybe not even our own selves), we're not communicating effectively." These two sentences slapped me awake. Listening to myself while I talk? I had never heard of that concept said before. I thought talking meant I was supposed to talk..100%! This talking, without myself actually listening to the words coming out of my mouth has gotten me into quite a bit of trouble in communication. I see now that people don't listen to me very much because they are a reflection of myself! I don't even listen to my own words coming out of my mouth, why would others? I have been practicing listening to myself when I talk, it is not the most natural thing, but I am learning.Right after these two sentences were these ones that mirrored my personal challenges in communication perfectly: "We all want to be understood. When we interact with another person, particularly if we haven't practiced mindfulness of our own suffering and listened well to our own selves, we're anxious for others to understand us right away. We want to begin by expressing ourselves. But talking first like that doesn't usually work. Deep listening needs to come first. Practicing mindfulness of suffering- recognizing and embracing the suffering in oneself and in the other person- will give rise to the understanding necessary for good communication."I also have the tendency to still judge others and have known for quote some time that this has been hurting my spiritual/human progress. The author suggests we practice deep listening, where the primary goal is to help the other person suffer less. This is a very simple suggestion, though what impact would it have on your life if you actually practiced this in every conversation? So instead of trying to be "right", to sound intelligent or gain approval from others as primary motives for communication, what if we substituted our own Being instead...full of compassion? Do you think your relationships would be transformed? I know mine would and see that offering compassion is the way I can connect better with others in communication and therefore, both others and I will be happier and better off because of it.These are a few highlights that really stood out for me. I am sure you have your own challenges in communication, that's why you are reading this review. I suggest that you push that little button called "add to cart", you can thank me after you finish reading "The art of communicating." Take care and best of luck with your progress to a more authentic way of communication.

I read the book in less than 3 days. Very helpful in picking your words and tone of voice when talking to friends, family or significant other during disagreements. Easy read. I'd buy it as a gift for high school level teens. It's a great way to initiate problem solving skills.

Although the author says you don't have to be Buddhist to understand this book,I'm sure it would help. I had to read several passages multiple times to get the point of what Hanh was telling me.That said, a lot of the principles presented here would probably help people communicate more effectively. I'm planning to try them to see.

As I write this, Thich Nhat Hanh has just experienced a major cerebral hemorrhage. Knowing this makes me very mindful of his immeasurable gifts to humankind. This book is one of them. I will be surprised if I ever consider one of his books not worth wording, but this deserve to go to the top of your to-read list.

I really enjoyed this book. I wanted to read it to help myself in communicating with others, as I am not always the best at communicating and this is great. This book isn't some traditional style of "self help". It really delves into Buddhist traditions and allows you to follow the path while being open to others. A++

This is a remarkably useful book. While we are taught how to read and to speak, almost no one learns how to listen properly. I can tell if you are a poor writer or poor speaker but neither you or I can tell if you are a great listener. Thich Nhat Hanh has found a way to help readers become outstanding communicators by learning how to be a better listener. Reading this book and following the suggestions that are within will transform the reader into an outstanding listener. When you learn to be this kind of listener all day long, then you will develop enduring, loving relationships with the most important people in your life. This will make you one of the most important and influential persons in your sphere of connections with family, coworkers, and community. This book is worth taking time to study it closely and master the Art of Communications.

Every Thicht Naht Hahn book I have ever read has been inspiring and positive. I recommend his books to anyone going through a hard time or wishing to grow as a person. Interpretation can even be secular if one leans that way. The love he promotes can be appreciated by people of all backgrounds and religions.

I really like Thich Nhat Hanh especially for the simple wisdom which he brings to the issues facing us in the 21st century. I have read a number of his books and in this one, while the message is brilliant, the book itself is not so great. The style of writing is a bit off putting at times as it is repetitious; he just keeps making the same points in a slightly different way. Maybe I’m missing something here and maybe I was too anxious just to get to the end of the book. It just might be that it needs to be savoured and read slowly and then re-read. Not his best, but a lovely message and practical ways to ensure that all our relationships in life are founded on positive communication and deep listening.

Didn't really know what to expect, when I ordered this book. This book made me think very differently. opened my mind up. Would highly recommend, excellent book.

I have been learning and reading about communication for many years and still, I found a lot of practical wisdom in this book. Deeply rooted in the Buddhist wisdom and yet providing plenty of practical ways to be at peace with others and find ways to improve relationships.

A brilliant book by brilliant author who articulated himself perfectly, as always. Knowing how to communicate is one of the greatest powers.

It is obvious that the writer lives and breathes his subject. I sometimes prefer to read the westernised versions of mindfulness based books because they are more contextual. However, this book is very accessible and oozes wisdom and simple steps to take along the way. An an read read from a true Master!