Awareness Itself is dedicated to the life and teachings of the Thai monk Ajaan Fuang Jotiko. He was the teacher of the author of the book, Thanissaro Bhikkhu. The book is based on three other books, mainly Fuang’s The Language of the Heart and nearly the complete Transcendent Discernment. Not everything is a straight translation. Many of the anecdotes will make sense for western readers, so they have been retold to be more accessible for readers not familiar with Thai and monastic traditions of his time.
From the introduction:
“A group of Thai people once asked me what was the most amazing thing I have ever encountered in Ajaan Fuan, hoping that I would mention his mind-reading abilities of other supernatural powers. Although there were those – his knowledge of my mind seemed uncanny – I told them that what I found most amazing was his kindness and humanity.”
