The Jhanas

“Written lucidly by one of the most experienced meditators in the West, this book outlines the way to develop the four jhānas (deep absorptions) and experience the four formless realms. The Buddha spoke of the great value of these as major steps to a truly enlightened life. Shaila has spent much of her adult life devoted to the Dharma in the East and West, including some nine years in total in retreats. The wealth of her experience, insights, and explanation of practice for depths of concentration and wisdom shine through the pages. This book is for the practitioner. It’s the best book on these practices I have seen. The Jhānas deserves to be on the bookshelf of every meditator.”—Christopher Titmuss, author of The Explicit Buddha

“Shaila Catherine represents a new generation of Dharma practitioners in the West, with in-depth experience studying with some of the greatest masters of both the Theravadan and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Her commitment to intensive practice has been matched by her dedication to study, and her exploration of the practice of concentration and jhānas reflects both these strengths.”—Sharon Salzberg, Insight Meditation Society cofounder and author of Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness

“The Jhānas is a wonderful book. Shaila Catherine describes the paths of deep concentration and transforming insight in a way that both inspires and enriches our practice. Her prose and her understanding are exceptionally lucid. This book is a treat to read.”—Joseph Goldstein, author of One Dharma: The Emerging Western Buddhism

“I love Shaila's book. Her descriptions of deep jhānic states are imbued with her own experience. As you read, you know she would never stretch the truth in order to be impressive, but there's some impressiveness that comes through almost in spite of itself. As a bonus, the connections she makes to the suttas make the Buddha's time seem much closer to our own, lit up with relevance and interest."—Lila Kate Wheeler, Dharma teacher and author of When Mountains Walked

“Among the many how-to books about Buddhist meditation, this book stands out for its deep commitment to the frames of reference developed in the Pāli Canon, specifically the role of concentration (both 'momentary concentration' in the insight path and the jhāna path), and its relationship to insight. With these frames, Catherine creates exercises and steps that develop calm meditative states and lead to liberating insight.”—Mu Soeng, author of The Heart of the Universe

“Shaila Catherine penetrates the mysterious world of jhāna practice with rigorous investigation and lucid explanations. Her book’s strength lies in that she knows the territory intimately and teaches from her own experience. The author has deeply devoted her life to awakening through meditation, and her confidence and wisdom ring true throughout the whole book.”—Diana Winston, author of Wide Awake: A Buddhist Guide for Teens

“This book is both scholarly and personal. It describes the terrain of intensely concentrated mental states and the dedication required for their cultivation in language that is so alluring and thorough that readers will, I am certain, be inspired to redouble their zeal for practice.”— Sylvia Boorstein, author of Pay Attention for Goodness’ Sake: The Buddhist Path of Kindness

“Shaila is a clear and eloquent voice within the movement to restore a well-rounded understanding of Buddhadhamma, which is itself a healthy sign of maturity within American Buddhism. May this worthy book receive the attention it deserves, and may we take it to heart and into practice.”— Santikaro, editor of Heartwood of the Bodhi Tree