Books heal well, but like medicine, each book is suitable for its own group of readers.

Từ trái qua: nhà báo Võ Huỳnh Tấn Tài; nhà báo, nhà văn Bùi Tiểu Quyên; sư cô Suối Thông giao lưu với người tham dự - Ảnh: HỒ LAM — From left to right: journalist Vo Huynh Tan Tai; journalist and writer Bui Tieu Quyen; nun Suoi Thong interact with participants - Photo: HO LAM

On the evening of April 17, within the framework of the 3rd Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day, a discussion on Healing with Books took place with the participation of speakers: nun Suoi Thong; journalist and writer Bui Tieu Quyen; journalist Vo Huynh Tan Tai.

During the seminar, speakers discussed the role of books in human life and mental health.

Books are a healing medium for the soul.

For nun Suoi Thong, using the phrase "healing" to talk about books is quite accurate.

Sometimes when the body is not well, we need to heal, the same goes for the soul. Sometimes when people encounter something uncertain or unstable, they will need many support methods.

"Books are a good means of healing. However, like medicine, each book will solve a specific problem and is only suitable for a certain group of people," said nun Suoi Thong.

Sư cô Suối Thông chia sẻ - Ảnh: HỒ LAM — Nun Suoi Thong shares - Photo: HO LAM

Nowadays, not only adults have mental problems but children can also encounter them.

A few days ago, writer Bui Tieu Quyen said she went to meet and interact with students at a high school.

She was surprised and heartbroken when she heard a 9th grader say: "Our generation also has depression problems and we feel very alone."

Tieu Quyen said that her little friend turned to books because thanks to books, she didn't feel lonely.

"No matter what age or job we do, we will have more or less sadness and hurt in life and have to overcome it ourselves.

But at that time, we may not see clearly what we are going through to find a solution, so books are like a friend whispering, guiding us to reflect, to find ourselves again through each word" - writer Tieu Quyen shared.

According to Tieu Quyen, of course, books cannot heal immediately, but it is like watering a tree. The tree takes root and clings to the soil, and the roots are the strength and inner faith of each person.

"The power of books is invisible but very strong, it can help us overcome obstacles and suffering in life that cannot be seen overnight. It is a process" - she affirmed.

Books are spiritual support when people lose connection.

Journalist Tan Tai asks why young people today are so easily disconnected? And are we losing our direct connection with each other?

He believes that young people are exposed to many technological means, connecting indirectly with each other. Real-life connections are forgotten.

There are many opinions that agree with him. One reader even asked:

"Life is getting busier, young people are getting lonelier and they tend to seek joy from social networks and technology to heal. So is there a way to keep them from forgetting paper books?"

Writer Tieu Quyen said that seeking joy through computer screens, phones with Facebook, TikTok with countless things to entertain will make us feel lonelier because in reality we are talking to flat screens and they have no emotions.

She recommends that readers read books in nature. Because space gives us resonance.

"Reading a book amidst the sounds of leaves, flowing water, the flapping of duck wings, and the sound of birds flying back to their nests shows us a clear connection with nature" - Tieu Quyen shared.

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