Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away: Teachings on Impermanence and the End of Suffering

Reading Ajahn Chah is one of the best ways to experience Dhamma talks at home. He is simple, direct, and profound. No written speeches. No convoluted exercises in Buddhist rhetoric. Just the facts, ma'am.

Although I actually practice Soto Zen Buddhism, the teachings on this book are invaluable. Ajahn Chah's honest, direct and bold approach in teaching the truth to his students is a great source of inspiration. His teachings will remain timeless and are a good addition to anyone's library.

Sometimes Buddhist teachings can seem inaccessable to Westerners, but this book is an exception. It contains tremendous insights into uncertainty and impermanence and solid teachings on dealing with the unsatisfactory aspects of life. It is not, however, just a book of dry teachings. There are lively stories and snapshots of monastery life that add an extra dimension to the book. I also enjoyed the softly humorous aspects of many of Ajahn Chah's teachings. This book is well-written and hard to put down. While perhaps not appropriate as an introductory text, I give it my unreserved recommendation for people with any background knowledge of Buddhism.

I agree wholeheartedly with the Hawaii reviewer's statement that Mr. Breiter has once again brought forth the crystalline Dhamma from the late Ajahn Chah. Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away is another brilliant compilation of insights from this great teacher, but Breiter doesn't stop there. No, in this new book, there are also stories about life with Ajahn Chah from this former monk who knew him as well as any Westerner, living and working with him and also translating for him in Thailand and when Ajahn Chah visited the U.S. These stories are just as enlightening as the Ajahn's direct teachings, but for those of us who like a little story here and there -- which was, after all, how the Buddha himself taught -- these little sprinklings of what it was like to be around this tough, enlightened being are a wonderful balm after the hard work of trying to internalize the Dhamma. In short, this book is absolutely vital for anyone who loves the Dhamma as taught in the Thai forest tradition, or for anyone who loves to hear stories about enlightened masters of any tradition. Another simply brilliant job of bringing Ajahn Chah's words to the West by Paul Breiter.

Everything Arises, Everything Falls Away is the perfect title for this work. This is truly a deep and important Dharma book. Paul Breiter has done it again , bringing the reader to the very feet of the great great master meditation teacher Luang Por Chah Subatto. Ajahn Chah's being and character ring clear from every word , sometimes bringing a smile , sometimes a conviction . This is good Theravada wisdom , the Wisdom of the Buddha 100% , set forth an a very easy to read style. I will have to read this book at least a half dozen times to absorb all that is richly contained therein . My hat is off to this author who profoundly honors his late teacher with such an excellent presentation.