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## Insight Meditation Center ##
## Dharma Friends Reading Recommendations ##
## 2020-2021 ##
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Amaro Dass Matthiessen O'Reilley Sumedho
Armstrong Hanson McLeod Pasanno Thanissaro
Batchelor Jootla Munindo Payutto Toomey
Chah Kornfield Murcott Ricard Various
Chodron Mackenzie Napthali Sucitto
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1. The Breakthrough
By AJAHN AMARO
Copyright (C) 2017 by Amaravati Publications
ISBN 978-1-78432-070-6 (PDF is 362 pages)
full text (epub, mobi, PDF, Post):
https://forestsangha.org/teachings/books/the-breakthrough?language=English
our review:
Buddhist meditation as a means of liberation. I liked the
excerpt I read.
--Fred W.
2. An Introduction to the Life and Teachings of Ajahn Chah
By AJAHN AMARO
Copyright (C) 2012 by Amaravati Publications
ISBN 978-1-870205-43-6 (PDF is 81 pages)
full text (epub, mobi, PDF):
https://forestsangha.org/teachings/books/an-introduction-to-the-life-and-teachings-of-ajahn-chah?language=English
reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23322360-an-introduction-to-the-life-and-teachings-of-ajahn-chah
our review:
I read the first half of this book before bed one evening, and
the second half at lunch the next day. Ajahn Amaro's overview of
Ajahn Chah's life and teachings is well-written and very engag-
ing. Not to mention more than a little bit uplifting. I recom-
mend it.
It's adapted from the Introduction to _Food for the Heart_,
Wisdom Publications, 2002, and _The Collected Teachings of Ajahn
Chah_, Aruna Publications, 2011, Amaravati Publications, 2011.
--Eric D.
3. Emptiness: A Practical Guide for Meditators
By GUY ARMSTRONG
Copyright (C) 2017 by Guy Armstrong
ISBN 978-1-61429-363-7 (hardcover, 328 pages)
full text:
not found
reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30753521-emptiness
excerpt:
https://wisdomexperience.org/academy/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/09/Emptiness-Course-Lesson-1-Reading.pdf
our review:
This is a very digestible and a practical guide to the
understanding of the teachings on emptiness.
--Marsha G.
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4. Confession of a Buddhist Atheist
By STEPHEN BATCHELOR
Copyright (C) 2010 by Stephen Batchelor
ISBN 978-0-385-52706-4 (hardcover, 306 pages)
full text:
not found
reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6957758-confession-of-a-buddhist-atheist
our review:
A very personal account of one man's journey as a Buddhist that
largely aligns with my own beliefs. Namely, that I'm less on
board with much of Buddhism's metaphysics while agreeing with
most if not all of its morality. A very well-written, very
engaging book.
--Eric D.
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5. Food for the Heart
By AJAHN CHAH
Copyright (C) 2018 by Amaravati Publications
ISBN 978-1-78432-100-0 (PDF is 180 pages)
full text (epub, mobi, PDF, Post):
https://forestsangha.org/teachings/books/food-for-the-heart?language=English
reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195650.Food_for_the_Heart
our review:
One of my good friends who meditates, when I asked him last year
(2020) what his favorite Buddhist book was, answered with no
hesitation: "Food for the Heart". As I've not yet read much
Ajahn Chah yet and have been meaning to, his response caused me
to put this book on my list. While the free 100th anniversary
edition at forestsangha.org is different from the 2002 Wisdom
Publications/Abhayagiri Monastic Foundation version with a
foreword by Jack Kornfield that my friend pointed me to, their
contents overlap. Incidentally, it's my understanding that both
of these editions are subsets of the three volume set The
Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah.
--Eric D.
6. When Things Fall Apart
By PEMA CHODRON
Copyright (C) 1997 by Pema Chodron
ISBN 1-57062-160-8 (hardcover, 147 pages)
full text (web):
https://archive.org/details/whenthingsfallap00pema/
reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/687278.When_Things_Fall_Apart
excerpt:
http://ixian.com/passages/
our review:
You might want to look at the first page of Chapter Seven:
"Hopelessness and Death".
I read this book after we received my husband's diagnosis of
Alzheimer's. It inspired me to find meaning and purpose in
facing my husband's decline and death. Recently (2020-11) a
friend asked how I had managed to get through the challenge of
dealing with dementia. I recommended this book, but re-read it
before I lent it to her. I was amazed at how relevant it was to
my struggle with depression. It may be timely depending on the
election and its aftermath.
--Cecilia B.
