The Art of Disappearing: Buddha's Path to Lasting Joy Paperback – September 27, 2011

I have purchased 3 copies of this book. Two for myself and one for my sister. This book has helped me look past those everyday problems that pop up as well as big issues. Reading it always brings me back to what is really important in life. Through Ajahn Brahm’s honesty and dry wit, he talks to us who don’t mind being hidden from everyone, where being seen is not who we want to be. Egoless. This book is not for anyone who wants to rush ahead in life striving to “make it big” or make a name for themselves.This may sound crazy but this book has answered every question that I ask, in a profound way. I have 2 copies. One with the spine in tact and the other is spineless (loose pages). When I am down or feeling as though I need help with direction in my life, I will sit quietly for a little while thinking about the question. Then I pull out a page or open the book without looking and point to any page blindly. Without fail, the page tells me exactly what I needed to hear. You know when the book speaks to you or to your mind.This is a perfect example from my blind page picking last night. Struggling with the typical human issues in the workplace, I asked how I could “not get so involved or caught up” in the nitty-gritty-petty things that really make no difference at all. I reached in the stack of pages and pulled out page 41. I will include pics of page 41 and 42, for you to read for yourself. As always, I sat there dumbfounded when I read the section.I told my sister about this book about a year ago and she did the same practice of asking for direction. She too could not believe it. If you thinks this review speaks to you in any way, consider reading the book too.

After decades of Buddhist practice, I found Ajahn Chah’s book to be a masterpiece of teaching the truth of the Dharma way. He digs in and points to exactly what needs to be done in practice.

It’s not readily apparent from the title, but the subtitle says a little more to let you know here’s a book that will guide you along a path of basic meditation and wisdom teachings. This is an excellent book for those new to Buddhism, and for those actively practicing Buddhism in need of a reminder of the course they have chosen. The first chapter is appropriately titled “The Big Picture” and discusses in general terms the procedure and practice the rest of the book will expand upon.The chapters that follow give general instructions on meditation and mindfulness practice, including antidotes for common problems the meditator may face. The remainder of the book gives wisdom teachings, and finally Samadhi or concentration, the jhanas, and making this the last time in the rounds of rebirth.This is a delightful read, taking teachings that are often made complicated and esoteric and made manageable.

This book as more of a philosophical aspect than a pratical one. If you want to get an idea of the how, get Mindfulness, Bliss, and Beyong. But in the same time, if you have meditate for a while, The Art of Disappearing will speak to you especially if you have been trying for a while. You'll understand that the point is to let go.To me, I'm still trying to figure out the explosion of light and this vibration in my head I experienced months ago while meditating. I got some answers in Mindfullness, Bliss, and Beyong but not sure yet if it was originated by the pratice I did or more of a 'got lucky' accident kind of thing since I haven't dupplicate the same thing quite yet. I get the light everytime I sit now but not that bliss. Maybe it's because I got scared the first time. Any suggestions?

The first page and a third tell you clearly and directly what this book is about: Understanding your life.As usual with Ajahn Brahm, he brings the seemingly unfathomable into amazing clarity.Do you need to be a Buddhist to benefit from the profound wisdom and practicality found in this book? Absolutely not. Anyone of any religion willing to approach this book as a means of gaining insight into who and what we really are (and who and what we are not) will benefit from it.I gave away more than a dozen copies of Ajahn Brahm's 'Truckload of Dung' -- to the enormous gratitude of those who received it.'The Art of Disappearing' will probably surpass that number -- and the amount of gratitude.Do your non-self an enormous favor. Buy and read this book.

This is a brilliant book by a brilliant man whose teachings are more often than not against the grain. Society and politicians tell you one thing, Ajahn Brahm says the opposite. I've been watching his YouTube videos and reading his books for a while and they bring me a lot of happiness. The Art of Disappearing appears to be all abput meditation but it is in fact a whole philosophy for living. The lessons in his stories in his YouTube videos mirror his lessons on meditation. You can't really separate the two. They are the same message. The only difference is one you do with your eyes closed and one you do with your eyes open.

The experience of wisdom is hard to put into words,Ajahn Brahm puts his wisdoms inspired by deep insights into clearly understandable perspectives.The rest is up to you to apply the right effort towards fruition of noble pursuits.

This book is at once affirming and intimidating because of its' brutal honesty. Ajahn Brahm pulls no punches. He is letting the reader know that the only way to true liberation is through calming of the mind in deep meditation and he encourages the reader to disengage from the 5 sense World and to not return to this body of ours that, he reminds us, is only here to suffer decay and death. Definitely a book worth re-reading many times