Practicing the Jhanas Traditional Concentration Meditation as Presented by the Venerable Pa Auk Sayada w

by Snyder, Stephen; Rasmussen, Tina; Pa Auk Sayadaw

• ISBN13: 9781590307335
• ISBN10: 159030733X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-12-01
• Publisher: Shambhala

Summary

This is a clear and in-depth presentation of the traditional Theravadin concentration meditation known as jhana practice, from two authors who have practiced the jhanas in retreat under the guidance of one of the great living meditation masters, Pa Auk Sayadaw. The authors describe the techniques and their results, based on their own experience.

Author Biography

Tina Rasmussen has been practicing meditation intensively since 1976. In 2005, she attended a two-month jhana retreat with Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw, who ordained her as a Theravada Buddhist nun. During the retreat, Tina became the first American and the first Western woman to complete the eight jhanas (as well as other practices) in the lineage of Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. vii
Preface	p. ix
Acknowledgments	p. xi
History of the Jh&abar;nas	p. 1
Samatha Practice: The Purification of Mind	p. 7
Foundational Understandings	p. 37
Skillful Effort from First Sit to First Jh&abar;na	p. 51
Material Jh&abar;nas One through Four and Related Practices	p. 71
Immaterial Jh&abar;nas Five through Eight and Related Practices	p. 99
The Sublime Abidings and Protective Meditations	p. 115
Four Elements Meditation	p. 119
The Buddha as Our Role Model	p. 129
Epilogue	p. 131
Progression of Practice Chart	p. 134
Notes	p. 137
Bibliography	p. 140
Index	p. 141
About the Authors	p. 147
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

“Stephen Snyder and Tina Rasmussen know what they write about in this book through their own direct experience as dedicated yogis. This book serves as a bridge for Westerners, as a conduit to the traditional teachings of the Buddha.”—Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw

“This book offers a fascinating look at the inner experience of jhana meditation as taught by the Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw. Tina and Stephen are among a very few Western students of Sayadaw who can speak authoritatively about these profound levels of concentration. Their work is a most valuable addition to the contemporary literature of Theravadin Buddhism.”—Guy Armstrong, Senior Dharma Teacher, Spirit Rock Meditation Center

“This is a unique road map to the extraordinary and transforming states of mind known as the jhanas. As a psychologist and as a practicing Buddhist, I recommend this book wholeheartedly.”—Rick Hansen, PhD, co-author ofBuddha’s Brain: The New Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom

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Excerpted from Practicing the Jhanas: Traditional Concentration Meditation by Stephen Snyder, Tina Rasmussen
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.