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.