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7. Be Here Now
By RAM DASS
Copyright (C) 1971 by Ram Dass
ISBN 978-0-517-54305-4 (paperback, 416 pages)
full text (PDF):
While the book is apparently no longer available at archive.org,
section two of the book, "From Bindu to Ojas: The Core Book",
is presently (2021-04) available at:
https://wikischool.org/_media/be_here_now.pdf .
reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41580312-be-here-now
our review:
I finally picked this book up last year (2020), and was glad I
did. It's profound. Ram Dass was not only way ahead of his time,
his teachings are still advanced for /today/. I view this book
as one that any earnest person on any path should work through,
very slowly, at least once in their lives.
--Eric D.
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8. Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and
Happiness
By RICK HANSON and FORREST HANSON
Copyright (C) 2018 by Rick Hanson and Forrest Hanson
ISBN 978-0-451-49884-7 (hardcover, 304 pages)
full text (audiobook):
https://archive.org/details/Rick_Hanson_And_Forrest_Hanson-Resilient-AUDiOBOOK-WEB-2018-PROLOG
reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36025434-resilient
excerpt:
resilient--hanson-and-hanson--2018--excerpt.pdf
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9. Inspiration from Enlightened Nuns
By SUSAN ELBAUM JOOTLA
Copyright (C) 1988 by Buddhist Publication Society
ISBN 955-24-0032-5 (paperback, 46 pages)
full text (epub, PDF, web):
http://www.bps.lk/library-search-select.php?id=wh349
our review:
This book is mostly about early women of the Buddha's time
and draws on the Terigatha and early commentaries. I liked
the excerpt I read.
--Fred W.
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10. The Wise Heart: A Guide to the Universal Teachings of Buddhist
Psychology
By JACK KORNFIELD
Copyright (C) 2008 by Jack Kornfield
ISBN 978-0-553-80347-1 (hardcover, 439 pages)
full text (web):
https://archive.org/details/wiseheartguideto00korn
reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1920089.The_Wise_Heart
our review:
This, along with another book, was the best book on insight or
Buddhism that I read in 2015. It's supremely crisp and clear,
and a beautiful read.
--Eric D.
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11. Cave in the Snow: Tenzin Palmo's Quest for Enlightenment
By VICKI MACKENZIE
Copyright (C) 1998 by Vicki Mackenzie
ISBN 1-58234-004-8 (hardcover, 256 pages)
full text (web):
https://archive.org/details/caveinsnowtenzin00mack
reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1282710.Cave_in_the_Snow
our review:
A well written descriptive narrative by the first Western
Buddhist nun who was ordained in the East.
--Marsha G.
12. Nine-Headed Dragon River
By PETER MATTHIESSEN
Copyright (C) 1985 by Zen Community of New York
ISBN 0-87773-325-2 (hardcover, 288 pages)
full text (web):
https://archive.org/details/nineheadeddragon00pete
https://archive.org/details/nineheadeddragon00matt
https://archive.org/details/nineheadeddragon0000matt
reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122681.Nine_Headed_Dragon_River
our review:
I reread this book this past winter of 2020-2021, and found in
it depths that were too great for me to plumb when I read it
thirty years ago. This time around, many parts of it spoke to
my mind, while other parts transported me.
--Eric D.
13. Reflections on Silver River
By KEN McLEOD
Copyright (C) 2014 by Ken McLeod
ISBN 978-0-98951-530-6 (paperback, 186 pages)
full text:
not found
reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20455465-reflections-on-silver-river
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22051977-reflections-on-silver-river
excerpt:
http://ixian.com/passages/
our review:
I used this in a book club years ago and we loved it. We would
pick a number of verses to read and then discuss. Each was a
mini topic, each held value, some more than others. Sometimes
we stayed on one verse the whole evening, other times we went
through a few. The teachings really ask one to be curious, to
consider what our behaviors and thoughts say, to let it all sink
in. It's a deep look at what it means to be a bodhisattva today.
--Susan B.
14. Alert to the Needs of the Journey
By AJAHN MUNINDO
Copyright (C) 2018 by Aruno Publications
ISBN 978-1-908444-61-5 (PDF is 142 pages)
full text (epub, mobi, PDF, Post):
https://forestsangha.org/teachings/books/alert-to-the-needs-of-the-journey?language=English
our review:
A companion volume to Ajahn Munindo's book Servant of Reality.
--Anne F.
15. In Any Given Moment
By AJAHN MUNINDO
Copyright (C) 2021 by Aruno Publications
ISBN 978-1-908444-69-1 (PDF is 552 pages)
full text (epub, mobi, PDF):
https://forestsangha.org/teachings/books/in-any-given-moment?language=English
our review:
I find Ajahn Munindo to be a wonderful author. I've just found
his prior books and Dhamma talks clear and practical so I was
curious about this latest book.
