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Listening to the Heart: A Contemplative Journey to Engaged Buddhism
A husband and wife share stories of struggle and triumph along the path of the Buddha, distilling his most essential teachings in this guide that is “luminous in clarity and depth” (Tara Brach, author of Radical Acceptance )
Husband and wife Kittisaro and Thanissara take turns co-authoring chapters in this deeply personal dharma book exploring the inner practice of meditation in support of awakening. Within the context of the lives of the authors, both monastics in their youth, awakening unfolds as a multifaceted process following the archetypal journey of the hero(ine). Traveling from innocence to disillusionment through the fields of trials and despair that lead to maturity, and ultimately to inspiration and a blessed life, Listening to the Heart tells the story of two unconventional individuals who have together embraced spirituality as the keystone of their lives.
At the heart of the book, through teachings on the nondual nature of reality, we enter the “intimacy with all things” as revealed in core Buddhist texts. Without ending at the goal of personal freedom, Thanissara and Kittisaro encourage us to go beyond the experience of inner peace to embodying wisdom in acts of service within the world. With a realistic appraisal of our current global crisis in which sustainability is threatened by catastrophic climate change, the authors encourage a preparedness that enables a mindful balance of equanimity and passionate engagement whatever the outcome of our global evolutionary journey.
The guiding refuge for this journey is the Buddha, the historical teacher and—most profoundly—that immediate and direct pure awareness, which we all can access. The book also draws on teachings and stories of Buddhist masters who are fearless, funny, and challenging. Eventually, we are led into the Mary-like presence of the goddess of mercy, Kuan Yin who, as a great archetype within Buddhist cosmology, reveals the deepest mystery of our own hearts and our capacity for merciful and compassionate response. As the inner process of awakening unfolds, it transforms seekers and their lives, as modeled by the authors. It both heals the personal self in its journey through its wounds and shadows, and yet at the same time dissolves identification with the self. The book then ends by returning to the simplicity of the authors' primary teacher, Ajahn Chah, with his encouragement to “Be the Dharma.”
Husband and wife Kittisaro and Thanissara take turns co-authoring chapters in this deeply personal dharma book exploring the inner practice of meditation in support of awakening. Within the context of the lives of the authors, both monastics in their youth, awakening unfolds as a multifaceted process following the archetypal journey of the hero(ine). Traveling from innocence to disillusionment through the fields of trials and despair that lead to maturity, and ultimately to inspiration and a blessed life, Listening to the Heart tells the story of two unconventional individuals who have together embraced spirituality as the keystone of their lives.
At the heart of the book, through teachings on the nondual nature of reality, we enter the “intimacy with all things” as revealed in core Buddhist texts. Without ending at the goal of personal freedom, Thanissara and Kittisaro encourage us to go beyond the experience of inner peace to embodying wisdom in acts of service within the world. With a realistic appraisal of our current global crisis in which sustainability is threatened by catastrophic climate change, the authors encourage a preparedness that enables a mindful balance of equanimity and passionate engagement whatever the outcome of our global evolutionary journey.
The guiding refuge for this journey is the Buddha, the historical teacher and—most profoundly—that immediate and direct pure awareness, which we all can access. The book also draws on teachings and stories of Buddhist masters who are fearless, funny, and challenging. Eventually, we are led into the Mary-like presence of the goddess of mercy, Kuan Yin who, as a great archetype within Buddhist cosmology, reveals the deepest mystery of our own hearts and our capacity for merciful and compassionate response. As the inner process of awakening unfolds, it transforms seekers and their lives, as modeled by the authors. It both heals the personal self in its journey through its wounds and shadows, and yet at the same time dissolves identification with the self. The book then ends by returning to the simplicity of the authors' primary teacher, Ajahn Chah, with his encouragement to “Be the Dharma.”
296 pages, Paperback
First published November 4, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 28, 2023
if you like this review, i now have website: www.michaelkamakana.com
220914: more autobiographies of married buddhists who were monk and nun, now run retreat in south africa, teach everywhere... than actual buddhist philosophy, but it is interesting to see it in religious practice...
220914: more autobiographies of married buddhists who were monk and nun, now run retreat in south africa, teach everywhere... than actual buddhist philosophy, but it is interesting to see it in religious practice...
April 4, 2018
This is one of, if not the best, book on Buddhism I’ve read. I appreciated having the dual perspectives of Thanissara and Kittisaro, and how they brought in their personal experiences. I found it a perfect balance of philosophy and psychology that felt substantial and yet accessible. It has genuinely influenced how I see the world and has informed my intentions of how I want to be. I am currently re-reading it!
July 17, 2019
This book has been so helpful in clarifying Buddhist concepts in a gentle and practical way. As a "baby Buddhist" who doesn't know much about the theory and philosophy and teachings, I'm very glad I came across it. I borrowed from a local retreat centre's library and had to race through it to finish in time. Looking forward to buying my own copy and working through it more slowly.
December 1, 2017
If you are curious about Buddhism (and faiths, religions, spirituality in general), also if you want to learn about meditation and other concepts of. Buddhism, this is an amazing read and very practical even though it follows through the life of the two authors.
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January 13, 2015Maria Torres rec.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews