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Food for the Heart: The Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah
Renowned for the beauty and simplicity of his teachings, Ajahn Chah was Thailand's best-known meditation teacher. His charisma and wisdom influenced many American and European seekers, and helped shape the American Vipassana community. This collection brings together for the first time Ajahn Chah's most powerful teachings, including those on meditation, liberation from suffering, calming the mind, enlightenment and the 'living dhamma'. Most of these talks have previously only been available in limited, private editions and the publication of Food for the Heart therefore represents a momentous occasion: the hugely increased accessibility of his words and wisdom. Western teachers such as Ram Dass and Jack Kornfield have extolled Chah's teachings for years and now readers can experience them directly in this book.
427 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
286 people are currently reading
2390 people want to read
About the author
Ajahn Chah
61 books215 followersAjahn Chah was born in 1918 in a village located in the north-eastern part of Thailand. He became a novice at a young age and recieved higher ordination at the age of twenty. He followed the austere Forest Tradition for years, living in forests and begging for almsfood as he wandered about on mendicant pilgrimage.
He practised meditation under a number of masters, among whom was Ajahn Mun, a highly respected and accomplished meditation teacher of the time. Ajahn Mun had an indelible influence on Ajahn Chah, giving his meditation practice the direction and clarity that it lacked. Ajahn Chah later became an accomplished meditation teacher in his own right, sharing his realization of the Dhamma with those who sought it. The essence of his teaching was rather simple: be mindful, don't hang on to anything, let go and surrender to the way things are.
Ajahn Chah passed away in peace after a long bout of illness on January 16, 1992, at his home monastery, Wat Pah Pong, in Ubon Ratchatani.
He practised meditation under a number of masters, among whom was Ajahn Mun, a highly respected and accomplished meditation teacher of the time. Ajahn Mun had an indelible influence on Ajahn Chah, giving his meditation practice the direction and clarity that it lacked. Ajahn Chah later became an accomplished meditation teacher in his own right, sharing his realization of the Dhamma with those who sought it. The essence of his teaching was rather simple: be mindful, don't hang on to anything, let go and surrender to the way things are.
Ajahn Chah passed away in peace after a long bout of illness on January 16, 1992, at his home monastery, Wat Pah Pong, in Ubon Ratchatani.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
September 12, 2021
I can't really agree with most of this stuff, yet I can respect this way of thought without adhering to it:
Q:
Actually, in our practice, when you do walking meditation, you should really resolve to walk; when sitting in meditation, you should concentrate on doing just that. Whether you are standing, walking, sitting, or lying down, you should strive to be composed. But when people do a lot of study, their minds are full of words; they get high on the books and forget themselves. This is so only for those who don’t have wisdom, who are unrestrained, and whose sati is unsteady. Their minds become more and more distracted. Aimless chatter and socializing become the order of the day. It’s not because of the study in itself, but because they don’t make the effort, they forget themselves. (c)
Q:
At Wat Pah Pong we have a body which seems neither male nor female. It’s a skeleton, the one hanging in the main hall. Looking at it, you don’t get the feeling that it’s a man or a woman. People ask each other whether it’s a man or a woman, and all they can do is look blankly at each other. It’s only a skeleton; all the skin and flesh are gone.
People are ignorant of these things. Some go to Wat Pah Pong, into the main hall, see the skeleton, and then come running right out again! They can’t bear to look. They’re afraid of skeletons. I figure these people have never seen themselves before. They ought to reflect on the great value of a skeleton. To get to the monastery they had to ride in a car or walk. If they didn’t have bones, how would they get around? Would they be able to walk? But they ride their cars to Wat Pah Pong, walk into the main hall, see the skeleton, and run straight out again! They’ve never seen such a thing before. They’re born with one and yet they’ve never seen it. It’s very fortunate that they have a chance to see it now. Even older people see the skeleton and get scared. What’s all the fuss about? This shows that they’re not at all in touch with themselves; they don’t really know themselves. Maybe they go home and can’t sleep for three or four days…and yet they’re sleeping with a skeleton! They get dressed with it, eat food with it, do everything with it, and yet they’re scared of it.(c)
Q:
Actually, in our practice, when you do walking meditation, you should really resolve to walk; when sitting in meditation, you should concentrate on doing just that. Whether you are standing, walking, sitting, or lying down, you should strive to be composed. But when people do a lot of study, their minds are full of words; they get high on the books and forget themselves. This is so only for those who don’t have wisdom, who are unrestrained, and whose sati is unsteady. Their minds become more and more distracted. Aimless chatter and socializing become the order of the day. It’s not because of the study in itself, but because they don’t make the effort, they forget themselves. (c)
Q:
At Wat Pah Pong we have a body which seems neither male nor female. It’s a skeleton, the one hanging in the main hall. Looking at it, you don’t get the feeling that it’s a man or a woman. People ask each other whether it’s a man or a woman, and all they can do is look blankly at each other. It’s only a skeleton; all the skin and flesh are gone.
People are ignorant of these things. Some go to Wat Pah Pong, into the main hall, see the skeleton, and then come running right out again! They can’t bear to look. They’re afraid of skeletons. I figure these people have never seen themselves before. They ought to reflect on the great value of a skeleton. To get to the monastery they had to ride in a car or walk. If they didn’t have bones, how would they get around? Would they be able to walk? But they ride their cars to Wat Pah Pong, walk into the main hall, see the skeleton, and run straight out again! They’ve never seen such a thing before. They’re born with one and yet they’ve never seen it. It’s very fortunate that they have a chance to see it now. Even older people see the skeleton and get scared. What’s all the fuss about? This shows that they’re not at all in touch with themselves; they don’t really know themselves. Maybe they go home and can’t sleep for three or four days…and yet they’re sleeping with a skeleton! They get dressed with it, eat food with it, do everything with it, and yet they’re scared of it.(c)
October 18, 2016
This is an amazing book. Having immersed myself in books on Buddhism, meditation, and mindfulness over the years, I sometimes wonder why I bother to read any more, but each one offers different perspectives and sometimes — for the very best of them, at least — I feel that reading them yields a few nuggets of wisdom... even if that wisdom comes in the form of instructions to stop reading so much and practice more (a common theme of Ajahn Chah's teachings). This book, Food for the Heart, is a gold mine. It is full of relevant, practical advice and simple, straight-forward discussions about love, loss, fear, death, peace, and happiness — you know, real life.
While it started off on a hollow note, focusing on talks about the vinaya, the Theravada monastic code of conduct -- an arguably outdated and not-so-relevant topic to most modern readers -- it quickly turned into one of the most insightful series of talks I have ever encountered on both meditation and Buddhism.
Ajahn Chah was surely a gifted teacher, and he really cuts right to the core of things, choosing to discard much of the "fluffy" talk that so often gets in the way nowadays. Many works on these topics are filled with overly-sentimental, superstition-laden platitudes. After all, people want happiness, they want peace, but they want it on their own terms, and most of all, they want to shore up their self-esteem rather than take a hard look at themselves. Ajahn Chah knows this well and he has much to say about it.
If you're interested in understanding human suffering -- why we suffer and what we can do about it -- then you are going to get something from this book. It doesn't matter if you're coming at this from the perspective of a an atheist meditator, a committed Buddhist, a spiritual seeker, or a positive psychologist working in research, you will benefit from this collection.
That said, if you aren't already familiar with a few basic topics in Buddhism, you might find yourself a little lost as he often refers back to the suttas of the Pali Canon (early Buddhist scriptures), but don't let this discourage you — just ignore the Pali terminology and focus on the meat of what is being discussed. Everything you need to know is right here.
While it started off on a hollow note, focusing on talks about the vinaya, the Theravada monastic code of conduct -- an arguably outdated and not-so-relevant topic to most modern readers -- it quickly turned into one of the most insightful series of talks I have ever encountered on both meditation and Buddhism.
Ajahn Chah was surely a gifted teacher, and he really cuts right to the core of things, choosing to discard much of the "fluffy" talk that so often gets in the way nowadays. Many works on these topics are filled with overly-sentimental, superstition-laden platitudes. After all, people want happiness, they want peace, but they want it on their own terms, and most of all, they want to shore up their self-esteem rather than take a hard look at themselves. Ajahn Chah knows this well and he has much to say about it.
If you're interested in understanding human suffering -- why we suffer and what we can do about it -- then you are going to get something from this book. It doesn't matter if you're coming at this from the perspective of a an atheist meditator, a committed Buddhist, a spiritual seeker, or a positive psychologist working in research, you will benefit from this collection.
That said, if you aren't already familiar with a few basic topics in Buddhism, you might find yourself a little lost as he often refers back to the suttas of the Pali Canon (early Buddhist scriptures), but don't let this discourage you — just ignore the Pali terminology and focus on the meat of what is being discussed. Everything you need to know is right here.
February 10, 2012
Some of the most sublime and useful Buddhist literature I have ever read, from one of the most respected meditation masters of his age. Ajahn (the Thai term for "teacher") Chah was a monk in the Forest Tradition, who's vivid and powerfully simple style of teaching made him a favorite among Western students including Jack Kornfield. The clarity is so appealing! I have enjoyed reading it in small bits before daily meditation, and really letting it soak in like rain to the field.
June 2, 2013
This is a wonderful collection of Dharma talks by one of the most prominent teachers of the 20th Century. Archan Chaa is a monk who entered the sangha at a very early age, with little formal education, his deep understanding of Buddha's teachings has come from practice and not the intellect. This collection is a great companion for anyone on this path. He explains and expounds with clarity and compassion in a very down to earth way. Easily understood by anyone he manages to illuminate the basic teachings of Buddhism in such that they can be eased into everyday life. This book reminded me of the purpose and efficacy of a shoe horn in fitting a just right pair of tailor made shoes.
I found this book very satisfying and it will become a reread that I can refer to often. In my own practice I often feel overwhelmed and daunted by the task. This book offers both guidance and reassurance, reducing what seems so complex into a simplicity easily accepted and absorbed though as we all lnow not so easily put into practice. This book is a life changer, while some basic knowledge of the Buddha's teachings is helpful and some background in practice useful in providing gnarled nuts that can be addressed and dissolved by the words of this wonderful man, there is universal wisdom here that applies to everyone.
I found this book very satisfying and it will become a reread that I can refer to often. In my own practice I often feel overwhelmed and daunted by the task. This book offers both guidance and reassurance, reducing what seems so complex into a simplicity easily accepted and absorbed though as we all lnow not so easily put into practice. This book is a life changer, while some basic knowledge of the Buddha's teachings is helpful and some background in practice useful in providing gnarled nuts that can be addressed and dissolved by the words of this wonderful man, there is universal wisdom here that applies to everyone.
November 2, 2012
Ajahn Chah was a rigorous and highly influential Dhamma teacher in the forests of northern Thailand, where he attracted and grew a considerable number of Western monks. Subsequently the Thai and Western monks have dispersed and developed a remarkable number of monasteries around the world.
My humble understanding is that he restored a focus on clear-eyed living, supported by practice, especially highly effective meditation.
They say that he was compassionate, skillful and humorous. He also comes across as ferocious.
I've absorbed a lot of Ajahn Chah lore through the diligent efforts of our local Abbot, Ajahn Brahm, (http://www.ajahnbrahm.org/) so was ready for this book, which has taken on the role of my current resident mentor.
Along with neat little works (on my smart phone) by Pema Chodron and Ayya Khema, he has pretty much got me cornered.
PS: I am going around, again, and again. Probably Ajahn Chah would beat me and tell me to toss it ... :-)
My humble understanding is that he restored a focus on clear-eyed living, supported by practice, especially highly effective meditation.
They say that he was compassionate, skillful and humorous. He also comes across as ferocious.
I've absorbed a lot of Ajahn Chah lore through the diligent efforts of our local Abbot, Ajahn Brahm, (http://www.ajahnbrahm.org/) so was ready for this book, which has taken on the role of my current resident mentor.
Along with neat little works (on my smart phone) by Pema Chodron and Ayya Khema, he has pretty much got me cornered.
PS: I am going around, again, and again. Probably Ajahn Chah would beat me and tell me to toss it ... :-)
September 30, 2020
2020.09.22–2020.09.29
Contents
Ajahn Chah (2002) (15:21) Food for the Heart - The Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah
Foreword by Jack Kornfield
Introduction by Amaro Bhikkhu
• The Forest Tradition
• Ajahn Chah
• Ajahn Chah’s Teaching of Westerners
• The Essentials: View, Teaching, and Practice
• • The Four Noble Truths
• • The Law of Kamma
• • Everything Is Uncertain
• • Choice of Expression: “Yes” or “No”
• • Emphasis on Right View and Virtue
• Methods of Training
• • Teaching the Laity and Teaching Monastics
• • Counteracting Superstition
• • Humor
• • Last Years
01. About This Mind
02. Fragments of a Teaching
• One Who Wishes to Reach the Buddhadhamma
• Walking the Path of Buddhadhamma
• How to Purify One’s Morality
• The Practice of Concentration
• The Arising of Wisdom
• The Benefits of Practice
Part I: Conduct—Virtue and the World of the Senses
03. Living in the World with Dhamma
04. Making the Heart Good
05. Sense Contact—the Fount of Wisdom
06. Understanding Vinaya
07. Maintaining the Standard
08. Why Are We Here?
09. The Flood of Sensuality
10. The Two Faces of Reality
• The Trap of the Senses
• The Worldly Way and Liberation
• Constant Practice
• The Empty Flag
• The Forest of the Senses
• Coming to the Center
• Escape
Part II: Meditation
11. A Gift of Dhamma
12. Inner Balance
13. The Path in Harmony
• On the Dangers of Samādhi
14. The Training of the Heart
15. Reading the Natural Mind
• The Wisdom of Everyday Experience
• Constant Effort
• Knowing Oneself and Knowing Others
• Theory and Practice
• Insight Meditation (Vipassanā)
• Samatha Meditation
• Untying the Knot
• Disenchantment
• The Four Noble Truths
16. The Key to Liberation
• Theory and Reality
• Sīla, Samādhi, and Paññā
• The Dangers of Attachment
• “Spontaneous Combustion”
• The Power of Samādhi
• Working in Accord with Nature
• Changing Our Vision
• Following the Middle Path
• Dedication to the Practice
• Do It!
• Establishing the Basis of Meditation
• Contemplation
17. Meditation (Samādhi Bhāvāna)
18. Dhamma Fighting
19. Just Do It!
20. Right Practice—Steady Practice
21. Sammā Samādhi—Detachment within Activity
22. In the Dead of Night
Part III: Wisdom
23. What Is Contemplation?
24. Dhamma Nature
25. Living with the Cobra
26. The Middle Way Within
27. The Peace Beyond
28. Convention and Liberation
29. No Abiding
30. Right View—the Place of Coolness
31. Our Real Home
32. The Four Noble Truths
33. “Tuccho Poṭhila”—Venerable Empty Scripture
34. “Not Sure!”—The Standard of the Noble Ones
35. Still, Flowing Water
36. Transcendence
37. Toward the Unconditioned
38. Epilogue
Glossary
Notes
Sources of the Text
Contents
Ajahn Chah (2002) (15:21) Food for the Heart - The Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah
Foreword by Jack Kornfield
Introduction by Amaro Bhikkhu
• The Forest Tradition
• Ajahn Chah
• Ajahn Chah’s Teaching of Westerners
• The Essentials: View, Teaching, and Practice
• • The Four Noble Truths
• • The Law of Kamma
• • Everything Is Uncertain
• • Choice of Expression: “Yes” or “No”
• • Emphasis on Right View and Virtue
• Methods of Training
• • Teaching the Laity and Teaching Monastics
• • Counteracting Superstition
• • Humor
• • Last Years
01. About This Mind
02. Fragments of a Teaching
• One Who Wishes to Reach the Buddhadhamma
• Walking the Path of Buddhadhamma
• How to Purify One’s Morality
• The Practice of Concentration
• The Arising of Wisdom
• The Benefits of Practice
Part I: Conduct—Virtue and the World of the Senses
03. Living in the World with Dhamma
04. Making the Heart Good
05. Sense Contact—the Fount of Wisdom
06. Understanding Vinaya
07. Maintaining the Standard
08. Why Are We Here?
09. The Flood of Sensuality
10. The Two Faces of Reality
• The Trap of the Senses
• The Worldly Way and Liberation
• Constant Practice
• The Empty Flag
• The Forest of the Senses
• Coming to the Center
• Escape
Part II: Meditation
11. A Gift of Dhamma
12. Inner Balance
13. The Path in Harmony
• On the Dangers of Samādhi
14. The Training of the Heart
15. Reading the Natural Mind
• The Wisdom of Everyday Experience
• Constant Effort
• Knowing Oneself and Knowing Others
• Theory and Practice
• Insight Meditation (Vipassanā)
• Samatha Meditation
• Untying the Knot
• Disenchantment
• The Four Noble Truths
16. The Key to Liberation
• Theory and Reality
• Sīla, Samādhi, and Paññā
• The Dangers of Attachment
• “Spontaneous Combustion”
• The Power of Samādhi
• Working in Accord with Nature
• Changing Our Vision
• Following the Middle Path
• Dedication to the Practice
• Do It!