--Jan S.
16. The First Buddhist Women: Translations and Commentary on the Therigatha
By SUSAN MURCOTT
Copyright (C) 1991 by Susan Murcott
ISBN 0-938077-42-2 (paperback, 219 pages)
full text (web):
https://archive.org/details/firstbuddhistwom00murc
reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1226675.The_First_Buddhist_Women
our review:
A discussion of the Therigatha, the verses of Buddhist nuns
from the time of the Buddha. Includes some of the verses and
background on the nuns too.
I read this long ago, but found it very moving to have a
sense of those on the path thousands of years before me. Another
book has recently been released that caused quite a kerfuffle as
it was sort of a rewrite of Therigatha verses. These translations
are not questioned in that same way.
--Jan S.
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17. Buddhism for Mothers: A Calm Approach to Caring for Yourself and
Your Children
By SARAH NAPTHALI
Copyright (C) 2003 by Sarah Napthali
ISBN 1-74114-010-2 (paperback, 240 pages)
full text (web):
https://archive.org/details/completebuddhism0000napt
reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/85681.Buddhism_for_Mothers
our review:
I found this to be a down-to-earth book on integrating
meditation, etc. into one's life, and a very pleasant read.
--Eric D.
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(Note: As a group, we completed this book in August 2021.)
18. The Barn at the End of the World
By MARY ROSE O'REILLEY
Copyright (C) 2000 by Mary Rose O'Reilley
ISBN 1-57131-237-4 (hardcover, 316 pages)
full text (web):
https://archive.org/details/barnatendofworld0000orei
https://archive.org/details/barnatendofworld0000orei_g9k3
reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/841997.The_Barn_at_the_End_of_the_World
excerpt:
http://ixian.com/passages/
our review:
I loved this book. Mary Rose O'Reilley is totally down to earth,
and writes supremely warmly, whether about her time on the farm
or her time at Plum Village.
--Eric D.
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19. Abundant, Exalted, Immeasurable
By AJAHN PASANNO
Copyright (C) 2016 by Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery
ISBN 978-1-63271-011-6 (PDF is 213 pages)
full text (epub, mobi, PDF, Post):
https://forestsangha.org/teachings/books/abundant-exalted-immeasurable?language=English
our review:
A clear and powerful discussion of the Brahma Viharas. The
chapters are talks from a retreat on that topic. Includes
wonderful instructions on meditation and how the Brahma
Viharas relate to the hindrances, the aggregates, and many
other teachings.
--Jan S.
20. Good, Evil and Beyond: Kamma in the Buddha's Teaching
By BHIKKHU P.A. PAYUTTO
Copyright (C) 1992 by Bhikkhu P.A. Payutto
ISBN 974-575-262-2 (PDF is 134 pages)
full text (PDF):
http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/good_evil_beyond.pdf
our review:
An explanation of the Buddha's teaching on Kamma. I found it
extremely useful and helpful in understanding this complex
teaching.
--Jan S.
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21. The Art of Meditation
By MATTHIEU RICARD
Copyright (C) 2008 by Matthieu Ricard
ISBN 978-1-848-87075-8 (hardcover, 208 pages)
full text:
not found
reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7575251-the-art-of-meditation
22. Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill
By MATTHIEU RICARD
Copyright (C) 2003 by NiL editions, Paris
ISBN 978-0-316-05783-7 (hardcover, 304 pages)
full text (web):
https://archive.org/details/happinessguideto00rica
reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/96885.Happiness
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23. Kamma and the End of Kamma (2nd Edition)
By AJAHN SUCITTO
Copyright (C) 2020 by Amaravati Publications
ISBN 978-1-78432-169-7 (PDF is 204 pages)
full text (epub, mobi, PDF):
https://forestsangha.org/teachings/books/kamma-and-the-end-of-kamma-2nd-edition?language=English
reviews (of the 1st edition):
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16137896-kamma-and-the-end-of-kamma
our review:
A newly released update to a book published about fifteen years
ago, expanded and updated based on his years of teaching.
I find most everything by Ajahn Sucitto useful. I think the
original was based on a retreat he gave, and was put together by
others. I think he wasn't completely happy with it and so wanted
to revise and expand it. I was interested to read what he's
added and amplified after another several decades of practice.
I've not yet read the new version which is why it interested me.
--Jan S.
