MINDFULNESS AS A BRAKE ON HABIT ENERGY

Thich Nhat Hanh, Beyond the Self: Teachings on the Middle Way (Berkeley, CA: Parallax Press, 2010) ("Our habit energy is what causes us to repeat the same behavior thousands of times. Habit energy pushes us to run, to always be doing something, to be lost in thoughts of the past or the future and to blame others for our suffering. And that energy does not allow us to be peaceful and happy in the present moment." "The practice of mindfulness helps us to recognize that habitual energy. Every time  we can recognize the habit energy in us, we are able to stop and to enjoy the present moment. The energy of mindfulness is the best energy to help us embrace our habit energy and transform it." Id. at 43. From the backcover: "Beyond the Self is Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's original translation of and commentary on one of Buddhism's central teachings, The Sutra on the Middle Way. With thoughtfulness and compassion, Nhat Hanh shows us how we can avoid extreme views and transcend dualistic thinking, and in doing so transform the way we see the world. With a whole section devoted to practical application of the sutra, Nhat Hanh suggests that instead we find equanimity by making peace with the moment that exists. When we practice according to the Middle Way, we don't exclude anything, even our dissatisfaction and suffering. Nhat Hanh reminds us that when we embrace all experiences and aspects of life, we can find tranquility.").