Jhanas Advice from Two Spiritual Friends Endorsements Stephen Snyder and Tina Rasmussen know of what they write about in their book, through their own direct experience as dedicated yogis. Their book serves as a bridge for Westerners, as a conduit to the traditional teachings of the Buddha as outlined in the suttas and the Visuddhimagga, as well as my book Knowing and Seeing. Many years ago, my teacher told me to plant the seed of this teaching in the West. Their book serves to water this seed and help it flower. I strongly recommend this book to all who are drawn to the jhānas, and who seek to practice the Buddhist path as the Buddha lived and taught it. - Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw Abbot, Pa Auk Monastery, Burma Written with great sincerity, precision, and grace, this is a unique road map to the extraordinary and transforming states of mind known as the jhānas. By two accomplished Western professionals, and drawing on the teachings of Pa Auk Sayadaw (widely regarded as a master of the jhānas), this book is both a fascinating account of the possible upper reaches of human potential and a step-by-step practice guide for how to get there. As a psychologist and as a practicing Buddhist, I recommend this book wholeheartedly. - Rick Hanson, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist I lived and practiced as a bhikkhu at Pa Auk Monastery for two years. While there, I saw sincere meditators from all over the world attempting to undertake this beautiful but rigorous practice. I have read or reviewed all the books in English on jhāna practice. Jhānas Advice from Two Spiritual Friends not only provides a much-needed bridge for a modern audience to understand and then access these ancient practices, but it also conveys a kind of dhamma transmission of the profoundly subtle aspects of the jhānas. - Robert Cusick Former Monk at Pa Auk Monastery, and Spirit Rock Manager of Retreats Making ancient wisdom accessible to Western readers is a delicate and demanding task, which Stephen and Tina have done admirably. They go well beyond the text of the classical Visuddhimagga and describe how a Theravadan master actually taught the classical text, what blocks Westerners are likely to meet, and how to navigate those rarely charted waters. - Michael Hagerty Professor Emeritus, University of California—Davis I am astounded by the simplicity/complexity and nuance of this practice, and that two lay Westerners have been able to both do this amazing practice and articulate it in very simple terms. I feel a sense of optimism and accessibility—as well as relief—that the practice is doable by Westerners who are not monastics. After reading this book I am both deeply touched by the very real possibility, and also inspired to explore this for myself and for the benefit of others. - Cyndia Biver Marketing Consultant, and Spirit Rock Retreat Manager

The jhāna practice is a very important part of the Buddha’s path. Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw is recognized as one of the most rigorous jhāna teachers in the world. This book on Stephen and Tina’s experience would be useful to any Buddhist who wishes to undertake the jhānas as practiced by the Buddha and taught by Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw. - Roland K. Win Entrepreneur, and benefactor to Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw

Jhanas Advice from Two Spiritual Friends Table of Contents

Practices Chart Chapter 1: What Are the Jhānas, and How Did We Come to Write This Book?

A Brief History of the Jhānas from 3000 BCE to Today Chapter 2: Preparing for Jhānas: Preliminary Practices and Foundational Understandings The Three Stages of Practice

Preliminary Practices of Sila Precepts

Four Noble Truths Eightfold Path

Foundational Understandings Jhāna Factors Hindrances Silence

Developing Meditative Concentration on the “Ânàpànà Spot” Breathing

Effort Putting Aside What We Know

The Use of Resolves Meditation Timing “Psychic Powers” Types of Concentration: Momentary, Access,

and Absorption Nimitta Chapter 3: Form Jhānas (One through Four) and Related Practices Absorption Stability The Four Form Jhānas and Associated Jhāna Factors Five Jhāna Masteries Bhavanga (Bhavaïga) Second Jhāna Third Jhāna Fourth Jhāna Further Practices with the Form Jhānas

Thirty-Two Body Parts Meditation Skeleton Meditation Kasinas (Kasiõa) White Kasina Nila (Brown/Black/Blue) Kasina Yellow Kasina

Red Kasina Earth Kasina Water Kasina Fire Kasina Wind Kasina Light Kasina Space Kasina The “Base” Meditation Object and “Recharging” Concentration

Chapter 4: Immaterial States/Formless Jhānas (Five through Eight) and Related Practices Base of Boundless Space (the Fifth Jhāna)

Base of Boundless Consciousness (the Sixth Jhāna) Base of Nothingness (the Seventh Jhāna) Base of Neither Perception Nor Non-perception (the Eighth Jhāna)

Order of Kasinas through the Immaterial Jhānas Chapter 5: The Sublime Abidings and Protective Meditations Chapter 6: Four Elements Meditation Four Elements Meditation Order of Characteristics of Each Element per Traditional Instruction Variations on How and When to Do This Practice

Rupa-kalàpas Stephen Snyder Biography Tina Rasmussen Biography