The Experience of Samadhi: An In-depth Exploration of Buddhist Meditation [Paperback]

Richard Shankman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 30, 2008

Dharma practice comprises a wide range of wise instructions and skillful means. As a result, meditators may be exposed to a diversity of approaches to the core teachings and the meditative path--and that can be confusing at times. In this clear and accessible exploration, Dharma teacher and longtime meditator Richard Shankman unravels the mix of differing, sometimes conflicting, views and traditional teachings on how samadhi (concentration) is understood and taught.

In part one, Richard Shankman explores the range of teachings and views about samadhi in the Theravada Pali tradition, examines different approaches, and considers how they can inform and enrich our meditation practice.

Part two consists of a series of interviews with prominent contemporary Theravada and Vipassana (Insight) Buddhist teachers. These discussions focus on the practical experience of samadhi, bringing the theoretical to life and offering a range of applications of the different meditation techniques.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A balanced, intelligent, and indispensable guide to the range of Buddhist teachings on samadhi. Written by an accomplished meditator."—Gil Fronsdal, author and translator, The Dhammapada

"The Experience of Samadhi provides a wonderfully broad overview of the role of concentration in Buddhist meditation as well as in-depth exploration of meditative experience. This book is a valuable and inspiring resource."—Joseph Goldstein, author of One Dharma and A Heart Full of Peace

"This book will be strongly welcomed not only by all those who sit on the meditation cushion but also by many who want to know about the experiences of meditative concentration and unification of the mind. It will be a classic, a manual and resource book lasting for generations. This is a five-star book. Actually, six stars."—Christopher Titmuss, author of An Awakened Life

About the Author

Richard Shankman is a Buddhist meditation teacher with nearly four decades' experience in meditation practice and study. He is cofounder of the Sati Center for Buddhist Studies as well as the Community Partnership for Mindfulness in Education. He teaches throughout the country at Dharma centers and retreats, including Spirit Rock Meditation Center.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (December 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590305213
• ISBN-13: 978-1590305218
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.6 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,638 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Clear Path through the Samadhi Controversies, January 13, 2009

By 

Alan Gump - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Experience of Samadhi: An In-depth Exploration of Buddhist Meditation (Paperback)

What is jhana? Are there conflicting definitions in the Buddhists texts? Do the original sources in the Pali canon agree with later commentaries? How is samadhi (concentration) taught in the West? Do modern Vipassana teachers and monastics agree on the fundamental definitions and methods? These are the key questions Richard Shankman addresses in this clearly written, superbly organized study of samadhi. The book begins with a detailed explanation of samadhi and jhana in the Pali canon, complete with references to key suttas, then moves to a thorough examination of jhana in the Visuddhimaga. Next it highlights the core controversies surrounding samadhi. In a wonderfully helpful section, Shankman presents the text of interviews he conducted with four monastics and four senior Vipassana dharma instructors to show the areas of agreement and disagreement on this subject. Shankman's style is direct, lucid, and impartial, giving all sides of the argument equal time. A must-read for practitioners who want a deeper understanding of the eighth principle of the Eight-Fold Path.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important reference book, August 28, 2009

By 

Anagarika Dipa (Springfield, MO United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Experience of Samadhi: An In-depth Exploration of Buddhist Meditation (Paperback)

I would recommend this book to anyone who meditates and has questions like "What is samadhi, what is jhana, who teaches in accordance with the discourses of the Buddha and who teaches more in line with the Path of Purification (Visuddhimagga)? It is a very helpful reference book. I first read a copy from the library and decided to buy a copy.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent explanation of Samadhi, November 21, 2009

By 

Jon Gundersgaard "customer" (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Experience of Samadhi: An In-depth Exploration of Buddhist Meditation (Paperback)

I have been attached to Buddhism for 15 years but am not a well trained Buddhist scholar. Though some of his points were above my level of understanding I am really happy I read this book. I came a way with a deeper understanding of Samadhi than I had before. His interviews at the end are worth the price of the book alone.