Endorsements
Practicing Mindfulness: Finding Calm and Focus in Everyday Life
This book offers simple, transformative exercises that you will return to again and again as you journey on the path. A wise and heartfelt guide to living mindfully and meeting our moments with clarity and presence.
—Tara Brach, Author of Radical Acceptance and Radical Compassion
Moment by Moment offers a simple and elegant teaching that can change your life.
—From the first edition by Jack Kornfield
It is rare, indeed, that a publisher honors both a book, and its author by printing a second edition of a work twenty-five years after its initial publication. But that is the reality for the book Moment by Moment which, in its new incarnation, is titled Practicing Mindfulness: Finding Calm and Purpose in Your Everyday Life. Mindfulness is a very front burner concept in the world of spirituality, and Jerry Braza is a leading spokesperson for that practice. In this book, Jerry articulates the many virtues of mindful living, breath awareness, “lingering longer,” and their importance and impact for the health of our body, mind, and spirit. Like his teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh, Jerry lives what he writes, he practices what he preaches. In his quiet, gentle way, he embodies the essence of mindfulness, and he exudes the peace and joy that is the fruit of being mindfully present to the present. In this new edition, Jerry communicates the wisdom gleaned over the twenty-five years since his earlier writing; it is a book that has life-changing potential.
—Tom Stella, Author of CPR for the Soul and In Sync with the Sacred, Out of Step with the World
Here in one, simple book is distilled the light and love of a lifetime along the path. This warm and wise, gentle and joyous book beautifully confirms for me how the way is easy and wide. The rest is up to you. Word by word. Breath by breath. Moment by wonderful moment.
—Gary Gach, Author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Buddhism and Pause ... Breathe ... Smile
A delightful book for people who are restless ‘doers’ like myself. It teaches you how to be in the moment. I highly recommend it for all ‘busy bees’ and restless souls.
—from now deceased pioneer on death and dying, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, M.D., from the first edition
Endorsements for Seeds of Love
Both down-to-earth and profound, this book explains how to be mindful of the garden of your life—and then out of kindness to yourself and others, pull weeds and plant flowers. Deceptively simple, it is actually a comprehensive guide to the seeds of true happiness and loving relationships. A lovely, wise, encouraging, first-rate book.
—Rick Hanson, Ph.D., author of Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom
I knew after only a few pages of Jerry Braza’s book that I was being led into the world of spiritual gardening …
… by a person who had deeply integrated in his daily life the practice of mindfulness, as taught by Thich Nhat Hanh. With years of experience as a teacher, Jerry shows us how to tend the inner garden of our lives with gentleness and loving-kindness. Sometimes our garden needs some refreshing water, while at other times it hungers for some good, nourishing mulch. And then there are the times when our heart and soul just need some time to rest and lie fallow, to be lazy and free, dwelling fully in the present moment. His book is the work of a gentle, master gardener—on every level. As I read Jerry’s words, I could not help but be reminded over and over of the words of St. John of the Cross, the great Spanish mystic and disciple of St. Teresa of Avila, who said: “Where there is no love, sow love and you will harvest love.” I look forward to using Jerry’s book in my own practice and teaching.
—Dominican Brother Brian Pierce, OP, author of We Walk the Path Together: Learning from Thich Nhat Hanh and Meister Eckhart
Nothing is more precious than our loving relatedness with each other. In The Seeds of Love, Jerry Braza explores how the practice of mindfulness can awaken our hearts. Inspired by the rich and deep teachings of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, this book is filled with beautiful quotes, reflections, and meditations.
—Tara Brach, clinical psychologist and founder of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington, author of Radical Acceptance
A relationship cannot be twisted into some preconceived idea or manipulated according to one’s ego demands. But it will naturally and inevitably grow into a beautiful plant if given the proper nutrients. Jerry Braza has written a wise and gentle book on mindful relationships that shows how this natural development occurs. He avoids simplistic answers and offers deeply felt observations based on his own journey into the wonder of the present moment. He illustrates some of the true miracles that grow from mindfulness. He builds his gentle suggestions for nurturing relationships on the solid foundation of awareness of the present moment—in one’s own being and in one’s interconnected being.
—William Martin, author of The Tao of Forgiveness, The Caregiver’s Tao Te Ching and The Couple’s Tao Te Ching
Put on your walking shoes and prepare yourself for a lovely time in the garden of love. Take Jerry’s hand as he invites you into the rich landscape of the inner garden. Jerry is a wise and gentle guide. The sun is out, there is a warm breeze on your face, and you are in the company of an elegant teacher. Savor each step as well as each page. This is a wonderful book.
—Peggy Rowe Ward, Ed.D. and Larry Ward, Dharma teachers and authors of Love’s Garden
“Love is a verb as well as a noun.” This book provides an intimate account of how Buddhist teacher Jerry Braza has integrated the teachings of Thich Nhat Han into the everyday simple events of his life, work and family relationships. He inspires us with generous and practical advice about how to cultivate the many aspects of love, so that love can become woven into the fabric of our life, remaining in the world as our legacy after we die.
—Jan Chozen Bays
Dharma teacher at the Great Vow Monastery and author of Mindful Eating: A Guide to Rediscovering a Healthy and Joyful Relationship with Food and How to Train a Wild Elephant: And Other Adventures in Mindfulness