Book Review

Synopsis Cittaviveka, which in Pāli means “the Mind of Non-Attachment”, is a work by Ajahn Sumedho based on his reflections of teaching Dhamma in the West.  The book is divided into two parts - the first part speaks about living our lives skilfully through letting go, listening to one’s mind and understanding the five hindrances. The second part talks about the functions of the monastery to the people and society. The learning from a monastery guides people to be free from attachments, which is the source of much suffering in the world.

Synopsis Kamma and the End of Kamma is a written discourse on the diversity of kamma, how kamma came to be and how to create kamma to end the existing kamma that we have in our current lives now.  In this book every known kamma in the Buddhist teachings are being investigated, its nature explained and the ways to overcome them are being taught to all readers who wish to learn more, understand more and to create kamma to end kamma.  Included in this book are simple meditation manuals to further assist readers to further benefit from this discourse.

Synopsis The book contains a wonderful collection of short and illuminating essays which serve as reflections on how we see ourselves and the world. Plucking from the supreme wisdom of the Buddha, the author wrote about the relations between the human conditions and the radical psychological insights of the Buddha. Among the topics included are ‘Understanding the Bigger Picture”, ‘Caring for the World’, ‘Constructing Reality’, ‘Understanding the Teachings’, ‘The Emergence of Mindfulness’, etc. By reading the book, one will gain deeper understanding of the Dhamma as experiential tools for exploring the inner world.

Synopsis The book is a compilation of the twenty-four talks given by Ven. Ayya Khema in the spirit of the Mahāparinibbāna Sutta, and is aimed at our own practice, “having the Dhamma as our island and refuge.” The first chapter helps us to understand what it means to “take refuge” in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha. The second chapter explains the sublime qualities of the Dhamma, and goes on to describe that we "need not seek other refuge." The subsequent chapters continue to introduce the teachings of the Buddha, and the sharing of the author’s meditation practice and her compassionate life that lead to inner peace.

 Synopsis This book aims at explaining why meditation is absolutely essential (it is The Only Way) to give modern men the peace and solace he so desperately needs. It details the long term and short term benefits that can be gained, how to prepare for it, the method to be used and how to evaluate success. This book is written in simple language for the benefit of those who are interested in starting this important practice, to remove their doubts and fears regarding its spiritual and therapeutic values.

Introduction Along with reflections on mindfulness, impermanence, and the end of suffering, the author delves into the topics of rebirth, karma, non-virtue, and the roles of reasoned faith, ritual, and monasticism, revealing their continuing relevance for today’s truth seeker. The investigation on the workings of the mind and the natural world enable readers to deepen their practice and their lives.