REGISTER: TBD
NEXT COURSE: TBD
PREVIOUSLY OFFERED: Oct – Dec, 2019
In this advanced concentration course, we will dive deeply into the experience of the absorption states of jhāna. We’ll give careful attention to the four jhānas, using the breath as the primary initial meditation object. First we’ll examine the qualities, functions, and features of the four jhānas. Then the focus will shift to issues related to recognizing the meditation object known as the nimitta, identifying common errors that prevent absorption, exploring the formless perceptions, and gaining the masteries. This online classroom will address some advanced topics, so it is intended for participants who already have an established meditation practice and are interested in deepening their concentration.
WHAT TO EXPECT
This online course includes:
- recorded lectures
- reading assignments
- sutta study
- guided meditations
- peer led discussion forums
- optional audio conferences with Shaila Catherine
Daily meditation practice is strongly encouraged.
PREREQUISITE FOR ENROLLMENT
This is an advanced course, for which attainment of jhana is not required. This course builds upon the material addressed in previous Bodhi Courses. Exploring The Jhana States is ideally designed for students who are already somewhat familiar with Shaila’s teachings on jhana by having attended a previous online Bodhi Course or retreat with Shaila, or by having read her books. Nevertheless, we welcome newcomers who are mature practitioners, with prior retreat experience, and an established meditation practice.
Practitioners who emphasize mindfulness and insight are very welcome, however, one goal for this course is to facilitate dialog among students who emphasize concentration in their dhamma practice. Students who are currently practicing concentration with other systems or teachers are welcome to join us, but should understand that this course is built around Shaila’s two books: Focused and Fearless, and Wisdom Wide and Deep. This is not a forum to compare methods or invoke outside teachers in classroom discussions.
Two Required Texts
Focused and Fearless: A Meditator’s Guide to States of Deep Joy, Calm and Clarity
by Shaila Catherine
Wisdom Publications, 2008
Wisdom Wide and Deep: A Practical Handbook for Mastering Jhāna and Vipassanā
by Shaila Catherine
Wisdom Publications, 2011
A computer with dependable internet access and a browser, and standard (freely available) software for listening to audio files and viewing PDF documents.
A mobile app for Moodle courseware is also available for those who prefer to access the course via a mobile device.
Yes, both. Shaila Catherine will offer several opportunities for optional live audio conferences. These sessions are optional and open to all class participants, and recordings are later made available within the course. These large group conference calls may include reflections on the lesson topic, questions and answers about applying course topics to your meditation practice, or the study of a sutta. Practical questions and comments related to meditation and the course materials are invited. However, Shaila is not available outside these large group calls for individual inquiries or practice guidance.
Students will also interact through the written discussion forums. Shaila reviews the written forums to draw out themes for the audio conferences, but she will rarely add a post directly. The written forums are intended to be a space for peer-to-peer discussions; they are moderated by a team of wise, skilled discussion leaders who help guide the forum discussions toward in-depth and practical explorations of the course themes.
Bodhi Courses is planned and designed for people with busy schedules and every-day demands. The self-paced learning modules offer flexibility for completing assignments. Internet access is needed, but if you have a mobile device or internet access while traveling, your participation can continue without interruption. Audio talks are streamed, not downloadable.
The course is entirely online, and includes recorded lectures and guided meditation instructions, readings, sutta study, discussion forums, a library of resources, and optional live audio or video conferences with Shaila Catherine.
Contact: bcregistration
The assignments will likely require about 3 hours per week, depending on your level of interest and inquiry. Each learning module will span 7-14 days, and during that designated period, you may work at your own pace. Daily meditation practice is strongly encouraged.
No. The course is hosted on Moodle, which is courseware widely used by schools, universities, and various learning programs worldwide. Moodle is compatible with both PC and Mac. Moodle is browser-based, requiring no downloads or installations. For mobile devices, the Moodle moblie app is available for (free) download.
Optional live audio or video conferences with Shaila Catherine may be accessed by either computer or phone. Details will be provided in the course.
The sliding scale registration fee is the only payment made to Bodhi Courses. In addition you will need to purchase the required course book(s) from your favorite book supplier or borrow from a library.
Our lectures and guided meditations are streamed, not downloadable. Depending upon the service contract with your internet provider you may incur data charges to listen to the lectures.
We design our recorded lectures, guided meditations, and conference calls to function within the context of a structured course, and therefore we do not make them available for downloading or use outside the course. We envision this to be a classroom experience that is limited in time to the specified course period. We do not offer permanent access or personal possession of the talks, guided meditations, or recordings.
We do, however, provide the following support for enrolled participants: during each 2-3 month course period, the completed course modules remain available and students can review material from earlier modules throughout the duration of the course. We also keep our courses available for a few weeks after the closing date. The number of weeks varies and depends upon how much time our volunteers need to prepare for the next Bodhi Course. Usually the material is available for 3-4 weeks after the course ends, and we announce the final date within the course. This extension offers extra time for students to review the material or catch up if they fell behind. After this period for review, the material will no longer be available and access to the course will be denied.
The registration fee covers participation in the course, but does not include books. Additional donations (dana) for the teacher is welcome and encouraged.
Donations may be offered through our Teacher Support Page.
Registration fees are non-refundable. In the case of cancellations that occur at least 14 days prior to the course start date, Bodhi Courses will credit the amount above half the low end of the sliding scale towards a future course. Voucher credits expire in one year.
This course is intended for meditators who have a well established mindfulness-based practice and wish to deepen their concentration meditation.
Yes, there are prerequisite requirements for participation in this course. Participants should have an established mindfulness based meditation practice. This course also has the additional prerequisite of having previously attended either a retreat with Shaila Catherine or an online Bodhi Courses program.
If you do not meet these criteria but feel you would benefit from the course, you may request permission from the registrar, describing your practice background and reason for your interest in this course.
The learning goals for this course are:
- Engage in meditation practices that lead to the absorption states of jhāna.
- Learn to recognize the specific qualities that characterize each of the four jhanas and four formless states.
- Clarify misunderstandings, avoid common errors, and consider controversies that surround contemporary jhāna trainings.
- Learn skill with meditation objects, how to stabilize the samādhi nimitta, and master each jhāna state.
- Cultivate a supportive online community with meditators who are working with the book Focused and Fearless to deepen their concentration.
Yes. Focused and Fearless by Shaila Catherine (Wisdom Publications, 2008), is required. You will need a personal copy.
There will be sutta readings from the Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikaya by Bhikkhu Bodhi (Wisdom Publications), the Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Anguttara Nikaya by Bhikkhu Bodhi (Wisdom Publications), and also from the Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya by Bhikkhu Bodhi (Wisdom Publications). You may use personal copies of these texts if you wish, or alternatively, you may choose to rely on the copies provided within the course modules.
COST: Sliding Scale
$550 to $170
Please consider offering generously within your means. The lower end of the scale is intended for those with very limited means. If additional scholarship assistance is needed, please contact us. The deadline for scholarship applications is 14 days prior to the date registration closes.
WATCH THE VIDEO INTRO
MEET THE TEACHER
Shaila Catherine
Shaila Catherine
