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Being Nobody, Going Nowhere: Meditations on the Buddhist Path Paperback – June 15, 1987

by Ayya Khema (Author), Zoketsu Norman Fischer (Foreword)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 280 ratings
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In this lucid classic, beloved teacher Ayya Khema introduces the reader to the essence of the Buddhist path. She addresses the how and why of meditation, providing a clear framework for understanding the nature of karma and rebirth and the entirety of the eightfold path. With specific, practical advice Ayya Khema illuminates the practices of compassion and sympathetic joy and offers forthright guidance in working with the hindrances that we all encounter in meditation. Few introductory books are both simple and profound. Being Nobody, Going Nowhere is both.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    192 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Wisdom Publications
  4. Publication date
    June 15, 1987
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.5 x 8.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    086171198X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0861711987
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This jewel of a book is full of sound, practical advice. Not just highly recommended but essential reading." ― The Middle Way

"This book is a valuable guide to the path of meditative insight and loving compassion. It is direct, clear, and inspiring." -- Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness

"Essential reading for hearts inclined to the path." ― DharmaCrafts

"Few introductory books are both simple and profound. Ayya Khema has achieved both." ― North American Board for East-West Dialogue

"Of special help are the Ayya's simple, grounded instructions to aid us in our everyday lives to develop calmness of mind and insight into our human existence...forthright and resolute guidance for the journey." ― Karuna: A Journal of Buddhist Meditation

"I just finished reading Being Nobody, Going Nowhere, and I just wanted to tell you how much it has helped me feel grounded in regards to my search on the spiritual path. Her manner of writing is so clear and meaningful and easy to grasp. These are the kinds of books that I like to underline, ear flap, and carry with me everywhere for continual support and inspiration. This is the first book I read on Buddhism, and in 31 years I finally feel like 'I'm home.' What an incredible feeling to finally have all of my 'inklings' and intuitive moments come together and make complete sense regarding life!" -- From an unsolicited reader email

About the Author

Born in Berlin in 1923 to Jewish parents, Ayya Khema was educated in Scotland and China and later emigrated to the United States. The author of twenty-five books, she was ordained as a nun in Sri Lanka in 1979 and established several Buddhist centers, including Wat Buddha Dhamma in Australia, Parapuddua Nun's Island in Sri Lanka, and Buddha Haus in Germany. In 1987 she coordinated the first-ever International Conference of Buddhist Nuns. She passed away in 1997.

Zoketsu Norman Fischer is a Zen priest and abbot, a husband, father, poet, and a teacher with wide-ranging interests and passions. Norman retired as abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center in 2000. He continues his involvement with the Center as a senior dharma teacher. In 2000 he founded the Everyday Zen Foundation, a network of Zen (and other) groups and partnerships dedicated to sharing the Zen teaching and practice widely in the world (www.everydayzen.org). He works with conflict resolution professionals, Google engineers, lawyers, caretakers for the dying, and many others to bring meditation practice to bear on the lives we are actually living every day. He continues his active practice of writing dharma books, essays, and, especially, poetry. His most recent collection is Conflict. Norman lives overlooking the sea at Muir Beach, California, with his wife, Kathie, who is a science teacher and scuba diver. They have two grown sons and a grandson.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wisdom Publications; 3rd edition (June 15, 1987)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 086171198X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0861711987
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.5 x 8.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 280 ratings

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Ayya Khema

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
280 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Ulf Wolf
5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonder of a Book
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2017
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The subtitle of this wonder of a book is Meditations on the Buddhist Path, an amazingly apt description.

Ayya Khema (Ilse Kussel) was German born Theravada Buddhist nun, who, I’m pretty sure, never gladly suffered fools. Accounts from former students of her corroborate that impression. She is like a stern mother telling you the often-unpalatable truth without sugarcoating; she has your best interest in mind, that is clear.

Her style is clear and always directly to the point, and what she covers in this great book could well serve as a Buddhist Primer.

I have a fairly comprehensive Buddhist library which I read from daily, but the author I return to the most often is Ayya Khema. If ever I feel cloudy, her words cut through the fog and ushers me back to me feet and into action; this without beating you over the head with it, just by clearly and directly making her many well-wrought points.

She is a person who walked the walk and her experience and certainty shines through every sentence. You are richer for having met her, if only through her wonderful books.

