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

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Shambhala Publications, Dec 1, 2009 - Religion - 160 pages
Two experienced American meditators explain the stages and techniques of concentration meditation, as taught by the Buddhist master Pa Auk Sayadaw

This is a clear and in-depth presentation of the traditional Theravadin concentration meditation known as jhāna practice, from two authors who have practiced the jhānas 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.
 

Contents

Foundational Understandings
37
Skillful Effort from First Sit to First Jhāna
51
Material Jhānas One through Four
71
Immaterial Jhānas Five through Eight
99
The Sublime Abidings and Protective
115
The Buddha as Our Role Model
129
Progression of Practice Chart
134
About the Authors
147
Copyright

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About the author (2009)

Stephen Snyder began practicing Zen Buddhism in 1976, and has had a daily meditation practice from that time on. He practiced for 20 years with several Western Zen masters. He participated in more than 50 retreats, receiving several ordinations and the Zen dharma name Peak Wisdom, Mutual Joy. Stephen attended a two-month retreat with Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw in 2005. He attained the eight jhanas (as well as other practices) in the span of the retreat, becoming the first American male to complete this attainment. 

Tina Rasmussen has been practicing meditation intensively since 1996. 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.

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