Be an Island: The Buddhist Practice of Inner Peace

by Ayya Khema

From the best-selling author of Being Nobody, Going Nowhere , Ayya Khema's Be an Island guides us along the path of Buddhist meditation with direct and practical advice, giving us contemplative tools to develop a healthy sense of personal being. Be an Island is at once an introduction to the teachings of Buddhism and a rich continuation of Ayya Khema's personal vision of Buddhist practice.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Meditation, Philosophy, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

Reviews

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was more like a 4.5 for me. I enjoyed it enough and found the applications so practical and memorable that I got online and bought 2 other books of hers. She has also included a glossary at the back if you struggle with remembering what the different Buddhist terms mean.

This book deals with how to recognize how our thoughts can be the creation of the problem, how we need to be alert to these thoughts or they run rampant without our managing them and how we can let go and find that peace that we thought came by thinking our way through things. Having read a lot of Buddhist authors, she has found her way into one of my favorites. Clear. Insightful. Applicable.

[Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, probably only book one needs on the nuts and bolts of a spiritual practice. It will get you to square one, point in the right direction, though as some have said (and I agree) she is somewhat rigid in her thinking, probably a product of her discipline and the method of practice she inherited from her teacher. It is a clearly written book and an essential to the practitioner.

[Rachel Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Ayya is my queen

[Dana Larose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've enjoyed all of Ayya Khema's books so far, and at the moment this one might be my favourite. I feel like it's the simplest and most relevant for Buddhist noobs. Each chapter is quite short, so it would be easy to read one before a meditation session or in the morning to set the tone for your day.

Ayya's tone and writing is plain and direct. I get the impression she must have been like a stern, no-nonsense but caring grandmother :)

[Phil Calandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Be an Island" is a collection of essays that capsulate those important teachings in Buddhism. Where among other things, the author emphasizes the importance of remaining in the present moment and becoming independent of one's practice through looking inward for spiritual guidance rather than searching elsewhere. The author has that rare facility of breaking down those important Buddhist precepts in simple and easy terms that one can easily understand. I would highly recommend this book.

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a while to get used to her jargon and her use of Pali rather than Sanskrit.

[Tera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing!!! Love <3 Ayya Khema

[Philosopherdog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this little book. Such succinct teachings by one of the great teachers.