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

Richard Shankman
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)

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Book Description

Dharmapractice comprises a wide range of wise instructions and skillfulmeans. As a result, meditators may be exposed to a diversity ofapproaches to the core teachings and the meditative path--and thatcan be confusing at times. In this clear and accessibleexploration, Dharma teacher and longtime meditator Richard Shankmanunravels the mix of differing, sometimes conflicting, views andtraditional teachings on how samadhi (concentration) is understoodand taught.

In part one, Richard Shankman explores the range of teachings andviews about samadhi in the Theravada Pali tradition, examinesdifferent approaches, and considers how they can inform and enrichour meditation practice.

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


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

  • File Size: 413 KB
  • Print Length: 259 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1590305213
  • Publisher: Shambhala Publications (October 22, 2012)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B009W7IHEI
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray:
  • Lending: Enabled
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #223,916 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
45 of 45 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars A Clear Path through the Samadhi Controversies January 13, 2009
Format: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.
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An important reference book August 28, 2009
Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase
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.
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14 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent explanation of Samadhi November 21, 2009
Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase
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.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Author Interviews made the book April 2, 2013
Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
The interviews with the Buddhist teachers in the second half of the book really make this a must buy. It almost as if Richard Shankman just spent the first half proving that he knows what he's talking about and then uses his knowledge to interview skilled monks to bring out some true insight into religious experience.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase
One of the best books about Jhanas available. Mr. Shankman explains the difference between meditation as practised in the Sutras and as practiced in the various commentaries to the Sutras. There are several controversies going on here, and he sets them out lucidly. He includes many interviews with meditation instructors of various Buddhist persuasions. A useful and intelligent book. Required reading if you have any historical or personal interest in deep meditative experience.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars thank you to the author!!!! November 17, 2013
By null
Format:Paperback|Verified Purchase
Defining samadhi and jhana has been a massive struggle for me because of all the debate and the author of this book cleared it up mostly and then got the opinion of a slough of experts in the form of interviews as well.

This book put most of my questions to bed finally! I am so thankful someone did this!!!
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5.0 out of 5 stars Use it as a road map June 4, 2014
By S. Tan
Format:Kindle Edition
Samatha is part of the Buddhist meditation despite differing opinions whether it's necessary to practice Samatha along with Vipassana (sometimes referred as 'gradual-step training') versus the promoters of only-Vipassana-matters (dry insight practice), As there are many traditions so there are many approaches to Samatha; yet it does not necessarily mean that this or that approach is the best method. I'd say, use this book as a road map, find a trustworthy teachter and sit to find out which technique works for you.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Very in depth view of Samadhi. The author is extremely thorough and the book is anything, but a primer.
Published 1 month ago by Goldenrule
3.0 out of 5 stars over my head
Richard Shankman's book looks in depth at Buddhist meditation. specifically at Samadhi in the pali texts: Samadhi in the pali sutras, jhana in the pali sutra and Samadhi in the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Joseph L. Kolb
5.0 out of 5 stars Samadhi does it for me.
Samadhi is a rock!

Who is Samadhi?

Samadhi is Peter!

Not Peter the Roman – just Peter.

Where is the Samadhi? Read more
Published 3 months ago by Timothy
5.0 out of 5 stars samadhi for life
The author has researched the topic very well from the aspect of the early texts and the commentaries, also reflectin on personal experience. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Dhammadarsa Bhikkhu
4.0 out of 5 stars Samadhi is the twin to mindfulness
Robert writes in a clear and thorough way that enhances our understanding of samadhi, which is so much more than "concentration", which is the usual translation of the word. Read more
Published on February 25, 2010 by Peter Strong
5.0 out of 5 stars very very worth it
the interviews are fabulous - - I started with the interview of Christina Feldman and it alone was worth way more than the cost of the book
Published on April 16, 2009 by Kenneth Wasserman
3.0 out of 5 stars A point of clarification
Unfortunately, all of the promotional material--the product description, the editorial reviews, the back cover, the description on the publisher's website--is misleading in that it... Read more
Published on February 21, 2009 by A reader
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