You owe it to yourself to read this.
26 people found this helpful
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Marcia Beloved
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully presented! Using everyday language
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2016
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Beautifully presented! Using everyday language, Ayya Khema frames the Buddha's Noble 8-fold Path in a way that is essential for a beginner and deeply meaningful to someone like myself who has been diligently practicing for several years. Ms. Khema takes you to the nuts and bolts of the process and to the Heart of it in a way that increases confidence and inspires. Some of the things she mentions, I had experienced and wondered about. Some of my lingering questions were also answered. I shared this with several friends and all felt similarly. After this simmers for a bit, I would also recommend another title, "Who Is My Self?" Both of these are gems of the Dhamma.
10 people found this helpful
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San Diego
5.0 out of 5 stars 100%❤
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2020
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Everything, I almost highlighted the entire book after completing it I placed this book in the pile of my new books that I haven't read, because I'm going to read it again 😎😎😎
2 people found this helpful
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Anthony Glenn Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a practical and thoughtful reflection on Buddhist Meditation ...
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2017
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This is a practical and thoughtful reflection on Buddhist Meditation. I read a lot of texts on meditation and contemplation. This is one of the most inviting, well written, practical, and clearly laid out offerings on understanding and entering the discipline of Buddhist Meditation. Ayya Khema has offered a lasting gift on this important topic.
4 people found this helpful
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Stylist4u
4.0 out of 5 stars Just started
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2022
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Just started but seems good so far.
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LuvinLife
5.0 out of 5 stars The best book I have ever read
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2014
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I think this is about the best book I have ever read, along with the Power of Now by Echart Tolle. The writer was an American, living the usual American life before she found deep joy on the Buddhist path. I think this book cuts to the chase and gets to the heart of Buddhism. Just amazing!
13 people found this helpful
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John A. Nici
5.0 out of 5 stars ... book I read by the author and still my favorite. It is a record of her discourses during ...
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2018
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This is the first book I read by the author and still my favorite. It is a record of her discourses during a Vipassana 10 day silent retreat. Informative and enlightening!
7 people found this helpful
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laflyer
5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Spiritual Book
Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2011
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I have read "Being Nobody Going Nowhere" at least six times over the past ten years and often pick it up at random to read a page or two. I recently purchased four copies for gifts. If I were allowed only three spiritual books, this would be one of them, along with "The Power of Now" and AA's "Twelve and Twelve."
3 people found this helpful
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Mariano Lara
5.0 out of 5 stars Cautivador e interesante.
Reviewed in Mexico on March 13, 2024
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El Libro en general es muy bueno. Ofrece una guía sencilla y entendible sobre las enseñanzas de El Buda y cómo aplicarlas a la Vida diaria. De igual forma, la autora ofrece enseñanzas útiles sobre meditación y mindfulness y cómo adoptar dichos habitos. He leido varios libros de Budismo, y considero que este en partícular puede ser de Gran utilidad para alguien que quiere empezar a aprender más sobre el mensaje de El Buda.
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D. L.
5.0 out of 5 stars Molto interessante
Reviewed in Italy on October 12, 2019
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Un classico da leggere!
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Osaka
5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect primer on Buddhism.
Reviewed in Canada on October 12, 2017
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This is a excellent introduction to buddhist teachings, transcribed from a 10 days retreat Ayya Khema gave in Sri Lanka. It does not go into as much detail and depth as her other books, for exemple ¨Know where you're going¨ (which is the transcription of a complete meditation course given at Gampo Abbey) or ¨Who is my self?¨ (which is a commentary on the Potthapada sutta explaining the meditative path to the realization of anatta) but takes a more general approach and will serve as a great primer to anyone interested in learning what buddhism is all about. One delightful aspect of Ven. Khema's teaching style is the emphasis on loving-kindness (metta) and the other divine abodes - compassion, altruistic joy and equanimity. As she says in the book, ¨Joy with others is an antidote for depression - while one cannot always have joyful thoughts in one's life, joy with others makes it possible to always find something to be happy about.¨ While her style of teachings has a gentle touch, it doesn't mean she beats around the bush when it comes to expounding on the higher truth. Unlike many western-born buddhist teachers of today, she's not willing to compromise the original teachings of the Buddha to accomodate western psychology or consumerist society - she tells it like it is in the scriptures and stresses out that the buddhist path is complete in and of itself. People new to Buddhism who are serious about practice will be well served by this book.
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Cliente Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
Reviewed in Spain on March 11, 2018
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So insightful, wonderful, I have learned a lot from it. I trully recommend it to everybody. It has helped me to move forward on my spirital path
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Divya mittal
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book on Buddhist path
Reviewed in India on May 31, 2017
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Very useful to inspire practice and develop a good heart. Ayya khema is a very practical and kind teacher.must read.
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