The Sound of Silence : The Selected Teachings of Ajahn Sumedho

The sound of silence is like a subtlety behind everything that you awaken to; you don't notice it if you're seeking the extremes. Yet as we start to become more poised, more present, fully receptive of all this moment has to offer, we start to experience it vividly and listening to it can draw us ever--deeper into the mysteries of now. Always skillful and good humored, Ajahn Sumedho's teachings defy boundaries. Anyone--from laypeople looking to deepen their grasp of the Buddha's message, to lifetime Buddhist monastics--will appreciate the author's sparkling insights into to such key Buddhist themes as awareness, consciousness, identity, relief from suffering, and mindfulness of the body. The Sound of Silence represents the best of Ajahn Sumedho's masterful work to help us all see each life with a new and sustaining clarity. This Landmark Collection Is The Definitive Introduction To The Buddha's Teachings In His Own Words. The American Scholar Monk Bhikkhu Bodhi, Whose Voluminous Translations Have Won Widespread Acclaim, Here Presents Selected Discourses Of The Buddha From The Pali Canon, The Earliest Record Of What The Buddha Taught. Divided Into Ten Thematic Chapters, In The Buddha's Words Reveals The Full Scope Of The Buddha's Discourses, From Family Life And Marriage To Renunciation And The Path Of Insight. A Concise Informative Introduction Precedes Each Chapter, Guiding The Reader Toward A Deeper Understanding Of The Texts That Follow. In The Buddha's Words Allows Even Readers Unacquainted With Buddhism To Grasp The Significance Of The Buddha's Contributions To Our World Heritage. Taken As A Whole, These Texts Bear Eloquent Testimony To The Breadth And Intelligence Of The Buddha's Teachings, And Point The Way To An Ancient Yet Ever Vital Path. Students And Seekers Alike Will Find This Systematic Presentation Indispensable.--jacket. The Human Condition -- The Bringer Of Light -- Approaching The Dhamma -- The Happiness Visible In This Present Life -- The Way To A Fortunate Rebirth -- Deepening One's Perspective On The World -- The Path To Liberation -- Mastering The Mind -- Shining The Light Of Wisdom -- The Planes Of Realization. Edited And Introduced By Bhikkhu Bodhi. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 471-473) And Indexes. The works of the Buddha can feel vast, and it is sometimes difficult for even longtime students to know where to look, especially since the Buddha never explicitly defined the framework behind his teachings. Designed to provide just such a framework, In the Buddha's Words is an anthology of the Buddha's works that has been specifically compiled by a celebrated scholar and translator. For easy reference, the book is arrayed in ten thematic sections ranging from "The Human Condition" to "Mastering the Mind" to "The Planes of Realization." Each section comes with introductions, notes, and essays to help beginners and experts alike draw greater meaning from the Buddha's words. The book also features a general introduction by the author that fully lays out how and why he has arranged the Buddha's teachings in this volume. This thoughtful compilation is a valuable resource for both teachers and those who want to read the Buddha on their own. Ajahn Sumedho suggests that if life seems stressful, then it's time to look at it with a new attitude. The talks collected in The Sound of Silence explore ways to do just that. These insightful teachings cover familiar Buddhist themes such as awareness, consciousness, identity, relief from suffering, and mindfulness of the body, and help everyone from beginning and advanced meditators to the casual reader slow down, become grounded in the present, and experience a more meaningful life. All reflect two modes of Sumedho's expositions -? Dharma teachings for monastics as well as for t What would life be like if each one of us chose compassion over anger, loving-kindness over hatred, awareness over ignorance? The Mind and the Way demonstrates a radically simple approach to life, one in which we are able to awaken to our true loving nature and delight in the mystery and wonder of the world. With warmth and a wonderful sense of humor, Ajahn Sumedho draws on the experiences of ordinary life to convey ancient Buddhist insights that for 2500 years have continued to remain vital and pertinent to our lives