Focused and FearlessA Meditator’s Guide to States of Deep Joy, Calm and Clarity Focused and Fearless offers the richness of an ancient meditative tradition as interpreted through the practice of a contemporary American laywoman. This orientation represents a landmark shift in Theravadan Buddhism by bringing jhana into the reach of ordinary, busy practitioners. Focused and Fearless speaks to ordinary meditators who wish to attain non-ordinary states with ease. It offers a creative and contemporary slant to this ancient path of happiness and wisdom. Blended with contemporary examples, pragmatic exercises, and “how to” instructions that anyone can try, this book provides a wealth of tools to cultivate non-distracted attention in daily life and retreat. Focused and Fearless presents an accessible, friendly, and wise approach to establishing ecstatic meditative states that lead to liberating insight. This is more than a book about concentration. It offers a complete path for awakening that is firmly based on the power of a unified mind. “Focused and Fearless is a beautifully written introduction to jhana meditation that demonstrates the importance and necessity of deep concentration. ...more...” —Venerable Pa-Auk Tawya Sayadaw Praise from Buddhist AuthorsFocused and Fearless 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 ...more... —Joseph Goldstein, author of A Heart Full of Peace and One Dharma: The Emerging Western Buddhism Written lucidly by one of the most experienced meditators in the West, Shaila outlines the way to develop the four jhanas (deep absorptions) and experience the four Formless realms. The Buddha spoke of the ...more... —Christopher Titmuss, author of Light on Enlightenment and An Awakened Life 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 ...more... —Sylvia Boorstein, cofounder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center and author of Pay Attention for Goodness’ Sake: The Buddhist Path of Kindness and several other books on Buddhism Shaila Catherine represents a new generation of Dharma practitioner in the West, with in-depth experience studying with some of the greatest masters of both the Theravadan and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. ...more... —Sharon Salzberg, Insight Meditation Society cofounder and author of Loving Kindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness, Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience, and several other books on Buddhism This is a “user-friendly” concentration book. Through practical exercises and clear examples, Shaila makes the ancient wisdom of the jhanas accessible to all. —Amy Schmidt, dharma teacher and author of Dipa Ma: The Life and Teaching of a Buddhist Master. I love Shaila’s book. Her exercises for daily life are truly original—and fun, plus they really work. She makes renunciation sound good—she’s very humble, but at the same time, wise. ...more... —Kate Lila Wheeler, dharma teacher and author of When Mountains Walked, editor of In This Very Life and The State of Mind Called Beautiful. Rigorously investigated and lucidly explained, Shaila Catherine penetrates the mysterious world of jhana practice. Her book’s strength lies in that she knows the territory intimately and teaches from ...more... —Diana Winston, author of Wide Awake, A Buddhist Guide for Teens, teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and Director of Mindful Awareness Research Center, UCLA. 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 Pali Canon ...more... —Mu Soeng, author of The Heart of the Universe, Resident Scholar at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies. This book will be of interest to anyone...wishing to incorporate the deeper stages of concentration ...more... Reader ReviewsFocused and Fearless is a reliable and pragmatic guide to the practices of absorption concentration, or jhana. It presents them within the broader context of the path of liberating the mind from suffering ...more... —Phil Jones, Columbia, MO Meditating is not easy, at least it hasn't been for me. It's essential to understand the importance of meditation to our lives, and to see how far we can go in the meditation process. Focused and Fearless not only ...more... —Dana Nourie, San Jose, CA I found Shaila's book to be clear, deep, joyful, and also to have a certain streak of humor. Overall, Shaila makes it very clear how the mind in jhana is used as a tool, not as an end in itself. There is something ...more... —Kim Allen, San Jose, CA Focused and Fearless is a marvelous contribution to the dharma and support to meditators. Shaila Catherine writes with clarity, passion, and conviction that comes from experience. This book has been a guide and a support for our Christian Insight Meditation