There aren't many voices in this world that feel like home the moment you hear them—soft but powerful, simple but transformative. For me, one of those voices has always been Thich Nhat Hanh. His teachings have been a guiding light through my own healing journey—offering peace in the chaos, compassion in the ache, and a steady reminder to come back home to the present moment.

His passing in 2022 was such a tender loss to the world, but his presence and wisdom live on through his books, his community, and the millions of hearts he's touched—including mine. This is a love letter to the man who taught us how to breathe, how to be, and how to walk through life with mindfulness and compassion.

A Life Rooted in Compassion

Born in Vietnam in 1926, Thich Nhat Hanh entered monastic life as a young man and would go on to become one of the most influential spiritual teachers of our time. He dedicated his life to peace, healing, and presence—founding Plum Village in France and inspiring generations with his quiet strength and revolutionary gentleness. His life was a true example of compassionate service—offering us not just words, but a way of being.

The Practice That Changes Everything

If there’s one thing Thich Nhat Hanh gave to the world in the most accessible and beautiful way, it’s mindfulness. He reminded us that peace isn’t something we need to chase—it’s something we return to, moment by moment. In his book The Miracle of Mindfulness, he shares practical, everyday ways to invite presence into our lives: while washing the dishes, walking, even drinking tea. His gift was in the simplicity—teaching us that the sacred is found in the small things, the here and now.

Everything is Connected

One of the teachings that has stayed with me the most is his wisdom on interbeing—the deep interconnectedness of all life. We don’t exist in isolation. What we do, say, feel, and believe ripples outward. In The Art of Communicating, he teaches that our words can either nourish or harm, and that through deep listening and loving speech, we can heal even the most fractured relationships. That kind of wisdom feels so needed in the world today.

A Peaceful Warrior

Thich Nhat Hanh was a peacemaker in every sense of the word. He spoke out during the Vietnam War and continued to advocate for non-violence, compassion, and social justice throughout his life. His book Being Peace reflects the way he lived—reminding us that inner peace and outer peace are not separate, and that being fully present with ourselves is the foundation for any meaningful change in the world.

A Heart-Centered Legacy

His teachings on love are some of my favorites—so clear, so warm, and so human. In How to Love, he writes that “understanding is love’s other name,” and those words have stayed with me. He showed us that real love isn’t performative or dramatic—it’s presence, care, deep listening, and a willingness to see another as they are. That is the kind of love I try to bring into my own life and work.

Carrying His Light Forward

Thich Nhat Hanh’s work was never about building a following—it was about planting seeds. And he’s planted so many in me. His books are never far from reach, and his voice echoes in my daily life—reminding me to breathe, to pause, to offer compassion to myself and others.

Even though he is no longer physically here, his legacy continues to grow. Through every mindful breath we take, every moment we return to presence, every small act of love—we carry him forward.

Below are some of my favorites that are wonderful introductory reads: