Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away: Teachings on Impermanence and the End of Suffering (Paperback)

by Ajahn Chah (Author), Paul Breiter (Translator)
Key Phrases: grasping attachment, Ajahn Chah, Wat Pah Pong, Ajahn Tongrat

Editorial Reviews

Review
"An invaluable collection of this remarkable Thai forest monk's wisdom teachings: simple, direct, clear, and profound. These fundamental insights on impermanence and uncertainty are delivered with a freshness and creativity that makes them of great relevance for all schools of Buddhism."—Larry Rosenberg, founder of the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center and author of Breath by Breath

Product Description
Ajahn Chah (1919–1992) was admired for the way he demystified the Buddhist teachings, presenting them in a remarkably simple and down-to-earth style for people of any background. He was a major influence and spiritual mentor for a generation of American Buddhist teachers, including Jon Kabat-Zinn, Sharon Salzberg, and Jack Kornfield. Previous books by Ajahn Chah have consisted of collections of short teachings on a wide variety of subjects. This new book focuses on the theme of impermanence, offering powerful remedies for overcoming our deep-seated fear of change, including guidance on letting go of attachments, living in the present, and taking up the practice of meditation. Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away also contains stories and anecdotes about this beloved master's life and his interactions with students, from his youth as a struggling monk to his last years when American students were coming to study with him in significant numbers. These stories help to convey Ajahn Chah's unique spirit and teaching style, allowing readers to know him both through his words and the way in which he lived his life.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (March 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590302176
• ISBN-13: 978-1590302170
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #135,674 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Paul Breiter has done it again!, May 29, 2005

By	Sean Hoade (Tuscaloosa, AL United States) - See all my reviews

I agree wholeheartedly with the Hawaii reviewer's statement that Mr. Breiter has once again brought forth the crystalline Dhamma from the late Ajahn Chah. Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away is another brilliant compilation of insights from this great teacher, but Breiter doesn't stop there.

No, in this new book, there are also stories about life with Ajahn Chah from this former monk who knew him as well as any Westerner, living and working with him and also translating for him in Thailand and when Ajahn Chah visited the U.S. These stories are just as enlightening as the Ajahn's direct teachings, but for those of us who like a little story here and there -- which was, after all, how the Buddha himself taught -- these little sprinklings of what it was like to be around this tough, enlightened being are a wonderful balm after the hard work of trying to internalize the Dhamma.

In short, this book is absolutely vital for anyone who loves the Dhamma as taught in the Thai forest tradition, or for anyone who loves to hear stories about enlightened masters of any tradition. Another simply brilliant job of bringing Ajahn Chah's words to the West by Paul Breiter.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Teachings and Wonderful Stories..., April 12, 2006

By	D. Buxman "A Seeker of Truth" (Pueblo, CO United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Sometimes Buddhist teachings can seem inaccessable to Westerners, but this book is an exception. It contains tremendous insights into uncertainty and impermanence and solid teachings on dealing with the unsatisfactory aspects of life. It is not, however, just a book of dry teachings. There are lively stories and snapshots of monastery life that add an extra dimension to the book. I also enjoyed the softly humorous aspects of many of Ajahn Chah's teachings. This book is well-written and hard to put down. While perhaps not appropriate as an introductory text, I give it my unreserved recommendation for people with any background knowledge of Buddhism.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Dhamma books currently available, April 29, 2005

By	R. Gowan (Hawaii , USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away is the perfect title for this work. This is truly a deep and important Dharma book. Paul Breiter has done it again , bringing the reader to the very feet of the great great master meditation teacher Luang Por Chah Subatto.
Ajahn Chah's being and character ring clear from every word , sometimes bringing a smile , sometimes a conviction . This is good Theravada wisdom , the Wisdom of the Buddha 100% , set forth an a very easy to read style. I will have to read this book at least a
half dozen times to absorb all that is richly contained therein .
My hat is off to this author who profoundly honors his late teacher with such an excellent presentation.