In this classic collection of lectures, Buddhist monk, scholar, poet and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh shows us that suffering is not enough; for in order to achieve peace, we must be peace. Quite simply, if we are not happy, if we are not peaceful, we cannot share peace and happiness with others. Therefore, Thich Nhat Hanh explains how, if we are to change the world, we must begin with ourselves and awaken the loving potential of our own Buddhist natures. We must learn to smile at the wonders that surround us every day, for if we cannot smile, the world will not have peace.

Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese poet, bestselling author and peace activist, has been a Buddhist monk for over 40 years. He was chairman of the Vietnamese Buddhist Peace delegation during the Vietnam War and was nominated by Dr Martin Luther King for the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1966 he visited the US and Europe on a peace mission and was unable to return to his native land. Today he heads Plum Village, a meditation community in south-western France, where he teaches, writes, gardens and aids refugees worldwide. Websites include: www.interbeing.org.uk and www.plumvillage.org