Wisdom & Wonders

INSPIRATION AND INSIGHT FROM PERTH

Wisdom & Wonders Book Cover

The Book

In 2013 a group of Ajahn Brahm's international disciples from all four assemblies (Bhikkhus, Bhikkhunis, laymen and laywomen) came together to create a book of inspiration and insights, with quotes by Ajahn Brahm and photos from Bodhinyana Monastery and Jhana Grove Meditation Retreat Centre, Western Australia.

The resulting book was a tribute to Ajahn Brahm on the occasion of his 40th anniversary as a Buddhist monk. It is produced with love and deepest gratitude. This website and accompanying material has grown from that first project.

The book is available in a variety of formats:

In English as a print copy from the BSWA Bookshop,

To browse as a flipbook online at issuu.

As a pdf download in the following languages:

The Slideshow

A selection of slides made from the pages of the book (more slides will be added over the coming months).

pg12

THIS

GOOD

ENOUGH

pg13

We’re all damaged goods like crooked trees,

THAT’S WHY WE’RE BEAUTIFUL.

pg14

You can never fix up the past, because

THE PAST IS GONE FOREVER.

pg15

Tragedy, difficulty, and pain keep coming back because

THEY’RE THERE FOR US TO LEARN FROM.

pg16

FEAR CREATES NEGATIVITY.

pg17

Once the tears are dry and the heart is healed,

YOU’LL BE A WISER, MORE COMPASSIONATE, AND MORE WONDERFUL FRIEND.

pg18

What’s the purpose of having a garden where everything is just beautiful

IF YOUR HEART IS ANGRY AND VIOLENT?

pg19

THOUGHT IS ONLY AN APPROXIMATION OF REALITY

We gaze at the past through a distorted lens

pg20

THE FUEL FOR DISCONTENT

is thinking that happiness lies somewhere else

pg21

EVERY TIME YOU'RE THINKING, YOU'RE NOT SEEING

you're missing out on reality

pg22

JEALOUSY is seeing only one side of the person we want to be like.

pg23

'I want peace' is an oxymoron

'I want peace' is an oxymoron.

PEACE HAPPENS WHEN WANTING ENDS

PEACE HAPPENS WHEN WANTING ENDS.

pg24

LIFE

is like climbing a mountain of treacle with the heavy weights of past and future on your back.

LIFE

is like climbing a mountain of treacle with the heavy weights of past and future on your back.

pg25

DON’T BE SO JUDGEMENTAL ABOUT THE WEEDS IN YOURSELF

pg26-27

Simplicity doesn't mean we lose out

WITH SIMPLICITY, WE GAIN SO MUCH

pg28

PAIN IS LIKE THE WINTER BEFORE

SPRING

pg29

All fear is about losing something you own

All fear is about losing something you own,

SOMETHING YOU'RE ATTACHED TO

SOMETHING YOU'RE ATTACHED TO.

pg30

THE BEST RELATIONSHIP

is the relationship with peace.

pg31

TRUE LOVE

IS SELFLESS LOVE

TRUE LOVE

IS SELFLESS LOVE

pg32

The most important etiquette is

COMPASSION.

The most important etiquette is

COMPASSION

pg33

Life isn’t about you or me.

LIFE IS ABOUT US.

Life isn’t about you or me.

LIFE IS ABOUT US.

pg34

CHERISH THE

UNCERTAINTY

IN LIFE.

pg35

WANTING

BENDS

PERCEPTION.

pg36

Don’t try so hard to
succeed and be perfect.

Don’t try so hard to succeed and be perfect.

YOU DON’T NEED TO BE
PERFECT TO BE LOVED.

YOU DON’T NEED TO BE PERFECT TO BE LOVED.

pg37

Memories are the
dead bodies of the past.

Memories are the dead bodies of the past.

DON’T KEEP CARRYING
AROUND THE COFFINS.

DON’T KEEP CARRYING AROUND THE COFFINS.

pg38-39

Rather than philosophising about life,

EXPERIENCE IT WITH YOUR HEART.

pg40

A fantasy is a lie.

DON’T LIVE YOUR LIFE AS A LIE.

The most important etiquette is

COMPASSION

pg41

LIFE IS AN UNFOLDING OF THE

UNEXPECTED.

LIFE IS AN UNFOLDING OF THE

UNEXPECTED.

pg42

Never allow anyone or anything

TO CONTROL YOUR HAPPINESS.

pg43

NOW

IS WHERE THE FUTURE IS MADE.

The Video

This is the promotional video that accompanied the release of the book.