Buddhist Geeks

Author Biography:

Stephen began practicing Buddhist meditation in 1976 at the age of 19, and has had a daily meditation practice from that time on. He practiced for 20 years with several Western Zen masters. He participated in more than 50 retreats, receiving several ordinations. His primary practices over the years have been Zen, the Tibetan Dzogchen Rigpa practice, and the Theravadan Jhanas. He has been a practicing lawyer for more than 20 years, also serving as an advisor to a number of Buddhist and spiritual teachers.

Stephen attended the two-month retreat with Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw in 2005. He completed the entire Samatha path as presented by Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw, becoming first American male to complete this attainment. Stephen is the co-author of the book, Practicing the Jhanas, published by Shambhala Publications. Stephen has been authorized to teach by Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw, and works as a spiritual mentor, professional coach, mediator, and lawyer.

Website: www.JhanasAdvice.com

Episode Description:
In this episode we wrap up our discussion with meditation teachers Tina Rasmussen and Stephen Snyder, two of the only lay Western teachers authorized to teach the jhana system of Pa Auk Sayadaw. They share the deeper purpose of concentration practice, which isn’t to attain any particular states, but rather is to serve as a purification of the mind stream, what they describe as the “thinning of the me.”
They describe the 8 jhanas as states that progressively reach toward the unconditioned, with the 8th jhana, neither perception nor non-perception, as a realm that is as close as [...]

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Episode Description:
This week we speak with Theravada mediation teachers Tina Rasmussen and Stephen Snyder. In 2005, while on a 2-month retreat, they were the first Western lay practitioners (i.e. non-monks) to complete the traditional concentration practices of Pa Auk Sayadaw–a well-regarded Burmese jhana master. The Sayadaw encouraged them to teach what they’ve learned, and they have, as a result, starting leading retreats and have written a book entitled, Practicing the Jhanas.
In this episode they share the progressive practice that they did with Pa Auk Sayadaw, which includes all sorts of traditional practices from the Pali Canon. They [...]

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