Exp Samadhi Shankman

Introduction
- unravel conflicting views and styles of meditation

- basic concept under examination = samadhi
- first examined from pov of suttas
- then from Vishuddimagga
- interviews with teachers
On the night of Awakening, Gautama' entered jhanas 1->4 , then

directed his 'jhanad mind' to
- recollection of past lives
- knowledge of beings living, dying, being reborn in many circumstances
- destruction of taints (of sensual desire, being, ignorance)
and then he 'knew liberation'.
? what is different about this jhanadmind that was different from states of intense
concentration known before his time?
Note: At this point it is unclear what is the difference between samadhi and jhana,
or even what their definitions are, except that jhana is approximately ' a state of
very deep concentration'
From Buddha's time much disagreement on whether meditator should focus on

concentration or insight. (note: unclear whether 'concentration' = samadhi or
jhana)
Many conflicting views on this, and many conflicting practices. abstract consensus
that 'some' insight and 'some' concentration required. Much dispute on how to
meditate to develop these qualities.
(at this point 'samadhi' seems to be defined as 'non clinging' and 'letting go' and
jhana + vipassana seems to == 'how to get to samadhi' and therefore much argument
about mix, precedence etc, but then the author seems to again equate samadhi to
jhana)
styles of meditation can be divided into 3

- those that emphasize tranquility (this seems to be a 'code word' for jhana)
and calm
- those that emphasize insight
- those that emphasize a (concurrent) mix of tranquility and insight
Three Baskets - tripitika

- Ananda's recollections - developed into Suttas
- another monk's - the Vinaya
- later the Abhidamma, and even later the Visuddhimagga
Part 1: Samadhi in the (Pali) Suttas

basic meaning of Samadhi == 'undistractedness'.
There is agreement about the importance of cultivating the ability of the mind to
settle.
There is disagreement about
- how much to strengthen this ability
- what the best practices are that lead to it
- how best to incorporate it into one's meditation practice
key feature - an undistracted singleness of mind.

But understood as two distinct abilities
1. an exclusive focus on a single object.This ability can be built to the point
where the focus does not waver from the object of attention at all, to the point
where no awareness of any other awareness can arise.
2. a state of mind in which the mind is steady and unmoving but aware of a wide
range of phenomena around the meditation object. Rests firmly and steadily on the
object of it attention. The mind is settled and undistracted, though not focused on
a single point. Rather than focusing on a single object or experience, the mind
itself becomes still. All faculties of the mind are brought together and settle
unwavering, but clearly aware as a variety of phenomena unfold
The Suttas give four distinct approaches to cultivating samadhi.

1. develop the inttrinsically pleasant absorption states known as the (four)
jhanas
2. by focusing one's attention on the perception of light,cultivate a mind full
of brightness.
3. by contemplating the rising, endurance and falling away of thoughts,
perceptions and feelings, generate mindfulness and comprehension
4. by understanding the rising and passing away of the five aggregates, the
asavas (forces of clinging and ignorance that keep us bound in suffering) are
destroyed
(1) is about how to practice concentration, the remaining 3 seem to be applications
some verbiage about warnings about getting enthralled by jhana statas but
apparently GB himself said these were all right in the long term. whatevs.
Developing concentration:
tactic 1: eliminate the '5 hindrances' - sensual desire, illwill, sloth and
torpor, restlessness, doubt.
development of concentration to a certain point suppresses (but does not
eliminate) them. In addition they can be actively abandoned to develop
concentration.
tactic 2: guarding the sense doors - essentially react wisely to sensory input
(and don't let them drag you into ^). also find a place to meditate where senses
are not excited.
concentration on focus object deepening to a point where sense input is
minimized is a stage in progress.
Right Samadhi
- (the suttas state that) concentration is a prerequisite for seeing directly
and clearly into the nature of things.
- but note that deep states of concentration by themselves are not liberating.
Only insight can do that. Deep states of concentration temporarily suppress
defilements, and give temporary experiences of deep peace etc as long as
concentration is maintained.
- but concentration supported by insight and other factors does have a
liberating character. Such concentration is 'right concentration' and equated to
the 4 jhanas.
- 7 'supporting factors' which convert 'concentration' into 'right
concentration'
- right view, (right) intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort,
mindfulness
(otoh GB's teachers seem to have reached these or equivalent states just by
concentration. So... )
7 factors of Enlightenment
1. mindfulness
2. investigation/discrimination/discernment of dhammas
3. energy
4. rapture
5. tranquility
6. concentration
7. equanimity
These are a list of mental factors, and also a list of progressive steps to be
developed sequentially. with the latter perpective, one factor developed and
cultivated and matured forms the foundation for the unfoldment of the next.
Cultivating these factors are counters to the hindrances.

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Introduction

- unravel conflicting views and styles of meditation

On the night of Awakening, Gautama' entered jhanas 1->4 , then

From Buddha's time much disagreement on whether meditator should focus on

styles of meditation can be divided into 3

Three Baskets - tripitika

Part 1: Samadhi in the (Pali) Suttas

key feature - an undistracted singleness of mind.

The Suttas give four distinct approaches to cultivating samadhi.

(1) is about how to practice concentration, the remaining 3 seem to be applications

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