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58 EASTERN HORIZON | BOOKS IN BRIEF

BOOKS IN BRIEF

Sayadaw U Tejaniya, Relax
and be Aware. Mindfulness Y Karunadasa, The
Meditations for clarity, Theravada Abhidhamma,
Confidence and Wisdom, Inquiry into the Nature of
Shambhala, Boulder. 2019. Conditioned Reality. Wisdom,
pp136. US$17.95. 2019.pp 449. US$37.95. Hard
www.shambhala.com cover. www.wisdompubs.org

The purpose of this book is to assist meditators to The author examines Abhidhamma perspectives on
practice not just during regular daily sittings but in the nature of phenomenal existence. He begins with
every moment of their daily life. The message from a discussion of dhamma theory, which describes the
Sayadaw U Tejaniya is that we need to meditate every bare phenomena that form the world of experience.
moment of our daily life. The book is divided into He then explains the Abhidhamma view that only
two parts. Part 1 brings the readers to the key aspect dhammas are real, and that anything other than
of Wisdom, which is reflected in both Right View and these basic phenomena are conceptual constructs.
Right Attitude, which must be accompanied by Right This, he argues, is Abhidhamma’s answer to
Effort. This is done through developing an investigate common-sense realism—the mistaken view that the
mind in our daily practice. world as it appears to us is ultimately real.

In Part Two, Sayadaw U Tejaniya explains how we Among the other topics discussed are
can practice meditation on a daily basis through • the theory of double truth (ultimate and
31 short chapters, titled as a month of daily life conceptual truth),
meditations. In these 31 chapters, he teaches how • the analysis of mind,
to steadily develop relaxation, refreshment, and • the theory of cognition,
enlightenment. Some of the insights highlighted • the analysis of matter,
include “The right time to meditate is all day long, • the nature of time and space,
from the moment we wake up and open our eyes, • the theory of momentary being, and
until the moment we fall asleep at night,” and • conditional relations.
“Meditation shouldn’t make the mind or the body
tired. If you are practicing correctly with right effort, The volume concludes with an appendix that
it will definitely bring peace and joy.” examines why the Theravada came to be known as
Vibhajjavada, “the doctrine of analysis.”
Though Sayadaw U Tejaniya offers simple and clear
instructions for being aware, he explained that it Not limiting himself to abstract analysis, the author
does not mean the practice is easy, but if we are draws out the Abhidhamma’s underlying premises
willing to engage, then they are very effective. His and purposes. The Abhidhamma provides a detailed
instructions and daily reflections encourage us to description of reality in order to identify the sources
cultivate awareness and wisdom all the time—not of suffering and their antidotes—and in doing so, to
simply in formal sitting and walking practice, but in free oneself. EH
the fullness of our lives. EH