Food for the Heart

The Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah

By: Ajahn Chah

Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm

Length: 15 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Renowned for the beauty and simplicity of his teachings, Ajahn Chah was Thailand's best-known meditation teacher. His charisma and wisdom influenced many American and European seekers, and helped shape the American Vipassana community.

This collection brings together for the first time Ajahn Chah's most powerful teachings, including those on meditation, liberation from suffering, calming the mind, enlightenment and the "living dhamma". Most of these talks have previously only been available in limited, private editions and the publication of Food for the Heart, therefore, represents a momentous occasion: the hugely increased accessibility of his words and wisdom.

Western teachers such as Ram Dass and Jack Kornfield have extolled Chah's teachings for years, and now listeners can experience them directly in this book.

©2002 Abhayagiri Monastic Foundation (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Practical and profound

Easy to listen and comprehend somewhat.
Just need some genuine following to some guide to get the juicy fruit.

Most wonderful, simple, and direct

A truly enlightened teacher. Everybody can benefit from Revered Ajahn Chah’s teaching.
May there be more like him.

Wonderful book for the mind

This book has definitely changed my life. I have to practise according though to taste freedom. I set the speed to 0.65 because I find the tempo a little to fast.

this is a book you must read

I would not call it a primer book but it is a book that helps clarify on the personal level many teachings regarding the practice. do not hesitate. get this book

I am grateful to have happened upon this audiobook

one of the most consistently impactful collections of talks on the matter. such insight and ability to teach to aid others in getting to the heart of the subject, making it personal.

Establishing the Foundations of Mindfulness

Yesterday, I closed the evening practicing a hour of refined mindfulness (mediation) training after listening to the teaching of this famous Thai monk, Phra Bodhiñāṇathera (Ajahn Chah) in "Food for the Heart". As a side note, more than one million people, including the Thai royal family, attended Ajahn Chah's funeral in January 1993. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to reach higher states of establishing the foundations of mindfulness (sati) thanks to the teachings of Ajahn Chah, and am forever thankful to learn from Thailand's best-known meditation teacher. I am blessed to have so many true friends, good health, a wonderful family and, in general, a very wonderful, prosperous, rewarding, healthy life. This collection of talks by Ajahn Chah, "Food for the Heart" is perfectly presented by Graeme Malcolm. I am sure would Ajahn Chah would be very pleased with this audiobook. This book is a masterwork for advanced meditation practitioners and at the same time is also accessible for beginners. Because this book is "included" as an Audible member benefit (free for members), this book should not be missed by anyone interested in mindfulness or meditation in general. Highly recommended.

A Classic

I found this text many years ago and keep in on my shelf with other classics of spiritual practice, but its depth and density of content limited my ability to sustain a study of its contents. Now, when I sit back and listen to it, the thoughts seem to penetrate more effectively.

Got my attention

The narration was spot on for this.

I purchased then forgot it was in library for quite a while. I started it one morning but listened whilst doing chores. It became apparent to me that I should give it my full attention. Been through it three times since.

As a “practicing” zen person, which is neither here nor there, I got a lot out of it

I will listen to this again and again

It is food for the heart, and I found myself smiling as I listened, both because it made sense and there is gentle humor throughout.

Cuts through the ego

This is one of the most insightful books on Buddhism that I’ve listened to so far. Ajahn Chah doesn’t beat around the bush in delivering the Dhamma. This is a very clear cut delivery of the original Buddha’s teachings. Since it’s Theravadan Buddhism, the monastic life figures heavily in Ajahn Chan’s teaching, but I think laypeople can take so much away from this book. If you highlighted every passage of wisdom in this, every page would be yellow! If you only wanted a few books on the Dhamma in your library don’t neglect this one. Also, the delivery of the content was excellent and smooth. I often listened to it on my work commute.