The Sound of Silence: The Selected Teachings of Ajahn Sumedho [Paperback]

Ajahn Sumedho (Author), Ajahn Amaro (Preface, Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 26, 2007

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 the lay Buddhist community —- allowing the reader to move between the two realms with ease. Like Ajahn Chah’s Food for the Heart, this is a Dharma book that defies boundaries, expressing the Dharma’s universality through an important teacher known for his singular, welcoming, and affirming voice.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Wisdom Publications (July 26, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0861715152
• ISBN-13: 978-0861715152
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #813,309 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The clarity of understanding., May 27, 2008

By 

Richard Smith (SE Michigan) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Sound of Silence: The Selected Teachings of Ajahn Sumedho (Paperback)

The bulk of this book comes from "Intuitive Awareness", a free publication book published by Amaravati Publications (Amaravati being the monastery where Ajahn Sumedho lives). This Wisdom publication makes Ajahn Sumedho's teaching in "Intuitive Awareness" available to a wider audience than just those who visit Amaravati or the other monasteries associated with Ajahn Sumedho. The clarity, wisdom, humor and (above all) practicality of Ajahn Sumedho's teaching usually come as a surprise to those not familiar with him. This is not a book of esoteric or metaphysical mumbo-jumbo. It is, instead, the deep insight and wisdom of a Buddhist monk who has dedicated his life to discovering the immediacy of Ultimate Truth and who is sharing with us his knowledge and wisdom as he encourages us along the Path. There are many, many spiritual books offering helpful (and not-so-helpful) guidance. Very, very few offer the practical, non-proselytizing guidance and wisdom found in "The Sound Of Silence."

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for beginners and seasoned meditators, NOT for scholars, February 2, 2009

By 

Mclusky (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sound of Silence: The Selected Teachings of Ajahn Sumedho (Paperback)

This is a worthy compilation of Ajahn Sumedho's teachings. It was originally a free book called "Intuitive Awareness" filled with talks geared towards the monastic community of the early Western Forest Sangha but this book has talks geared towards lay retreatants as well so you can't go wrong with this. Ajahn Sumedho is very unconventional for a Theravada monk in terms of his teaching style and the things he emphasizes but his methods are no joke. He has proven himself over and over to be the real deal and the upaya(skillful means) he brings to Western Buddhists in this book are not to be scoffed at. This is really a great book that can be opened up again and again by beginners and seasoned Buddhist meditators alike. This is not for scholars unless you want to put aside your assumptions, sit down and meditate. There are plenty of scholarly books on Buddhism but nothing Ajahn Sumedho puts out is what you are looking for.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refuge in Awareness, September 20, 2008

By 

J. Daugherty (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Sound of Silence: The Selected Teachings of Ajahn Sumedho (Paperback)

Ajahn Sumedho is practical and down to earth as he offers encouragement to take refuge in awareness of the way things are in the present moment, whether it means being aware of the neutral, of joy, or of confusion or aversion. There is a distinct shift between being lost in an emotion and in being aware of the way it is.

He covers a wide range of material often coming back to the creation of a sense of an unchanging self and to the realization that all things are always happening in the present - whether we are caught up in planning for the future or worrying about the past. As was said in Richard Smith's review, this book includes all the material in the dana book Intuitive Awareness, plus some additional chapters.

In keeping with the Thai forest tradition, Ajahn Sumedho's talks are not planned out in advance, so there is a conversational feel to them, as though you were sitting in on an evening talk at a retreat.

[...]

This is by far my favorite book. He has a way of getting right to the heart of things, and of helping me to see that there is no particular situation or mental state needed for mindfulness - just a willingness to trust in awareness instead of changing conditions.