Food for the Heart MP3 CD – Unabridged, October 25, 2016

A must read for anyone serious about the Buddhist path

This book is a wonderful collection of teachings from Ajahn Chah. The style is very straight forward-no beating around the bush. Some lessons are aimed towards the monks/nuns (as the lesson maybe talks for them) but you are able to learn from them as well. I recommend the book for beginners to advanced alike. The language is easy to understand, without a lot of confusing "Buddhist Terms" there are some but it has a glossary if you need it (which is great if you have to refer back to it in another chapter). This book is easy to break up-meaning you don't need to read it all at once. I actually took about 6 months to read through it-took my good old time :) -I would read some then let the lessons sink in etc.. while I worked on lessons online for the Dhammapada. Then I would come back to it. No problem at all, as each chapter is different-not like a story-but lessons/teachings per chapter. The stories are wide in variety & I think most Buddhist students can take something away from reading this book. I highly recommend it. I also recommend books by Ajahn Brahm.

Perhaps it is not necessary to see another 5 star review on this book, but, I wish to state from another voice the value of this volume. This teacher is extremely clear on what practice is. He separates useless activity and speculative study from effective practice. He shows the logic of practice by demonstrating the identification of the causes of suffering, and how to either let go or otherwise dispense with the suffering. He also encourages us, stating that the causes of suffering are not endless for the person willing to deal with them, and that means one thing -- practice!This is not a slender volume, so take your time getting into it. I had to get adjusted to the tone and some of the terms, which are translated in the back matter. Even though his message is ultimately simple, it might take hold only after some pages of reading. Once it is grasped and used, you have a very powerful tool for serious sadhana.One last point -- Ajahn Chah is very humorous as he shares tales of his less than stellar pupils. As a teacher, I shared his feeling of exasperation regarding students that refuse to apply themselves. He never drifts from the Dharma however, and uses that to goad pupils to get to work independently. I loved his salt of the earth style, and his stories of what he endured during his own practice, including the mistakes he made, are useful, and even fun to read.

As of June 2021, this my favorite book of all time. It changed my life, and gave me my practice

this is an excellent and inspiring read! Totally worth every penny.

I am a follower of the Buddhist philosophy and read many books and attend many classes, retreats, etc. I was first introduced to Ajahn Chah when I ordered some books from Singapore and they sent me as a gift a compilation of Chah's teachings. He is so clear, so kindly blunt, so wise. There are times he makes me laugh as what he says can cut through all the psycho babble and the shields we put up to protect ourselves and gets to the heart of the matter. i'm so glad to have this book in my Buddhist library. Amazon carries an amazing inventory in writings on Buddhism.You can't go wrong with this book. The advice, the lessons, the teachings are wonderful. Now if I can just integrate it all.

Like all these books there will be some ideas that you don't agree with or that contradict other ideas expressed in the same book, but it's one of the strongest books I've read in terms of clarity, practicality and simplicity of explanation. Interestingly (sort of), I was simultaneously reading this and Jack Kornfield's "After the Ecstasy the Laundry". Ajahn Chah was Kornfield's teacher, and Kornfield would occasionally make comments about Chah, like seeing Chah towards the end of his life when he was very sick and a short bit about that encounter. Anyway, "Food For The Heart" is a really good book. I think reading just the free Kindle sample will give you a good sense of whether it's the type of book that would appeal to you.

This is one of two books I own that I love so much I have it in what I call the holy trinity, in book form, Kindle and audible. Great no nonsense style of teaching.

I have been studying The Dharma and meditating for several years and have found this to be one of the most perfect guidebooks I have read. For those who don't know; Ajahn Chah is a famous monk in the Thai Forest Tradition of Therevada Buddhism. He was ordained as a Buddhist at the age of 20 and dedicated his entire life to following the teachings of the Buddha. He taught many well-known monks (such as Ajahn Brahm and Ajahn Sumedho) who have since gone on to set up successful Buddhist Centres across the world.I purchased this book based on a recommendation from a fellow meditator whom I met on a retreat and have used it consistently alongside my practice for the last few months, digesting the teachings slowly and putting them in to practice. I must say that the teachings have really helped me to progress a lot both in learning how to work with the mind and with my understanding of the most important aspects of Dharma. The style of teaching here is remarkably simple yet extremely profound. Ajahn Chah expounds on all the common issues that serious meditators face when on the cushion such as understanding sensations, letting go, observing the mind, attaining mental balance, right attitudes to practice etc. Some familiarity with Buddhist teachings may be beneficial to make full use of the book, however explanations are given throughout of the most important aspects such as Precepts, Noble Truths, The Characteristics, Aggregates etc, all explained thoroughly. In particular I found the descriptions on handling mental defilements to be particularly brilliant as they cleared up a lot of confusion that was obstructing my progression.If you are looking for a beginners manual I would probably look elsewhere first (Breath by Breath by Larry Rosenburg or Mindfulness Bliss & Beyond by Ajahn Brahm are excellent). But if you already have a good grounding in Buddhist teachings and maybe a few years practical experience under your belt then I couldn't recommend this book highly enough.

Not finished reading this yet, but have read more than enough to give it 5 stars. Full of wisdom and plenty humour (at least, I found myself smiling a lot when reading it), this is a very special book by a very special monk. He's got us (humans) sussed! Sure, you can disagree with him, but, deep down, you just know he's right. A book like this can change your life; for the better. I can't recommend it enough!

Throughout the years I have read many books about Oriental thought and philosophy. Actually there are many "so called" enlightened people writing spiritual books about this matter. Some are good and some are just published with the intention of economic profit. Ajahn Chah's book "Food for the heart" is a "must read" for anyone interested in buddhism or the spiritual path. The teachings are spot on, clear and written in a style that he seems to be talking directly at you. Is the kind of book to read over and over again because I,m sure, every time you do, you will find new and enlightened thoughts to help you in your way.The words of a true master available. I really recommend it!!Fernando M.Osorio

Well, if you are seeking enlightenment, not as defined in the west, but true enlightenment to take you to the next (or the last ;) ) level :). here is the manual. Leave the suburbia and take the book with you. Everywhere you go, take this book with you!. Everywhere you go, take this book with you! (you know the song ;) ).

A real insight into the life of a zen monk and his wanderings.