Calming the Fearful Mind

Calming the Fearful Mind:  A Zen Response to Terrorism 

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Parallax Press, Berkeley, California    © 2005    130 pp.

“Only by calming our minds and looking deeply inside ourselves will we develop the insight to identify the root causes of terrorism. With compassion and communication, terrorism can be uprooted and transformed into love.” 

Thich Nhat Hanh suggests that terrorism is not something that exists outside of ourselves: it cannot be located and then eradicated. It arises from the anger, fear, misunderstandings and cravings in the mind. Through the practice of mindfulness, we find the awareness and strength to look at these and to face our own suffering, and that of others. Out of this process, appropriate solutions to conflicts can arise.

Nhat Hanh looks closely at relevant aspects of war, torture and terrorism, and offers thought-provoking insights based on his own life experience. He then offers practical steps that can be taken by individuals, couples, organizations, and governmental bodies to address the sources of terrorism and instead to nourish communication, connection and peace. One could conclude that these are naïve and idealistic notions, but he offers concrete examples of these being put effectively into practice.

This lucid and beautifully written book invites us to see clearly that we can take steps in our daily lives which can make a profound difference in the world. We can learn to communicate, even with our enemies, in ways that open up understanding and healing. As Nhat Hanh points out, we can’t really be safe unless we care for the safety and well-being of everyone.

-- reviewed by Robin Bundy