Additional information
by David C. Johnson (Author)
A complete guide to the practice of meditation for the attainment of Nibbana, the highest goal. Latest Edition with added chapters that dive deeper into more profound levels of mind than any other other book published on meditation. New summary of progress and instructions chapter added for 2021 and a final version for 2023 with added updates and student testimonials.
"Wow! Got your book. It is a major contribution. What is Nibbana? What is the actual experience and how to achieve it... is in this book." TS-Springfield, MO. Based on the earliest Buddhist Texts with information from the original suttas never discussed before. Can you attain NIbbana in this lifetime? This book definitely says yes, but only if you add back in the step that is left out of other methods. And only if you follow the method laid out by the Buddha in his earliest teachings. Nibbana can and does happen with practice - and in this book you will be shown the step by step progression through the eight aware jhanas (levels of understanding) to the final cessation and the appearing of the unconditioned (Nibbana); and the incredible joy that arises afterward. It will give you the instructions on how to practice - even at home at your own pace.This is a complete meditation handbook with all the instructions to achieve the goal and all of the levels of knowledge along the way. Now integrates the full text of "A Guide to Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM)," with detailed instructions, into the front section - also includes the full text of "A Guide to Forgiveness Meditation" as an appendix. Three books in one.
You will learn a different definition for Mindfulness that totally changes how you practice; and about a step in the text that has been left out of contemporary practices that is the key to the deepest levels of tranquility.
Learn the basics of Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM) which is really the practice of Loving-kindness and the Brahmaviharas from the earliest Buddhist texts: The Majjhima Nikaya and the Samyutta Nikaya. This book will guide you from the beginning stages to the highest attainments laid out clearly and concisely. Many previous students' experiences have been compiled and researched to create the basis for this book.
Additionally, other popular methods are compared here against the suttas to see if they match the Buddha's teachings and lead you to the enlightenment.
David Johnson wrote this book based on his insights as a senior student under Bhante Vimalaramsi, a 30-year monk living in the forests of Missouri. He came from a career in Silicon Valley to learn and study TWIM for the past seven years at the Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center near St. Louis. He currently teaches Online Retreats and authored "A Guide to Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation" along with Bhante, which is the detailed beginning instructions for TWIM Loving-kindness practice.
Chapters:
Chapter One - What Is Buddhism?: This chapter explores Buddhism as a supra-mundane science, the concept of awakening both mind and body, and the principle of Dependent Origination.
Chapter Two - Mindfulness Re-Defined: This section redefines mindfulness, discusses the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, and differentiates feelings from emotions.
Chapter Three - What Is a Jhāna?: The chapter details different types of Jhānas (meditative absorptions), focusing on concentration absorption Jhāna and the Tranquil Aware Jhāna.
Chapter Four - Types of Concentration Practice: This part compares Aware and Concentration Jhāna, providing insight into different concentration practices.
Chapter Five - Beginning Practice: Here, a summary of meditation instructions is presented, marking the start of practical guidance.
Chapter Six- 13 ...Jhanas & NibbanaAuthor Biography
David has been practicing meditation for 40+ years and is a senior resident at the Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center. He has taken many insight and mindfulness retreats and now conducts TWIM retreats using this book's instructions. He teaches Online Lovingkindness Retreats using the Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM) approach based on the earliest Buddhist teachings. He assists Bhante Vimalaramsi with his meditation retreats and has heard hundreds of student interviews and this is part of the basis for this fascinating new book.
