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, senior Dharma Teacher, cofounder of Gaia House, and author of Light on Enlightenment: The Profound and the Profane, and several other books on Buddhism 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. 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, Florida 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 |
ISBN-13: 978-0-86171-560-2 Inside the bookIntroduction: From Focused Concentration to Fearless Awakening Book Reviewsby Santikaro Author EventAvailable on YouTube, Shaila speaks of her book and Jhana at length, May 14, 2008 Jhana RetreatsConcentration, Jhana, and Insight Retreats AvailabilityBooks 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. Shaila Catherine Focused and Fearless can also be purchased online from Wisdom Publications |
