Tricycle Talks Sarah Shaw on the Jhanas and Awakening through Joy
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Aug 10, 2022 In this enlightening conversation, Sarah Shaw, a lecturer at the University of Oxford and editor of Lance Cousins' influential work, dives into the world of Buddhist meditation. She reveals fascinating insights about the jhanas, emphasizing their role in achieving inner peace and mindfulness. Shaw passionately discusses the overlooked importance of joy in meditation, likening it to a crucial ingredient that enriches spiritual practice. Additionally, she explores the harmony between Samatha and Vipassana meditation, shedding light on their complementary benefits.
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Discovering Cousins' Book
- Sarah Shaw met Lance Cousins at a meditation class at Manchester University.
- Cousins' criticism of existing meditation books prompted Shaw to challenge him, leading to the discovery of his manuscript.
Learning Meditation
- Meditation is best learned from living people, not just texts.
- While texts provide a foundation, the lived experience and guidance of a teacher are essential for practice.
Practice Informing Scholarship
- Cousins kept his practice and scholarship separate but his practice subtly informed his work.
- His understanding of meditation terms, like Vitaka and Vichara, was enriched by his practice experience.