Mindfulness of Breathing

by Anālayo

Buddhist scholar and teacher Bhikkhu Anālayo explores the practice of mindfulness of breathing in the sixteen steps of the Ānāpānasati Sutta. This is an authoritative, practice-orientated elucidation of a foundational Buddhist text, useful to meditators whatever their tradition or background.

In the first six chapters Anālayo presents practical instructions comparable to his Satipatthāna Meditation: A Practice Guide. The remaining chapters contain his translations of extracts from the early Chinese canon. With his accompanying commentary, these help the practitioner appreciate the early Buddhist perspective on the breath and the practice of mindfulness of breathing.

Anālayo presents his understanding of these early teachings, arising from his own meditation practice and teaching experience. His aim is to inspire all practitioners to use what he has found helpful to build their own practice and become self-reliant.

The book is accompanied with freely downloadable audio files offering guided and progressive meditation instructions from the author.

Genres: Buddhism, Meditation, Spirituality

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2019

About the author

Ven. Anālayo, born in 1962, was ordained a Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka in 1995, completing his Ph.D. on satipaṭṭhāna at the University of Peradeniya in 2000. He is a contributor to the Encyclopaedia of Buddhism.

Reviews

[Ihor Kolesnyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Дуже лаконічна за змістом і технічна книга про практику уважності до дихання. Базові рекомендації із опорою на класичні тексти. Рекомендую усім, хто хоче розпочати знайомство із буддійськими традиційними практиками дихання.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is in part a practice manual and study of the Ānāpānasati-sutta and part exposition of the translation of four Chinese Āgamas as related to the practice. Anālayo does a great job tying the four tetrads and their lines to the four satipațțhānas, the seven factors of awakening, the five aggregates and to knowledge and liberation in terms of impermanence, dispassion, cessation and letting go. It makes the practice a complete practice. It is nevertheless also a scholarly work and so is often repetitive. However, that is to be expected given the subject. While it is an excellent practice guide, it is not a beginner’s manual. It nicely ends with an appropriate injunction to keep in mind: You should train yourselves!

[Hendy Hanusin]

good

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is for me personally not as "fun" reading as his other books, like the Satipatthana series for example. As the author mentions a couple of times in this book, mindfulness of breathing is not for beginner who just wants to start meditation in this life.

For me part of the difficulties in understanding this book lies in the first part of the book, specifically regarding the different approach of Bhante and my own practice of the second and third tetrad. Since I practice nowadays in the Pa-Auk Sayadaw tradition, in which joy and happiness (piti and sukkha) are naturally present in jhanas, so as far as I am concerned it doesn't need much elaboration or explanation. This makes me somehow biased and confused when reading the interpretation of Bhikkhu Analayo.

The fourth tetrad is however interesting. The second part of the book, comparative study of the texts in different tradition (the Agamas) is truly where Bhante shines.

[dB · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in conjunction with a course led (indirectly) by Venerable Anālayo that I took at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies recently. It's hard to say whether I would have had the clarity had I only read the book without weekly discussions. Nonetheless, the first six chapters are filled with so much detail and insight that I have plenty of years of practice ahead of me for Mindfulness of Breathing meditation alone. I once attempted this meditation after reading another scholar's translation, and without any explanation. I gave up pretty quickly. It seems like a simple meditation but it is so rich and nuanced.

The final four chapters where Anālayo reviews connections to this practice with translations of Chinese Buddhist texts is also fascinating, and provides further context for one's practice.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's meant more of a scholarly book, so for those who really want to apply it more deeply it's better not to read this and go on something more straightforward. It can feel like there's too much information but it's a 5 star for its purpose of providing all the raw information. Only recommend for someone who wants to do extra reading, after all Analayo is a scholar

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rigorous practice guide for serious meditators. If you want a deep understanding of the Ananpanasati Sutta, Analayo makes for a great guide. A true gift.

[isaac lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I will be rereading over and over