Recommended Readings
Peter Doobinin
The Skill of Living explicates the Buddha’s path for developing the skillful qualities of generosity, ethical conduct, renunciation, truthfulness, effort, determination, discernment, lovingkindness, patience, and equanimity. These qualities are considered “skillful” because, when cultivated, they lead us to greater happiness. We build these qualities, Peter Doobinin emphasizes, by practicing skills. The Buddha taught skills. He didn’t say “practice generosity” and leave it at that. In The Skill of Living Peter shows us how to cultivate skills. Teaching the dharma, the Buddha’s path, in New York City for many years, Peter has learned how to help people cultivate these skills while living as householders, with jobs, families, and myriad responsibilities, amidst the speed and complexity of the modern world.
The Skill of Living exemplifies Peter’s clear, thorough, wholehearted, down-to-earth approach to dharma practice. The joy he finds in teaching the dharma shines through on every page. Whether you’re a long-term student or somebody who simply wants to have a better life, The Skill of Living offers a way to develop profound, life-changing skills. It is an invitation to explore a precious teaching, to know a greater happiness in your life.
Thanissaro Bhikkhu
Getting Started:
With Each and Every Breath
Meditations (Books 1-8)
Refuge
Noble Strategy
Continuing:
On the Path
The Five Faculties
The Karma of Mindfulness
Right Mindfulness
The Karma of Questions
Purity of Heart
Head & Heart Together
Wings to Awakening
Handful of Leaves (Books 1-5)
Skill in Questions
The Paradox of Becoming
The Shape of Suffering
Dhammapada
Mind Like Fire Unbound
Selves & Not Self
Online versions of these books are found on www.dhammatalks.org.
Ajaan Lee
Keeping the Breath in Mind
Inner Strength
Food for Thought
The Autobiography of Ajaan Lee
The Skill of Release
Frames of Reference
Online versions of these books are found on www.dhammatalks.org
Ajaan Suwat
A Fistful of Sand
Online version of this book is found on www.dhammatalks.org
Ajaan Maha Boowa
Straight from the Heart
Things as They Are
Online versions of these books are found found on www.dhammatalks.org.
Ajaan Buddhadasa
Mindfulness with Breathing
Joseph Goldstein
The Experience of Insight
Seeking the Heart of Wisdom
Sharon Salzberg
Lovingkindness
Faith
Jack Kornfield
A Path with Heart
Seeking the Heart of Wisdom
Living Dharma
Larry Rosenberg
Breath By Breath
Jon Kabat-Zinn
Wherever You Go, There You Are
Full Catastrophe Living
Many readings, suttas, and other information can be found at Access to Insight.