Meditation instruction videos by Richard Shankman

The cultivation of calm or tranquility and the development of concentration
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marc108
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Meditation instruction videos by Richard Shankman

Post by marc108 »

This is probably the most clear and concise explanation of and instructions for developing Samadhi and entering Jhana I've seen:

"Concentration and Insight Meditation As One Path of Practice"

http://www.mettadharma.org/video-teachings/
"It's easy for us to connect with what's wrong with us... and not so easy to feel into, or to allow us, to connect with what's right and what's good in us."
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Polar Bear
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Re: Meditation instruction videos by Richard Shankman

Post by Polar Bear »

Thanks for posting. I found the videos interesting and informative.

:anjali:
"I don't envision a single thing that, when developed & cultivated, leads to such great benefit as the mind. The mind, when developed & cultivated, leads to great benefit."

"I don't envision a single thing that, when undeveloped & uncultivated, brings about such suffering & stress as the mind. The mind, when undeveloped & uncultivated, brings about suffering & stress."
danieLion
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Re: Meditation instruction videos by Richard Shankman

Post by danieLion »

marc108 wrote:This is probably the most clear and concise explanation of and instructions for developing Samadhi and entering Jhana I've seen:

"Concentration and Insight Meditation As One Path of Practice"

http://www.mettadharma.org/video-teachings/
Looking forward to this a lot. Thanks marc108! I know it's off topic, but I forgot to bookmark your post about the Brahm/Sujato early Buddhism talks. Could you post the link? Thanks again.
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marc108
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Re: Meditation instruction videos by Richard Shankman

Post by marc108 »

"It's easy for us to connect with what's wrong with us... and not so easy to feel into, or to allow us, to connect with what's right and what's good in us."
Samma
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Re: Meditation instruction videos by Richard Shankman

Post by Samma »

A lot of this revolves around the distinction in his book between visuddhimagga/sutta, preview here:
http://books.google.com/books/about/The ... _ZzFgJ1AwC

inclusvie awreness, imersed in body, open, connected
vs.
exclusive, disconnected to body, narrow

I'm not sure its the most clear and concise though, I'd like to see what beginning mediators make of it. I'd point out his rec reading list:
http://www.richardshankman.org/reading.html
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marc108
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Re: Meditation instruction videos by Richard Shankman

Post by marc108 »

Samma wrote:A lot of this revolves around the distinction in his book between visuddhimagga/sutta, preview here:
http://books.google.com/books/about/The ... _ZzFgJ1AwC

also 5+ hours of a day-long series he did called: "Samadhi: Exploring the Range of Teachings and Controversies on Concentration & Jhana"

http://audiodharma.org/series/135/talk/1854/
"It's easy for us to connect with what's wrong with us... and not so easy to feel into, or to allow us, to connect with what's right and what's good in us."
Samma
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Re: Meditation instruction videos by Richard Shankman

Post by Samma »

Thanks marc, some interesting stuff in there
1. Found it curious Shankman said he practices breath mediation but does not practice steps out of anapanasati. Considering he prefers suttas to commentaries and says he is quite similar with Ajahn Thanissaro. Hes got to be familiar with it, so why would he say that. Perhaps that's why much of his direction in the previous videos come off to me as pretty vauge, does not have much of a framework.
2. He follows breath at tip of nose personally, and tends to recommend that.
3.One time on retreat reporting experience to Joseph Goldestein he asked if that was access concentration and Goldstein said something like the practice was going well, but lets not label it. While another teacher from that retreat said it was 2-3rd jhana.
4. Said what vitikka/vicara means may be the most difficult issue.
Anyway, probably a pretty good summary for those that don't have access to the book.
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