Ep18: The Jhanas - Leigh Brasington
In this episode I am joined by Leigh Brasington, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of ‘Right Concentration, A Practical Guide to the Jhanas’.
Leigh talked about how he transformed from a self described pot-head to a serious meditation practitioner in his very first retreat.
We learn how learning the jhanas – 8 altered states of consciousness, brought on by deep meditative concentration – from meditation master Ayya Khema radically changed his life’s direction.
We discuss stream entry for non-monastics, why most people underestimate their meditation potential, Leigh’s controversial take on Western Dharma teachers who claim full awakening, and why the Siddhis, or supernormal powers, are so associated with the practice of jhanas.
Topics Include:
00:00 - Intro
00:21 – How Leigh first became interested in meditation
00:57 – Chögyam Trungpa, Ayya Khema, and Leigh’s first meditation retreat
02:20 – Pot head to yogi – giving up heavy pot use after the retreat
03:01 – Buddhist practice vs Buddhist religion
04:25 – How Leigh quit pot
05:05 – Ayya Khema, Leigh’s first teacher
06:48 – The importance of following instructions closely
09:03 – Discovering the first jhana in Thailand with Ajahn Buddhadasa
11:16 – Further studies and learning all 8 jhanas from Ayya Khema
12:46 – Insight training with Ayya Khema
15:25 – Did Ayya Khema use the 4 Path Model?
20:20 – Leigh on Stream Entry and gradual vs sudden awakening
23:46 – Is awakening achievable by non-monastics?
25:38 – Leigh’s controversial take on Western Dharma teachers who claim full awakening
27:52 – Sutta criteria for an arhat
30:45 – Did Ayya Khema become an arhat before her death?
32:45 – Learning Rigpa practice from Tsoknyi Rinpoche
37:19 – How Leigh uses the rigpa state in his own practice
40:51 – Comparisons between Tummo and the Jhana practices
44:14 – What are the jhanas and how are they practiced?
51:23 – Are the jhanas necessary for insight practice?
54:33 – Surprising obstacles to learning the jhanas and the role of talent.
1:01:16 – Why most people underestimate their concentration potential.
1:03:38 – The role of lifestyle and sexuality in meditation success
1:08:47 – Leigh’s take on the Siddhis, supernormal powers, achieved through concentration practice
1:16:53 – Considering anecdotes about the siddhis of teachers like Guru Ma and 16th Karmapa
1:18:45 – The current frontiers of Leigh’s personal practice
1:25:41 – The Buddha’s most important teaching
1:27:51 – Nagajuna and the Suttas
To find out more about Leigh, visit: http://leighb.com
For Leigh’s book, ‘Right Concentration’, visit: http://rc.leighb.com/index.html
Music: ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James