group. Now, her years of practice are a blessing for so many more. —Joseph Mitchell, a Passionist priest, is the director of the Passionist Earth & Spirit Center in Louisville, KY Focused and Fearless - Transformative! Focused and Fearless is a superb, powerfully transformative guide for meditators. The instructions are accessible and immediately helpful, beautiful in their ...more... —Ann Dillon, Gainsville, FL This book delivers on its title. Shaila Catherine clearly explains the purpose and value of having a focused and fearless mind and lays out in practical terms ...more... —Sharon Allen, Sunnyvale, CA Focused and Fearless is exceptionally helpful for those interested in exploring the sublime meditative absorptions known as jhana states. ...more... —Tom Gray, Nevada I recently went back and re-read parts of Shaila Catherine’s first book, Focused and Fearless. My experience was like a visit and conversation with an old friend whom I hadn’t seen for too long. ...more... —Glenn Smith, California Not yet mentioned by other reviewers is one facet of this book that I find particularly useful: its combination of practice with theory. By using a generous sprinkling of "exercise" and "reflection" boxes throughout the text, ...more... —F. Lindsay, California Focused and Fearless had been extremely helpful to me long before I was introduced to Jhana practice. I must confess that I never read it methodically, cover to cover, stage by stage. The first thing I did...more... —Sandya Rakefet Bar-Kama, Pardes Hanna, Israel Other reviews here for Focused and Fearless have pointed out a number of its significant strengths as an effective, eminently useful presentation...more... —David Collins, Austin, TX After years of my enjoying various styles of meditation and so many beautiful books on Buddhism, Shaila Catherine and this book have advanced my meditation to entirely new depths....more... —Lisa Benham, San Jose, CA I was taken by the clarity of the directions leading one on the path to the jhanas....more... —Will Lister, Placerville Sangha, Placerville, CA I love this book. I have now read it twice and both times I have learned things. I am going to keep this on my reference shelf. Her great examples and clear writing style really helped me understand. I am eagerly awaiting her next book. —Betty Crowder, Pacific Grove, CA I probably came to Focused and Fearless from a different place than most readers who will pick up the book. I had just begun meditating and, from the little reading I had done, was somewhat wary of concentrated practice...Despite my initial reservations, I found Focused and Fearless extremely helpful and I devoured Shaila’s personal stories....more... —Leslie Knight, New York For those interested in learning about and ultimately attaining the jhanas, particularly as based in the Abhidhamma, Focused and Fearless is an indispensable read. Those new to this practice will find Shaila’s descriptions ...more... —David Blatte, Nevada City, CA I came to Shaila's book after 15-plus years of daily Buddhist meditation and I have to say that using this book is transforming my practice in ways I would never have imagined. ...more... —Mary Leigh Burke, Mountain View, CA Shaila Catherine explains exactly what to look for, what to do, how to do it, and why.....with no added fluff. This book has helped mature my practice from years of a loosey, goosey, "bring your attention to the breath then gently bring it back when it wanders" kind of thing to one of true intention and focus. I now clearly discern three qualities of concentration. I see a...more... —William McRae, Austin, TX This book is one I have read twice and expect to read again. The second read was in preparation for retreat and I found it helped immensely in making the transition between a busy life and a silent retreat center. I have found it equally helpful to use in recalibrating my...more... —Mary Roy, Seattle, WA Also see Shaila's other book: Wisdom Wide and Deep |
ISBN-13: 978-0-86171-560-2 Inside the bookIntroduction: From Focused Concentration to Fearless Awakening Book Reviewsby Santikaro Buy Both of Shaila's Books at Discount
Author EventsFocused and Fearless
Wisdom Wide and DeepShaila on YouTubeAvailable on YouTube, Shaila speaks of her book and Jhana at length, May 14, 2008 Retreats with ShailaConcentration, Jhana, and Insight Retreats Signed CopiesBooks are available direct from the author for shipping within the USA. If you would like it signed by the author, please include a note clearly spelling the name you would like the inscription addressed to. Bodhi-Retreats Review This Book
To submit a short review of Focused and Fearless, please send the review along with your full name and location (city and state) to reviews Questions?
Contact books |
imsb.org