The Experience of Samadhi An In-depth Exploration of Buddhist Meditation

by SHANKMAN, RICHARD

• ISBN13: 9781590305218
• ISBN10: 1590305213
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-12-30
• Publisher: Shambhala

Summary

This book offers an in-depth look at the foundational aspect of Buddhist meditation known as samadhi, or concentration: the ability of the mind to remain calm and settled without distraction. In part one of the book, Richard Shankman looks at the range of views and understandings about the experience of samadhi and offers a comprehensive examination of it using teachings attributed to the Buddha as well as later commentaries. He compares the diverse descriptions and presentations of samadhi in order to present a broad understanding of it and its place in meditation practice. He examines different, often conflicting, views and how these various views are related.In part two, he presents a series of interviews with prominent contemporary Buddhist teachers, including Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg, and Christina Feldman, that focus on the practical experience of samadhi. This section of the book brings the theoretical to life, offering a range of approaches to and applications of the different meditation techniques.

Author Biography

Richard Shankman is a Buddhist meditation teacher and longtime practitioner. He is an authorized dharma teacher in the Spirit Rock Teachers Council and teaches regularly throughout the San Francisco Bay Area at dharma centers and retreats, including Spirit Rock Meditation Center.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Acknowledgments	p. xii
Introduction	p. xiii
Samadhi in the Pali Texts
Samadhi in the Pali Suttas	p. 3
The Importance and Place of Samadhi in Buddhist Meditation	p. 6
Warnings on the Dangers and Misuse of Samadhi	p. 7
Developing Concentration	p. 10
Right Samadhi	p. 14
Samadhi in Important Buddhist Lists and Discourses	p. 17
Jhana in the Pali Suttas	p. 32
The First Jhana	p. 36
The Second Jhana	p. 43
An Alternate Scheme for the First Two Jhanas	p. 46
The Third Jhana	p. 46
The Fourth Jhana	p. 48
Beyond the Four Jhanas: Three Divergent Paths of Development	p. 49
Samadhi in the Visuddhimagga	p. 53
Tranquillity and Insight: Two Paths of Meditation Practice	p. 55
Three Levels of Concentration	p. 56
Three Signs of Concentration	p. 57
Developing Samadhi	p. 59
Meditation Subjects to Develop Samadhi	p. 60
Jhana in the Visuddhimagga	p. 62
The Eight Attainments	p. 67
Controversies Surrounding Samadhi	p. 77
What is Jhana?	p. 79
Are Samadhi and Insight Two Distinct Paths of Practice or One?	p. 83
Is Jhana Necessary for the Deepest Stages of Insight?	p. 90
From the Suttas to the Visuddhimagga	p. 97
Conclusion	p. 101
Interviews With Contemporary Meditation Teachers
Jack Kornfield	p. 107
Ajaan Thanissaro	p. 117
Sharon Salzberg	p. 130
Bhante Gunaratana	p. 136
Christina Feldman	p. 146
Leigh Brasington	p. 156
Ajahn Brahmavamso	p. 166
Pa Auk Sayadaw	p. 174
Does It Matter Where You Watch the Breath?	p. 183
The Four Stages of Enlightenment	p. 187
Organization of the Pali Canon	p. 189
Samatha Meditation Practices of the Visuddhimagga	p. 191
Notes	p. 207
Glossary	p. 215
Sources for the Pali Texts	p. 219
Credits	p. 221
Index	p. 223
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