Thich Nhat Hanh is an expatriate Vietnamese Buddhist monk, as well as a teacher, author, poet, and peace activist. Martin Luther King, Jr. nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967 for his efforts to reconcile North and South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Hanh was part of a movement called "engaged Buddhism", which combines traditional practices with nonviolent civil disobedience, and he was exiled by both the Communist and non-Communist governments. He is a respected writer and scholar, and founded a retreat in France called Plum Village. Hanh has written several books, including The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: An Introduction to Buddhism, Peace Is Every Step, and Living Buddha, Living Christ.

In this expansion of the teachings on mindful living begun in his best-selling "Being Peace, " Thich Nhat Hanh offers specific, practical instructions on extending meditation practice into one's daily life. The book features the conflict resolution tool of the Peace Treaty, the author's thoughts on a "diet for a mindful society" based on his interpretation of the Five Mindfulness Trainings, and early, prescient writings on the environment. Focusing on what is refreshing and healing in the world, he says, can be the basis for transforming society and the self.