The Sound of Silence: The Selected Teachings of Ajahn Sumedho

Profoundly clear and simple teachings on the connection between the basic tenets of Buddhism and personal practice. These chapters/lectures really stick with me long after reading them. I have never met or seen Ajahn Sumedho, but there is a presence that comes through the printed words of this book. Not all transcribed teachings have this kind of impact for me at all. When I read these it is as if I experience myself being guided into stillness and insight. It is a great book for reading just a chapter/lecture at a time, and giving it plenty of space and time to sink in and work its magic. I found myself reading some chapters a few times before moving on to the next; and I find some of his pithy observations and phrases turning over and over in my mind long after I put the book down. Great for dipping into for a little while in the morning before I sit down to meditate. Although my own path has been primarily through the Tibetan Kagyu tradition, these teachings are so fundamental and clear that I think they would be complementary for anyone with an interest in practicing Buddhist meditation. You just have to get on the cushion! But this book might help you get there.

This collection of talks that were given by Ajahn Sumedho provide a unique perspective on the dhamma.He spoke extensively about the human aspect of the path, and how to live the dhamma, rather than being caught up Buddhism as a system to follow, with a goal to reach.He was incredibly open in the talks, about his own experiences, difficulties, and things that everyone faces on the path.I especially enjoyed his extensive coverage of how our language and cultural conditioning affects our understanding of the teachings.For example, Westerners who have an aversion to some of the ritual and devotional aspects of Theravada as practiced in Asia..instead of passing judgement, we should investigate why we have an aversion to that, and what is "me", the ego that has this opinion, and that is experiencing aversion, and how does that affect us in other areas of life?Also, what are the meanings of some of the words that are translated from Pali to English, and how do we understand them in English versus the context that they have in Pali and in the culture of those times...we come at them from the lens of our own language and culture, and our interpretations may be skewed versus what the Buddha was trying to teach.I would give this publication 10 stars if I could. It is great that they have transcribed and printed these talks.

This is one of the most informative and clear books on mindfulness and Buddhist teaching that I have ever read. Ajahn Sumedho gives wise and inspired teaching on the suffering that we experience due to our ignorance and clinging and cogently shows how we can find peace and refuge in our awareness of our own minds and bodies.An outstanding work.

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."

All I can offer is that Anjan Sumedho has been my companion and guide on The Path for the past decade. Like any good teacher, he has given me encouragement to "test out" his advice, much as the Buddha did for his followers. For an ex-Catholic, this was obviously liberating. As an American, he made his way through the Thai forest tradition, painfully at times, and found his path. His "talks" avoid the unneeded scholarship as he provide direct and practical guidance to those on their own meditation retreat. He is not trying the "blend" the Wisdom of the East with the West into some New Age synthesis but actually embodies that in his own journey. After reading this book, a page and sometimes a paragraph at a time before my meditation over several years, I moved on to his second book, Don't Take Your Life Personally. In both cases, I found his guidance invaluable in my journey into The Sound of Silence. Not an easy path for an American . . .

A practical guide to gain awareness in any situation so that the Buddah's insights for alliviating suffering can be realized. There will always be pain in life but there's a way to avoid suffering that is always available to all of us without having to get involved in esoteric or religious teachings. Easy to read, can be opened to any page for a quick insight to help you out of further trouble.

Seems like a nice fellow with good intentions. The book contains a few good observations; the key one being the title. Not sure it is a book length observation, and it has been covered by many others as well. But what the heck, most books are really just pamphlets with a lot of rambling to fill up space.

I have been fortunate enough to have met and spent time with Ajahn Sumedho. This collection of some of his teachings is a gem. He offers insight, not through complex Buddhist theology or intricate practice, but using everyday experiences as a way to 'see' the mischief of the ego that seeks distraction and chaos. With a steady, often humorous, style of 'talk' he gently guides us toward an understanding of the silence that we can achieve with application rather than slavery. If you cannot meet him, this book will give you a real human feel for the style and wisdom of his Dhamma talks.

Best book of this kind I have ever read in my life

This dude's books and talks are amazing. You can listen to some of them on Youtube if you'd like a preview. Can't believe I found this gem completely by accident! By far the realest teacher of Buddhism I've ever come across. If you haven't discovered these miracles in print yet, I recommend you so now. Simple and to the point, funny, no dogmatic jargon, just pure simplicity in getting to the point: The quality of your awareness in this moment, not at some point in the future, not after you practice some esoteric yoga stuff, and definitely not after this body expires. Something about Sumedho's sermons is different from all the others, and it changes how I see the world around me and the perceptions inside me, like grounding a live wire with electricity -- something to that effect. When I read Tolle, or Osho or Sandghuru, these so-called modern mystics, I do get their message, and let's face it their message at the core appears fundamentally the same...but what I get from those other dudes is an intellectual understanding with no lasting effects on perception. Sumedho is different! I don't know how he does it, somehow those other writers now seem like con-men peddling the illusion of enlightenment to the masses, it's probably not true in 2/3 writers I just mentioned but it sure seems that way, to me. I am not enlightened so most likely I am delusional...but this view persists and is always with me: Sumedho's sermons are the real thing. Just buy these letters and words enscribed on dead trees and treat them to a little bit of your attention, see for yourself.

HIS TEACHINGS ARE ALWAYS VERY POWERFULHE KNOWS WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT BECAUSE HE'S WISDOM IS COMING BY IMROVING ALL LIFE LONG WHAT HE IS TEACHINGVERY HELPFUL FOR WESTERN PEOPLE

This is a great book that captures teachings that were delivered by Ajahn Sumedho. His teachings are direct and easy to understand. They are presented with character which makes it all the more enjoyable to read.

This is a collection of transcribed dhamma talks given by Ajahn Sumedho, Ajahn Chah's most senior western bhikkhu. Sumedho's style is very precise and simple, direct to the point. He addresses problems and provides guidance that westerners will relate to very easily. His insistance on self-acceptance gives his talks a flavor of his own, as does the overall gentleness of the tone. If you like Theravada and like the simple and to-the-point style of Ajahn Chah you cannot be disapointed with this collection of teachings.