Good? Bad? Who knows?

by Ajahn Brahm

Ajahn Brahm once again inspires us with his stories that either awe us or crack us up, his wit and perfected story-telling style make all the wisdom pills he dispenses easy to swallow!

In any moment when we are feeling down or confused, we will be able to find a story that will uplift our mood and reveal the shortcomings we need to work on. After all, it is when we take some responsibility for our predicament, then we are empowered to make the necessary changes to improve our lives.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Self Help

170 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2014

About the author

Ajahn Brahmavamso Mahathera (lovingly known to most as Ajahn Brahm) was born Peter Betts in London, United Kingdom in August 7, 1951. He came from a working-class background, and won a scholarship to study Theoretical Physics at Cambridge University in the late 1960s. After graduating from Cambridge he taught in high school for one year before travelling to Thailand to become a monk and train with the Venerable Ajahn Chah Bodhinyana Mahathera.

Whilst still in his years as a junior monk, he was asked to undertake the compilation of an English-language guide to the Buddhist monastic code - the Vinaya - which later became the basis for monastic discipline in many Theravadan monasteries in Western countries.

Reviews

[Dilushani Jayalath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel stupid rating this book. One thing is such books should not be rated. These books are one of those enlightening books and this is pretty much the only books of these genre I read. Ajahn Brahm Thero is one of the best Theros out there for me and also Ajahn Brahm Thero's books are without doubt a fun read. Even to those who hates reading religious books these books are good. This book teaches us those simple things in life and ultimately how to enjoy life to the maximum. It helps us get through those simple things in life that we find as a burden and also gives us inner peace. you can also have a laugh or two while reading this. My books is highlighted and with post-its and everything on it. I keep rereading this whenever I feel down or sad cuz Ajahn Brahm Thero has a a way of bringing back from the slumps. I would recommend the to anyone despite their religion (I myself am a Catholic but my mother is a Buddhist) Every time I go to the Buddhist Cultural Centre I look for new books read Ajahn Brahm Thero. Unfortunately I only own two books written by this great Thero and would be more than happy if anyone can tell me where to buy more books.

[Leila Rumeila · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Kamu sungguh beruntung diperkosa.." (di dalam bagian di mana AB dipercaya menjadi "penyembuh" untuk korban pemerkosaan).
Dia menyampaikan melalui peristiwa tsb korban dapat menjadi semacam apa ya istilah di sini (gue lupa). Pokoknya jadi bisa sharing dan bermanfaat bagi orang lain.

Still, bagi gue kalimatnya sangat engga tepat.
It totally turned my good feeling about this book down!

*Listened the audiobook by Storytel*

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I have read all year (despite there being a few spelling mistakes).

[Ririn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baca buku versi terjemahan Bahasa Indonesia, judulnya "Don't Worry, Be Hopey"

Seperti buku2 Ajahn Brahm lainnya, buku ini banyak menginspirasi. Saat membaca buku ini, kita jadi sadar akan banyak hal, hal-hal baik yang terlewatkan karena kita terlalu sibuk dengan rutinitas atau ambisi. Ajahn Brahm membantu kita untuk mengenali kebaikan, kebajikan dan menjadi bijak.

Walaupun isi buku ini memang seputar pengalamannya sebagai seorang bhiksu, dan oleh karenanya banyak menyebut mengenai ajaran budha, tapi hal tersebut tidak mengurangi kebaikan yang dikandung dalam buku ini.

Satu hal yang saya suka adalah gaya bercerita Ajahn Brahm yang cenderung jenaka. Beberapa cerita mengenai problematika kehidupan sehari2 dijelaskan dengan sangat sederhana dan sangat logis. Misalnya bagaimana cara menegur seseorang tanpa menyakiti hatinya: gunakan Metode Sandwich. Teguran, diibaratkan sebagai Isi Sandwich, diletakkan diantara 2 Pujian (diibaratkan sebagai Roti Sandwich). Menurut saya ini sangat praktis dalam kehidupan sehari2.

Dan masih banyak kebaikan lainnya yg bisa didapatkan dengan membaca buku ini :)

[Khinezin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite book .. His story telling styles make all the wisdom pills easy to follow.

[Oh Teik · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book worth reading to learn important LIFE Lessons.
The real life stories and teaching parables are interesting.

[Indika de Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book by Ajahn Brahm packed with wisdom, humor, advice and stories.

It is a very quick read. However it is full of Zen like content to ponder for a long time.

[Paraeinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are 'Zen-like' stories to show how what we usually perceive as unfortunate circumstances in life can sometimes be blessings in disguise. The stories cover a wide range of scenarios yet they all circulate around this one simple principle on how mistaken we can be to divide events in this life as good or bad. Ajahn Brahm encourages the reader to look beyond this mistaken duality of bad and good, given that we cannot always predict the consequences of incidents. These stories are good tools to help us detach from being frustrated during the miseries as well as the feeling of being overjoyed during the fortunate times in life. This book helps to lay down the important groundwork for the development of equanimity within our minds.

[Harshini Nawarathna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book includes classic Ajahn Brahm tales. You can laugh to some of them. You may have heard them several times before. But you will never get tired of hearing them again. Ajahn Brahm makes people laugh by narrating stories, but you will realize the hidden meaning once you started thinking about them. This book will help you to go through a rough day and laugh at your own self. No matter how life goes, be kind to yourself. Mindfulness is not enough, be "kindful" as Ajahn said.

[Cplus · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's amazing and easy to read short stories that just make any day a better day. It's one of my first read in this Genre. It's not just for Buddhist, for anyone looking for a different perspective or happier thoughts.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, short stories presented in simple language, but with profound messages often coming from Buddhist teachings. Leaves you with a very positive outlook. A literary testimony that humour is the medicine for both body and spirit.

[Enlik Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saya mengenal Ajahn Brahm lewat buku "Si Cacing dan Kotoran Kesayangannya".
Membaca buku ini mengingatkan pengalaman yang serupa sebelumnya, ringan untuk dicerna kepala namun penuh makna dan mencerahkan

[Chanaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usualy, great words.

[Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ajahn Brahm as usual using simple story to make us understand problems in our life and how we should react to it. Let Go... Relax to the maxxxxxxx......

[ket · Rating 4 out of 5]

definisi buku self help yang aku butuhkan. semua ceritanya bikin hati adem

[ma belle evangeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is filled with short stories, told in a simple yet humorous narrative that leaves you with a happier perspective on life.

[Andre Widiartanto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Isinya cukup sesuai dengan deskripsi back cover-nya, kecuali dalam satu hal. Apa itu?
Dalam hal isi, buku ini memang berisi cerita-cerita pengalaman sang biksu yang sarat akan hikmah dan pesan, satu hal yang menurut saya missing: kok humoris? Entah karena sense of humor yang berbeda atau apa, namun cerita di dalamnya kebanyakan hanya membuat nyengir alih-alih tertawa terbahak-bahak?

Overall, buku ini buku yang ringan dan cocok untuk dibaca di kala senggang. Saya sendiri mendapatkan buku ini dari undian Kick Andy, again! Jadi, nggak rugi sama sekali.

[Hasini | bibliosini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my 2nd book by Ajahn Brahm and I loved it! The style of the whole anthology is so well-crafted to make the reader understand concepts of Buddhism without making it sound like a lesson per se. The 108 stories were such a pleasure to read and had me laughing, gasping and chuckling throughout.

[Nikita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite of hearing most of these stories in AB's dhamma talks, this book was indeed a light, fun read.

[Garvin Goei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful. Contains daily insightful stories like "Opening The Door of Heart".