Dhamma Wheel Buddhist Forum

I would like to ask for references for books (online or not) dealing with the jhanas as thaught by the Buddha (ie, with 5 senses not shut down; please don't debate wether this is the correct jhana or not, here). Some small descriptions would be apreciated. The books don't necessarily have to be just about jhana, but should cover this topic with some depth.

I already have Ayya Khema's "Who is my self?".

Thank you in advance

Not a practice book, but a book about jhana: THE EXPERIENCE OF SAMADHI by Richard Shankman. It does look at the controvesy of the sutta vs commentarial notions. It has interviews with various teachers. it may or may not be of interest. It can be gotten for under $10.00 on Amazon.

Chapter 10 wrote: The First Jhana

When you enter the first jhana you are still in touch with your physical senses. Your eyes are closed but you can still hear, smell, feel, and taste. This is one definite indication of the first jhana, as opposed to others.

Moggalana wrote:

Chapter 10 wrote: The First Jhana

When you enter the first jhana you are still in touch with your physical senses. Your eyes are closed but you can still hear, smell, feel, and taste. This is one definite indication of the first jhana, as opposed to others.

I also highly second tilt's recommendation. Richard Shankman's The Experience of Samadhi is excellent.

It can be read in part here:
http://books.google.com/books/about/The ... _ZzFgJ1AwC" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here also is Beyond Mindfulness in Plain English which can also be read in part here:
http://books.google.com/books?id=UGzTsK ... milarbooks" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mindfulness, bliss, and beyond -- Ajahn Brahm

I didn't know about "Beyond minfulness in plain English". I read "Minfulness in plain English" a few weeks ago (same author) and that was a very good book.

Co sign "Beyond Mindfulness". Excellent book.

Ytrog wrote:Mindfulness, bliss, and beyond -- Ajahn Brahm

I didn't know about "Beyond minfulness in plain English". I read "Minfulness in plain English" a few weeks ago (same author) and that was a very good book.

Hi Ytrog,
I think the OP specifically called for a book which doesn't claim that the five senses are 'shut down' in first Jhana, which kind of rules out Ven. Ajahn Brahm's (otherwise very helpful) book.

Ytrog wrote:Mindfulness, bliss, and beyond -- Ajahn Brahm

Out of curiosity because it was mentioned here by a user in an interesting context I bought it. After having read it I am concluding that while it may be inspiring as to "how to approach concentration" the way the author presents his view/interpretations and the way he tries to support his view/interpretations with sutta references does not appear very convincing. Since this forum is called "suttanta method" the mention of this book may be misplaced here.


Kind regards

I've only gotten near the 1st Jhana so far, but I found "Focused and Fearless" by Shalia Catherine to be useful. It teaches all of the related concepts ( names and descriptions of various states of mind, etc ) without dumbing things done, yet is very clear. She offers loads of exercises, but the basic technique is to do anapanasati with the difference ( from insight practice ) of letting go of distractions as opposed to being aware of them and watching them pass.

Thank you for your sugestions, but please pay atention to the original post, where I asked for books on jhana as described in the suttas, ie, with the 5 senses not unactive.

Modus.Ponens wrote:Thank you for your sugestions, but please pay atention to the original post, where I asked for books on jhana as described in the suttas, ie, with the 5 senses not unactive.

You'll probably enjoy reading this. I'm not sure if you'd seen that it was recently submitted to the Early Buddhism subforum.