Peace is a Simple Step

by Ajahn Sumedho

Peace is a Simple Step brings together material that forms a foundation to Ajahn Sumedho’s teachings, from talks that were given in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It is a collection made up of three books – Cittaviveka, Teachings from the Forest and The Four Noble Truths.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality

289 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Ajahn Sumedho was born Robert Jackamn in Seattle, Washington in 1934. He was raised as Anglican and from 1951 to 1953 studied Chinese and history at the University of Washington. He served as a medic for the US Navy until returning to the University to ccomplete a BA in Far Eastern Studies in 1959. In 1966 he went to Thailand and was ordained as a novice Buddhist; in 1967 he received a full ordination.

Reviews

[Sergio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part 1 of 5 of a comprehensive anthology of Ajahn Sumedho's teachings. An essential reading for anyone (religious or lay) interested in learning about practical applications of Buddhism to improve the way we live our lives by means of practicing meditation and training the mind. To be kept at hand to be revisited often.

This book is offered as a gift of Dhamma and it is available to download free of charge from the website listed below or you can pick up the paperback edition for free at the Amaravati monastery. For full books and audio listings see www.forestsangha.org or www.amaravati.org or www.forestsanghapublications.org. Dhamma publications have been made available through the faith, effort and generosity of people who wish to share the understanding it contains with whomever is interested. This act of freely offering is itself part of what makes this a ‘Dhamma publication, ’a book based on spiritual values.


Contents: Religious Convention and Sīla Practice 2 Skilful Means: Letting Go 3 Skilful Means: Listening to the Mind 4 The Five Hindrances 5 The Monastery as a Teacher: Laypeople and the Vihara 6 The Monastery as a Teacher: Anagārika Training 7 The Monastery as a Teacher: The Samaṇa and Society 8 Patience 9 The Practice of Mettā 10 Kamma and Rebirth 11 Realizing the Mind 12 Attachment to Teachers Teachings from the Forest 13 A conversation between Ajahn Sumedho and Ajahn Khantipālo 14 The Three Characteristics 15 The Ordinary Miracle 16 Taming the Wild Horse 17 Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha 18 Ānāpānasati (Mindfulness of Breathing) 19 Happiness, Unhappiness and Nibbāna 20 Nothing is More Joyless than Selfishness 21 Life is Quite Sad isn’t It 22 We Can’t Attain It –We Realize It 23 Innocence is Corruptible; Wisdom is Incorruptible 24 Everything Around us is Dhamma The Four Noble Truths A Handful of Leaves 25 The Four Noble Truths: An Overview Practical Application 26 The First Noble Truth Suffering and Self-View Denial of Suffering Morality and Compassion To Investigate Suffering Pleasure and Displeasure Insight in Situations 27 The Second Noble Truth Three Kinds of Desire Grasping is Suffering Letting Go Accomplishment 28 The Third Noble Truth The Truth of Impermanence Mortality and Cessation Allowing Things to Arise Realization 28 The Fourth Noble Truth Understanding In Meditation Intelligent Discrimination Right Aspiration Right Speech, Right Action and Right Livelihood Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration Aspects of Meditation Rationality and Emotion Things as They Are Harmony The Eightfold Path as a Reflective Teaching

[Luke Horvath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read dozens of dhamma books in my life and for whatever reason Ajahn Sumedho's teachings on the four noble truths have made the most profound impact on my practice of any book I've read. The way that he repeats, in different eloquent ways in each chapter, that a simple awareness practice leads to freedom, has helped me develop more confidence in my practice. I particularly appreciated his message in this book that metta can be understood, in certain situations, as friendly acceptance as opposed to an intense, embracing love. It actually breaks my heart more than a little to feel that the compulsions I dislike about myself could be quietly and patiently accepted. Making friendly peace with my broken bits feels approachable and just-over-the-horizon. It seems like something that could actually, no kidding occur in this lifetime as opposed to generating wide, deeply penetrating love, which often seems distant for this mind.

I'd say a common thread through Sumedho's books is emphasizing that simple awareness and acceptance is something anyone can do, and it leads to honest to God nibbana. You can go all the way with a simple practice based on noticing and letting things be (especially aspects of ourselves we don't like). I've now read three books in Sumedho's anthology, and I'll definitely read the remaining two in short order. I can't say that these books will be as transformative for others as they've been for me, but every time I pick them up my confidence grows that more freedom and love is available through this path, and I'm extremely appeciative of that.

[Oskar Garibaldi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ajahn Sumedho simplifies teachings of Buddhism for a Western audience. If the other books of the anthology are like this one, then this series is good fodder for those addicted to reading but trying to maintain a mindful lifestyle.

[Ruby Grad · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of Ajahn Sumedho's early talks. Includes his short book, The Four Noble Truths, which is excellent.

[Liz D'Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A set of teachings invaluable to the human race.

Thank you Ajahn for your contribution to the end of our suffering.