• Establishing the Basis of Meditation
• Contemplation
17. Meditation (Samādhi Bhāvāna)
18. Dhamma Fighting
19. Just Do It!
20. Right Practice—Steady Practice
21. Sammā Samādhi—Detachment within Activity
22. In the Dead of Night
Part III: Wisdom
23. What Is Contemplation?
24. Dhamma Nature
25. Living with the Cobra
26. The Middle Way Within
27. The Peace Beyond
28. Convention and Liberation
29. No Abiding
30. Right View—the Place of Coolness
31. Our Real Home
32. The Four Noble Truths
33. “Tuccho Poṭhila”—Venerable Empty Scripture
34. “Not Sure!”—The Standard of the Noble Ones
35. Still, Flowing Water
36. Transcendence
37. Toward the Unconditioned
38. Epilogue
Glossary
Notes
Sources of the Text
November 27, 2016
I love this book because it's not a book that was written by an author, but
a capturing of spoken wisdom via dharma talks. We are privileged to hear the inside
scoop of the workings of the dharma without it being watered down in any way.
What I find helpful is that Ajahn Chah doesn't distinguish between
monks or laypeople. Practice is practice, and yes it's difficult, but
not impossible for anyone. This is a book I will be returning to for inspiration
and wisdom in my practice.
a capturing of spoken wisdom via dharma talks. We are privileged to hear the inside
scoop of the workings of the dharma without it being watered down in any way.
What I find helpful is that Ajahn Chah doesn't distinguish between
monks or laypeople. Practice is practice, and yes it's difficult, but
not impossible for anyone. This is a book I will be returning to for inspiration
and wisdom in my practice.
December 30, 2013
This book is amazing. It is like ajahn chah talking in front of you. his understanding on dharma is superb, even some deeper concepts can be explained in a very easy and simple manners. I have benefited a lot from this book. Thanks ajahn Chah.
July 26, 2018
Mrs. Empy Pages ir izlasījusi kārtējo grāmatu. Jā, jā - to es par sevi. Nenosodu. Konstatēju faktu. Un aizdomājos, vai tik' ar mani nav līdzīgi kā ar to mūku, kurš turēja vistas, bet nekad nesavāca olas, vien vistu sūdus. Tā var gadīties, ja visu laiku tikai lasa, bet aizmirst izlasīto likt dzīvē. Redzēs, redzēs, kā mana prakse ritēs. Rit.
October 7, 2021
Material muito bom, mas não recomendo pra quem ainda está iniciando com estudos e prática no Budismo.
December 10, 2020
A collection of straightforward no-nonsense dhamma seminars by the venerable Ajahn Chah.
Ajahn Chah is very orthodox, traditional to a point, teacher of the Dhamma. Whose teaching style differs from many of his contemporary satipatthana meditation masters. Chah is very blunt, this can come off as arrogance and it takes time to see beyond that. When you finally grasp the dhamma taught in this style. The dhamma will ring true in you.
Ajahn Chah is very orthodox, traditional to a point, teacher of the Dhamma. Whose teaching style differs from many of his contemporary satipatthana meditation masters. Chah is very blunt, this can come off as arrogance and it takes time to see beyond that. When you finally grasp the dhamma taught in this style. The dhamma will ring true in you.
April 17, 2021
Profound - simple - benifical - applicable to everyday life - a guide - a definite read - no words can describe!
An all inclusive book that is a much benificial and time saving way to begin. It really is a tremendous and one-only book to read for establishing a hard ground to build on everyday practice and training.
Definitely would rate more than 5 stars!
An all inclusive book that is a much benificial and time saving way to begin. It really is a tremendous and one-only book to read for establishing a hard ground to build on everyday practice and training.
Definitely would rate more than 5 stars!
July 20, 2018
I rated a three, and possibly that is not about the quality of the book, but what is connecting with me presently. I read Chah's Being Dharma some 10 years ago, in a silent retreat alone, and it resonated much. I rated it a 5. It left a vivid impression. I found Ajahn Chah to be the most impressive Buddhist teacher I had read. I simply did not find the same connection with this work, possibly, again, having nothing to do with the book and certainly not with Ajahn Chah. Still, if I had to recommend between the two works, I would Being Dharma, if one is seeking one read to become acquainted with the Teacher and his dhamma sharing.
June 19, 2019
I have not yet finished this book but this is such an awesome read. If you look at the core of life, there is no state in life. There is no happiness, suffering, good or a bad day. The state of accepting impermanence and uncertainty in your mind with equality is what this book wants to teach. You will find Pali used while referring to sutras. If you are inquisitive, Google it or just go with flow.
This is one of the best books I have read over a long time. Recommend highly.
This is one of the best books I have read over a long time. Recommend highly.
February 24, 2021
Ajahn Chah's no-nonsense approach to Buddhist teachings and candid responses to life's teachings were helpful to me. Basically, you approach each situation with a "so what" attitude and let each thought come and go. Life is about impermanence. We all have moments of happiness and sadness. Ajahn Chah teaches you to not make a big deal out of either one as emotions are fleeting. Learn to be ok with whatever life throws at you.
June 24, 2021
As this is a collection of dhamma talks, given throughout Ajahn Chah's career, you probably shouldn't read this book cover to cover since some of the themes begin to seem quite repetitive. Pace yourself, maybe read a chapter a week. That is what I will do when I read this again. And I will: there is a lot of wisdom in these pages, and the audio narrator is great too!
July 20, 2014
An okay read. Not the most practical book. More interesting as a biography than for its Buddhist wisdom.
May 1, 2020
Rất hay.
Sách là tập hợp những bài giảng của thiền sư thời tại thế. Nói chung là rất trực chỉ, ngôn từ dễ hiểu, rất hay và đáng đọc.
Sách là tập hợp những bài giảng của thiền sư thời tại thế. Nói chung là rất trực chỉ, ngôn từ dễ hiểu, rất hay và đáng đọc.
June 29, 2021
Favorite Book of All Time
As of June 2021, this my favorite book of all time. It changed my life, and gave me my practice
As of June 2021, this my favorite book of all time. It changed my life, and gave me my practice
December 14, 2023
I enjoyed going through this book/audiobook. The audiobook was read out by Malcolm Smith and done in a relevant fashion. Some of the things I liked about this compilation were the variety of teachings, approaches, and ways in which Ajahn Chah expressed his approach. He made use of stories and colourful anecdotes that really highlighted the points that he was making about practice and how to approach the teachings of the Thai Forest tradition (Theravada) in general. Ajahn Chah's approach relies less on the suttas and commentaries, and more on practical advice and guidance that has been handed down in the Thai Forest tradition. Most of these talks were meant for monastics, novice monks and those who were serious about the practice of early Buddhism and seclusion. As such, they do require some background knowledge in the basic framework of the eightfold path, the Four Noble Truths, and the overall aims of early Buddhism. That said, beginners, can indeed gain much advice and insight into how to approach the path from a high level, and even some low level details related to sitting practice, walking practice and the importance of conduct (sila). AC uses the 3 groups of sila, samadhi and panna as his overall framework, rather than focusing on each of the eight steps in the Eightfold Path.
This compilation could be listened to multiple times, and one would gain something new out of it after each listening, since we approach the practice and teachings each time at a different stage in our development, and there might be some small piece of advice that could prove to be really useful at the time. I also appreciate that this compilation is one of the very few authorised compilations of Ajahn Chah's talks and teachings, and it serves a special place in preserving the approach taken in the Thai Forest monastic tradition of Buddhism.
This compilation could be listened to multiple times, and one would gain something new out of it after each listening, since we approach the practice and teachings each time at a different stage in our development, and there might be some small piece of advice that could prove to be really useful at the time. I also appreciate that this compilation is one of the very few authorised compilations of Ajahn Chah's talks and teachings, and it serves a special place in preserving the approach taken in the Thai Forest monastic tradition of Buddhism.
February 21, 2019
Here's the deal with Ajahn Chah: in each of these lectures he's either speaking to laymen or to monks. When he's speaking to people like you and me he's all fun and games; a bit too harsh, surely, but still relatable and wise. I'd highlight almost entire chapters.