24. Unseating the Inner Tyrant
By AJAHN SUCITTO
Copyright (C) 2014 by Amaravati Publications
ISBN 978-1-78432-027-0 (PDF is 36 pages)
full text (epub, mobi, PDF, Post):
https://forestsangha.org/teachings/books/unseating-the-inner-tyrant?language=English
our review:
This can be used as a 1-2 week filler. The inner tyrant is a
nagging voice that demands you achieve perfection, never offers
congratulation. It cuts off access to the natural empathy of the
heart. I liked the excerpt I read.
--Fred W.
25. Gratitude
By AJAHN SUMEDHO
Copyright (C) 2020 by Amaravati Publications and Pra Depnyanavidesa
(Ajahn Sumedho)
ISBN 978-1-78432-082-9 (PDF is 49 pages)
full text (PDF):
https://forestsangha.org/teachings/books/gratitude?language=English
our review:
I find Ajahn Sumedho to be a wonderful author. He is now (2021)
in his late 80's and has a lifetime of deep practice and teach-
ing, so I think whatever he has to say will be a distillation of
all those years, and likely very helpful.
--Jan S.
26. The Way It Is
By AJAHN SUMEDHO
Copyright (C) 1991 by Amaravati Publications
ISBN 1-870205-11-1 (PDF is 170 pages)
full text (epub, mobi, PDF):
https://forestsangha.org/teachings/books/the-way-it-is?language=English
our review:
This book contains a collection of teachings of Ajahn Sumedho
given to people who are familiar with Theravada Buddhism and
have some experience of meditation. Most of the chapters are
edited from talks given during retreats for lay people or for
Ajahn Sumedho's monastic disciples. I liked the excerpt I read.
--Fred W.
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27. Gifts He Left Behind: The Dhamma Legacy of Phra Ajaan Dune Atulo
Translated from the Thai by THANISSARO BHIKKU (Geoffrey DeGraff)
Copyright (C) 2005 by Metta Forest Monastery
no ISBN (PDF is 128 pages)
full text (PDF, web):
https://accesstoinsight.org/lib/thai/dune/giftsheleft.html
https://accesstoinsight.org/lib/thai/dune/giftsheleft.pdf
reviews:
https://www.amazon.com/Gifts-He-Left-Behind-Dhamma/dp/B00IOZL688
our review:
Fred recommended this little book of short stories to me, and
I'm glad he did. I agree with the sole Amazon reviewer: The book
consists of short (less than a page long) stories about this
clearly renowned Thai Buddhist monk, each one closing with a
quotation from him that illustrates some key point of dharma.
I was impressed overall with his cool, precise presentation of
the dharma. He did not get embroiled in lengthy difficulties or
florid expressions of things. Luang Pu gently and persistently
exhorted his followers to watch and understand their minds, and
to use this as the basis for growth and realizations.
--Eric D.
28. Selves & Not-self: The Buddhist Teaching on Anatta
By THANISSARO BHIKKHU
Copyright 2011 by Thanissaro Bhikkhu (2021-02 revision)
no ISBN (PDF is 140 pages)
full text (azw3, epub, mobi, PDF):
https://www.dhammatalks.org/ebook_index.html#selvesnotself
reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24647787-selves-not-self
our review:
Many think Thanissaro Bhikkhu is too dry, but I find him so
wonderfully clear. I've read almost everything by him. I also
find his framing of 'selfing' as an activity very useful.
--Jan S.
29. In Search of Buddha's Daughters: A Modern Journey Down Ancient Roads
By CHRISTINE TOOMEY
Copyright (C) 2015 by Christine Toomey
ISBN 978-1-61519-326-4 (hardcover, 384 pages)
First published in Great Britain as The Saffron Road: A Journey with
Buddha's Daughters
full text:
not found
reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25894449-in-search-of-buddha-s-daughters
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25724568-the-saffron-road
dust jacket:
http://ixian.com/passages/
our review:
A riveting read. Toomey is a journalist and she knows how to
write. She visited over thirty women around the world (Nepal,
India, Burma, Japan, the US, the UK, and France) who came to
the ordained life from every faith and career, and had deep
conversations with them. I loved this book. Did I mention that
Toomey knows how to write?
--Eric D.
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30. Recollections of Ajahn Chah
By VARIOUS AUTHORS
Copyright (C) 2013 by Amaravati Publications
ISBN 978-1-870205-65-8 (PDF is 176 pages)
full text (epub, mobi, PDF):
https://www.amaravati.org/dhamma-books/recollections-of-ajahn-chah/
our review:
I like the look of this book. I strongly prefer philosophical/
insight/Buddhist texts that show rather than tell, and this one
looks to fall squarely into that former camp. Hearing what an
advanced individual did do in his life when interacting with
others really works for me. Plus, I like stories, accounts;
they're less dry.
--Eric D.
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