book group

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BOOK STUDY

This book group offers an opportunity to explore non-dual teachings and provides support for participants in their own spiritual quests.  Sunday, March 12 we will begin a study of

 

The Sound of Silence: The Selected Teachings of Ajahn Sumedho

 

Ajahn Sumedho  was the first westerner to undergo training in the Thai Forest Tradition.  From 1967-77  he trained under Ajahn Chah at Wat Nong Pah Pong.  He has come to be regarded as the latter's most influential Western disciple.

 

His teachings are very direct, practical, simple, and down to earth. In his talks and sermons he stresses the quality of immediate intuitive awareness and the integration of this kind of awareness into daily life. Like most teachers in the Forest Tradition, Ajahn Sumedho tends to avoid intellectual abstractions of the Buddhist teachings and focuses almost exclusively on their practical applications, that is, developing wisdom and compassion in daily life. His most consistent advice can be paraphrased as to see things the way that they actually are rather than the way that we want or don't want them to be ("Right now, it's like this..."). He is known for his engaging and witty communication style, in which he challenges his listeners to practice and see for themselves. Students have noted that he engages his hearers with an infectious sense of humor, suffused with much loving kindness, often weaving amusing anecdotes from his experiences as a monk into his talks on meditation practice and how to experience life ("Everything belongs").

 

You are welcome to join us Sunday  March 12 at 10:30 a.m.  We will have an introduction to the book as well as food to share.  There are no charges of any kind.

If you are interested please call Evelyn at 6752-2283  or email evelynkendall@gmail.com  for more information and directions.