Thank you for your continuing efforts in publishing The Mindfulness Bell. It truly serves as such in our household. I like to leave it around to happen upon it while doing other work. Seeing it, like seeing an altar in the room, I am reminded to come back to myself as if a bell had rung. Our daughter is two years old and we can use all the reminders we can to breathe.

Tycho Speaker
Santa Cruz, California

Recently, while eating breakfast, I mentioned to my daughter, Grace, that I was thanking the cow who made the milk surrounding the cereal. A little later, she said, "You're eating a blade of grass too." I looked into her eyes and said, "Yes." Wondering if my understanding was the same as hers, I asked her what she meant. She said, "The cow ate the grass to make the milk." Smiling, I said, "Yes, that's right." "And you're eating the sun." "And a cloud." "And a drop of rain." We were quiet for a moment, and then Grace said happily, "I learned that on 'Sesame Street.'" Imagine my surprise and pleasure to realize that "Sesame Street" was teaching interbeing.

Anna Gilman
Geneva, New York

I am very amazed at how strong a "little" magazine like The Mindfulness Bell can be. I especially enjoy the way that Thich Nhat Hanh explained the precepts. When I first started to work earnestly with the precepts, I realized that I am constantly breaking them. But as Thay points out, we cause harm to many organisms when we boil water. The challenge for me is how to live with awareness of such interconnections and to become more mindful in my thoughts, words and actions. Thay uses the North Star to say that the precepts are a guide and cannot be attained. Living by the precepts has meant living with greater awareness of where I am but, more importantly, it has taught me that it is okay for me to be right here, right now.

DeVoil Devane II
Maury, North Carolina

I read each issue of The Mindfulness Bell. How can I find words to tell you how much I have enjoyed them and been moved by a phrase, a word, someone's letter, or experience. It is clear that a lot of work and love go into the preparation of each issue.

Ena Linares
Barcelona, Spain

I just finished reading Peace Is Every Step. I was left with a beautiful sense of myself and things around me. I have always practiced mindfulness. I just was not aware of its origins. I practice mindful breathing now, and it is amazing. So many people my age are wasting their time with drugs and other harmful things, and here I am discovering myself. I feel so blessed. I would like to read more books by Thich Nhat Hanh and others. I am so hungry for knowledge and would very much like to understand more.

Ceri Hitchcock-Hodgson, age 16
Union City, California