Now when uncle Chah is speaking to monks - good God almighty. I'll just say he tells them to throw their food away when they're not sure if it's past midday or not; or to practice sitting by a charnel ground alone at night meditating on your own rotting carcass - among other fun exercises.
So the chapters were almost hit or miss depending on how severe he was being. There were times when I was sure I'd rate this book 2 or 3 stars, but then whole chapters of distilled wisdom would soak me to the brim with insights and I'd feel very grateful for his sharing.
Now when uncle Chah is speaking to monks - good God almighty. I'll just say he tells them to throw their food away when they're not sure if it's past midday or not; or to practice sitting by a charnel ground alone at night meditating on your own rotting carcass - among other fun exercises.
So the chapters were almost hit or miss depending on how severe he was being. There were times when I was sure I'd rate this book 2 or 3 stars, but then whole chapters of distilled wisdom would soak me to the brim with insights and I'd feel very grateful for his sharing.
February 21, 2019
Good: This is an awesome read. An absolute treasure trove of Buddhist wisdom.
Bad: Depending on your interest level in Buddhism, some of the chapters could end up feeling a little repetitive.
Ugly: Nothing ugly here. This is one of those rare books that I might go out and purchase AFTER having read a copy from the library. It's worth owning.
Bad: Depending on your interest level in Buddhism, some of the chapters could end up feeling a little repetitive.
Ugly: Nothing ugly here. This is one of those rare books that I might go out and purchase AFTER having read a copy from the library. It's worth owning.
April 14, 2022
The teachings of Ajahn Chah will transform your life. Reading this book I was wondering how wonderful it would have been to be in his presence while he was alive. So many modern teachers were directly impacted by him. This book has done a great job in condensing his teachings for us on the path. I am inspired to read more of his books.
June 22, 2022
I thought the author really drove home his beliefs and at one point he just flatly says it's time to stop reading endlessly these Buddhist books and just start the practice. I think if you at least have some surface knowledge in Buddhism this book is worth reading and very resourceful I really felt like this monk "gets it".
August 1, 2023
A free audiobook at Audible.com
I found this to be exceptional in its clear explanations of some tricky Buddhist concepts.
Worth re-reading slowly as some gems of wisdom are here but you need time to contemplate them.
Also has humor which I appreciated amongst such "birth is death" type of heaviness.
I found this to be exceptional in its clear explanations of some tricky Buddhist concepts.
Worth re-reading slowly as some gems of wisdom are here but you need time to contemplate them.
Also has humor which I appreciated amongst such "birth is death" type of heaviness.
February 5, 2024
Một quyển sách cô đọng tất cả lời dạy của thiền sư Ajahn Chah.
“Nếu bạn thật sự hiểu, thì bất kể hoàn cảnh hiện tại của bạn là như thế nào, bạn đều có thể tu hành trong từng giây phút.”
Đó là lời dạy của thiền sư Ajahn Chah cho những người bắt đầu bước chân vào con đường tu hành để tìm về sự giải thoát, sự bình an trong tâm tưởng.
“Nếu bạn thật sự hiểu, thì bất kể hoàn cảnh hiện tại của bạn là như thế nào, bạn đều có thể tu hành trong từng giây phút.”
Đó là lời dạy của thiền sư Ajahn Chah cho những người bắt đầu bước chân vào con đường tu hành để tìm về sự giải thoát, sự bình an trong tâm tưởng.
November 11, 2022
Sometimes funny, sometimes harsh but always inspiring. I listened to this in an audio book format and it was a real encouragement to practice. What a wonderful gift to have these talks from a deeply wise Thai forest monk.
August 17, 2023
Rough, straight forward and sometimes surprisingly black and white. It has a bit of an angry german vibe to it. It uses quite advanced language yet often explains it calmly and simply. Repetitions are common. As a whole it is insightful and could be recommended to any aspiring buddhist.
August 20, 2023
Food for the Heart by Ajahn Chah helped me to understand the Buddhist perspective on suffering. Because this is such a practical book, it was much more compelling to me than many of the more philosophical books on the same subject, and it really opened the door to Eastern religions for me.
September 28, 2023
An interesting read. Somethings I could not agree with like the bits where he seems to judgy and chastising. But he has solid bits of wisdom within this book at the end remember things are learned through experience and practice. But most importantly follow your own path.
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