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

includes index and biblioraphy

1. Samadhi in the pali Texts Samadhi in the Pali Suttas ...........3 The importance and Place of Samadhi in Buddhist Meditation ..........6 Warnings on the Dangers and Misuse of Samadhi ........7 Developing Concentration ..........10 Right Samadhi ...........14 Samadhi in Important Buddhist Lists and Discourses ..........17 2. Jhana in the Pali Suttas ..........32 The First Jhana ..........36 The Second Jhana ...........43 An Alternate Scheme for the First Two Jhanas .............46 The Third Jhana ...............46 The Fourth Jhana ...........48 Beyond the Four Jhanas : Three Divergent Paths of Development ..........49 3. Samadhi in the Visuddhimagga ...........53 Tranquility and Insight : two Paths of Meditation practice ............55 Three levels of Concentration .........56 Three signs of Concentration ..............57 Developing Samadhi .........59 Meditation subjects to Develop Samadhi ..........60 Jhana in the Visuddhimagga ...........62 The Eight Attainments ...........67 4. Controversies Surrounding Samadhi ........77 what is Jhana ..........79 Are Samadhi and Insight two Distinct paths of practice or One ...........83 Is jhana Necessary for the Deepest Stages of Insight .........90 From the Suttas to the Visuddhimagga .............97 Part II Interviews with Contemporary meditation teachers Jack Kornfied.......107 Ajaan Thanissaro .........117 Sharon Salzberg.........130 Bhante Gunaratana ..........136 Christina Feldman ........146 Leigh Brasington ........156 Ajahn Brahmavamso ............166 Pa Auk Saydaw ........174