Orlando Insight Meditation Group

A Contemporary Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation Community For Central Florida

Reviewing the Anapanasati Sutta’s 16 Stanzas

by | Mar 9, 2023 | Listen to Dharma Talks

This talk focuses on reviewing the 16 stanzas of the Anapanasati Sutta, one of the core teachings of Buddhism.  The stanzas are typically organized into four tetrads, which mirror the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, another key Buddhist discourse.  The talk of March 1, 2023 reviewed how the practice of anapanasati, mindfulness of breathing meditation, restructures important neural pathways in the brain, supporting the process of Awakening, and this presentation is intended to complement that talk. There are several references within this talk from an important book on the subject: “Mindfulness of Breathing–a practice guide and translations” by Bhikkhu Analayo, a contemporary authority on this topic.

Here are the notes prepared for this talk:  Anapanasati 16 Steps Review

Here is a translation of the Anapanasati Sutta by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, another respected scholar/monk:  Anapanasati-Thanissaru Bhikkhu

The talk planned for next week will provide an opportunity for another of our teachers, Lezlie Laws, to review a residential retreat she attended that integrated intensive hatha yoga practice with mindfulness of breathing meditation.

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Reviewing The Anapanasati Sutta January 9 2019

by | Jan 10, 2019 | Listen to Dharma Talks

This is the first of a series of talks about the Anapanasati Sutta, the Mindfulness of Breathing Discourse, MN118.  Mindfulness of breathing is reportedly the meditation practice that Siddhattha Gotama used in achieving Awakening to become the Buddha over 25 centuries ago.  It remains the most widely practiced meditation in the Buddhist traditions.  During this talk, Peter described the setting and structure of the Sutta which contains 16 steps or stages leading to Awakening.  Future talks will focus more deeply into each of the 16 steps, emphasizing ways of understanding and applying each of the steps while meditating.

The explanation was followed by discussion among various participants who had some retreat practice regarding mindfulness of breathing, noting what they were able to experience.

Here are the notes prepared for the talk:  The Anapanasati Teachings

Here is a copy of the Anapanasati Sutta translated by Gil Fronsdal:  Anapanasati Sutta Fronsdal

Next week’s talk will cover Steps 1-4 of the 16 mentioned in the Sutta.

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