Breathing Mindfulness Discovering the Riches at the Heart of the Buddhist Path

<b>Explore the life-changing practice of ānāpānasati, or breathing mindfulness—one of the most popular and foundational Buddhist meditation practices.</b><br><br>Whether you practice vipassana, samatha, or any type of practice that develops concentration, this book will be a revelation. “Breathing mindfulness” meditation is a cornerstone of Buddhist practice, believed to be key to the Buddha’s own enlightenment. This powerful technique fosters a harmonious blend of awareness and tranquility, guiding practitioners toward profound meditative states and deeper wisdom. Yet, even among those who practice one strand or another of this practice, there is a treasure trove of variety and richness to discover. <br><br>Oxford University scholar and practitioner Sarah Shaw guides readers through the history and contemporary interpretations of breathing mindfulness, emphasizing the Pali or Southern tradition of Buddhism. In this in-depth study, she examines:<br><br><br><ul><li>The Ānāpānasati Sutta, the foundational Buddhist text on breathing mindfulness;</li><li>The systematization of the practice through the commentarial texts like Vimuttimagga (The Path to Freedom) and Visuddhimagga (The Path of Purification);</li><li>Intriguing, lesser-known systems of esoteric Theravada breath meditation nearly lost to history;</li><li>The history and variety of the practice within the Thai Forest tradition, looking at key figures including Ajahn Sao, Ajahn Maha Boowa, Ajahn Lee, Ajahn Chah, and Ajahn Thate;</li><li>Key figures in Myanmar, including Mingun Sayadaw, Sunlun Sayadaw, Webu Sayadaw, Mahasi Sayadaw, and Pa Auk Sayadaw;</li><li>Other influential innovators like U Ba Khin, S.N. Goenka, Ajahn Buddhadasa, and Ayya Khema;</li><li>The importance of breath meditation and its complex relationship to the insight meditation (vipassana) movement;</li><li>And the influence of breathing mindfulness within other Buddhist traditions and beyond, including Indic traditions, Chinese traditions, Zen, Tibetan Buddhism, and more.</li></ul><br><br>Shaw’s exploration reveals the enduring legacy of this practice, from its ancient origins to its contemporary resurgence, and how this might be applicable in your own practice.