Critical Reception

Publishers Weekly

a robust reflection on what it means to search for life’s deeper meaning

Lion’s Roar

Brady’s relatable personal stories deal with cultivating self-awareness, healing intergenerational trauma, nurturing authentic relationships, navigating depression, and more.

Parker Palmer

My life has been graced by spiritual teachers from a wide range of wisdom traditions. In this moving book, Richard Brady shares the story of how his life was blessed by his relationship with the great Vietnamese Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. Richard's narrative is so vivid and vulnerable it left me feeling as if I had spent time with Thầy himself. I highly recommend this book to people of any and all backgrounds who seek to make their own “short journey home.” I think you’ll find companionship here, as I did. —Parker J. Palmer (author of Let Your Life Speak, A Hidden Wholeness, and On the Brink of Everything) 

Mary Pipher

Brady is both a seeker and a teacher. He shares his spiritual journey in a heartfelt and honest way. His path illuminates a path for us all

—Mary Pipher (Author of A Life in Light: Meditations on Impermanence) 

Mirabai Bush

Every good student tries to follow their teacher’s guidance, with varying degrees of success. In this very personal book, Richard Brady shows us, with humility and loving honesty, how he took on this formidable task. Through the inspiring teaching of Thich Nhat Hanh, enriched by Judaism and Quakerism, he finds ways to plant and water the seeds of awakening in the specific circumstances of his life. His stories are unique but will resonate with all of us who have searched for the wisdom to transform our lives.

—Mirabai Bush, author with Ram Dass, Walking Each Other Home and Compassion in Action. 

Bryan Garman

Richard Brady is both seeker and spiritual guide, one who deftly explores how Judaism, Quakerism, and his work with Thich Nat Hanh have illuminated his spirit and enabled profound transformation. His poignant narrative carries us compassionately through family drama and routine trauma, all the while expanding our understanding of his teacher and the dharma. Brady demonstrates how and why the path is the way: The road is not always easy, but when this traveler walks it with his capacious heart, when he offers and receives the loving kindness forged in our myriad and dual roles as teachers and learners, the way home opens for author and reader alike.

 —Bryan K. Garman, Ph.D., Head of School, Sidwell Friends School 

Dzung X. Vo, MD
Each story in this lovely collection is more than just a story. It is the discovery of a new insight, inviting us to awaken to our own insights on the path to freedom.

—Dzung X. Vo, MD, Author, The Mindful Teen: Powerful Skills to Help You Handle Stress One Moment at a Time 

Valerie Brown

From math teacher to Buddhist Dharma teacher, fellow Quaker, Richard Brady’s latest book, Short Journey Home is a lively and brilliantly written account of a life transformed.  A work of imagination, generosity, and penetrating wisdom, guided over decades as a student of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and the Plum Village community, Brady’s is a life well lived, saturated with keen insight, character, and boundless heart.

—Valerie Brown, Buddhist-Quaker Dharma teacher in the Plum Village tradition, author of Hope Leans Forward, Braving Your Way with Simplicity, Awakening, and Peace and Healing Our Way Home:  Black Buddhist Teachings on Ancestors, Joy, and Liberation (co-authored with Kaira Jewel Lingo and Marisela B. Gomez, MD).  

Meena Srinivasan

Embark on a transformative journey with Richard Brady's Short Journey Home: Awakening to Freedom with Thich Nhat Hanh, a compelling exploration of mindful living and self-discovery. Brady seamlessly weaves his life story with the profound teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, guiding readers toward their own awakening through deepened connection with the present moment. Through vivid narratives and insightful reflections, the book offers a roadmap for navigating personal transformation and embracing an embodied spirituality. Brady's authenticity and the wisdom of Thầy converge in a powerful exploration of freedom. This evocative and transformative work invites readers to uncover their own stories, aspirations, and the path to their true selves—an engaging and timeless journey illuminated by the enduring teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh.

—Meena Srinivasan, Executive Director of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL) and Author of Teach, Breathe, Learn and SEL Every Day