Opening the Door of Your Heart

And Other Buddhist Tales of Happiness

By: Ajahn Brahm

Narrated by: Francis Greenslade

Length: 5 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Here are modern tales of happiness, compassion and love that will both enlighten and entertain. During his wanderings and work over the last 30 years as a Buddhist monk, Ajahn Brahm has gathered many poignant, funny and profound stories. While traditional Buddhist philosophy is at the heart of this collection, these thoughtful stories are written like playful parables, which are used to launch into a deeper exploration of subjects such as mindfulness, suffering, forgiveness, hope, wisdom, and unconditional love. Told with wit and good humor, they reveal moments of compassion in the lives of ordinary people and the timeless wisdom of the Buddha's teachings.

©2004 Ajahn Brahm (P)2009 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Peace of mind.

Would you consider the audio edition of Opening the Door of Your Heart to be better than the print version?

This is a good book for getting a better life. It telles a lot of small histories of conflicts and how to get them out of the way. I listen to to the book every evening before I go to sleep. Lots of situations that has made me angry is now gone.
Best regards
Tor.

What did you like best about this story?

Conflict solving.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

Getting a better life.

So uplifting!

If you could sum up Opening the Door of Your Heart in three words, what would they be?

I have read a ton of self-help type books trying to be happier, more at peace, freer, more confident etc. This book clearly stood out to me as something extraordinarily special. And the humor is always meant to teach. It is told in a series of short stories. Each story has deep and profound meaning.

I have the audible audio version. The narrator has an Australian accent, but he is easy to listen to, is spot on with tone, spot on with pace, and has deep emotional content portrayed through his voice. You can listed to an audio sample at audible, which is a great amazon service in my opinion. They let you refund books and their subscription fee is very fair.

A bit about myself. I, like many people have a tendency towards depression, negativity, and an overly critical view of the world. This book is one of the steps I am taking to change myself to be happier, and kinder.

I have studied Buddhism extensively. I find many Buddhist books to be dry and poorly translated, putting me to sleep. This book is so refreshing. It is very light on dogma/tradition and instead is in the form of a series of light-hearted short stories that always carry a deeply profound message. I have also read many self help books on this topic, and other topics. This is just so refreshing compared to the self help format, it is more helpful, more free flowing, and easier to get into, and stay glued to. And since every message is based on a real life event or story, there is no need to wonder how an idea is applied, as it is in the example itself, which makes it instantly more accessible and applicable in your own life!

The content of the book itself is amazing. It is so entertaining. Many stories had me laughing out loud, with happiness, and a new understanding to past pains and thinking how silly I was for ever looking at situations with the negativity I had in the past! And it is so uplifting, SO positive, and so enlightening. This book has the power to bring you to your knees, bring tears of joy, and maybe sadness to your eyes, and change your life forever. It is that powerful of a message. You will leave the book changed, and uplifted, seeing not only others more clearly, with more love, with true forgiveness, and with true freedom, but yourself as well. This is the kind of book you can read over and over and over again and reach a new understanding, and a deeper meaning every time. The beautiful part about an audio book is you CAN listen to it over and over, on your way to work, at home relaxing, while you are cooking, without having to turn a tattered (well loved) page. The book is an absolute joy to listen to, you will want to listen to it at least twice.

I hope that helps, and good luck on your path to inner freedom and happiness!

What did you like best about this story?

The uplifting humor to normally horrible situations, the silver linings, the unique ways of looking at the world that make it a benevolent teacher instead of a horrible master.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Each story is moving. All of them are inspirational and uplifting. I loved how honest the author was about his own failures and how they taught him to be more open and more loving.

Any additional comments?

This book changed my life. I tell the stories in the books to friends and family now. They are beautiful.

Good Book

Loved the book but the narration was monotone and made me sleepy. It would have been better if read by Ajahn Brahm.

Want to memorize this book!

What made the experience of listening to Opening the Door of Your Heart the most enjoyable?

Great stories to share with friends and family. Love telling some to my children. Found myself literally laughing out loud.

Change your perception of what life should be.

If you could sum up Opening the Door of Your Heart in three words, what would they be?

Peace , Love & forgiveness.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Opening the Door of Your Heart?

If you make a mistake and you accept the fact that you have mistaken. It's another step to enlightenment .

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but it sure works on your way to work or on your way home.

Any additional comments?

This made me more focused ,patient ,peaceful and happier.

Opening the Door ... Challenging Misanthropy

Where does Opening the Door of Your Heart rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This wonderful collection of parable-like stories, told through the lens of Buddhism, breaks the mold of somber self-help books. Ajahn Brahm is a witty man with a wonderful knack for making the simpleness of everyday life a profound reflection. The narrator made me feel as though Ajahn Brahm were reading the book, and the tone of his voice and accuracy of emotion made this an audio book I return to again and again. The book is inspirational and it is humorous, and it never dwells in pity or overly empathetic ruts that plague books of its kind.

What did you like best about this story?

One of the things I liked most about the book is that I was surprised to find a spiritually themed book that centers on finding ways to cope with life's challenges through love to be so irreverent and witty. I have read a few books filtered through the mindset of a Buddhist, and I have really liked many of those books, but this book made absolute sense without relying on spiritual metaphors. Very simple stories of cause and effect. The book never felt preachy or absolutist. By comparison a book like "The Four Agreements" seemed somber, overly empathetic, and easily misinterpreted by those seeking to validate their failings and shortcomings with a one track focus on the self. I love "The Four Agreements", but "Opening the Door of Your Heart" was far more practical, and inclusive of those closest to us, as a solution to the issues we all face together in life. "Me" and "I" must always be tempered with "we", "them" and "us", and to that end Ajahn Brahm does a stellar job.

Which scene was your favorite?

It's impossible for me to pick a favorite section of the book as I was able to glean lessons from each and every story presented. This book is as close to perfect for this genre that I have ever encountered.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

While there wasn't time to finish this book in one sitting, had there been time I would certainly have joyfully listened to the very end in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

This is a great book, and totally worth the credit or cost to acquire.

Great listen

If you follow Ajahn Brahm online as I do you will hear / read much of the same information in the book as well. Still 5 star as you can enjoy his talks over and over as I do.
Thank you Ajahn Brahm for changing the lives of everyone I come into contact with as well as my own. All for the better.

Fabulous way to open the heart

Funny, witty, applicable. I honestly feel like this book chilled me out a bit. Over the week or two I listened to it, I began a habit of letting things go and smiling more. I really appreciate this book :).

Listen and change your perspective

This changed my perspective on who, I thought, a buddhist can be. They can be funny, they can swear and call people names, and they can be interesting. The stories changed my perspective on the way I view people and view life. I laughed and teared up in some parts. The narrator was excellent. He wasn't just reading. He put feeling into the moments and you can picture a person in certain stories (their faces and expressions, etc). This is the first time I actually rated an audiobook with 5 stars across the board.

Putting The Dharma Into Practice

This audiobook provides stories, examples of how one can use the Dharma to meet and overcome inevitable difficulties, problems, and failures in life and at death. Mindfulness, metta, compassion, forgiveness, patience, appreciative joy, contentment, equanimity, and other wholesome states are used to this end. The stories are taken from the Jataka, Dharma talks, and Ajahn Brahm's personal experiences. They'll make you laugh and best of all, reflect. Please do enjoy the listen; I did.