Jhanas, Technology, and Tradition with Stephen Zerfas
May 1, 2024
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Entrepreneur and meditator Stephen Zerfas discusses using technology to enhance learning of Jhanas, his background in meditation and jhana practice, and scaling jhanas globally. They delve into his journey, training with jhana teachers, and the fusion of technology and tradition in meditation practice.
Stephen Zirfas discovered Jhanas through personal experimentation post-silent retreat, driven by potential life-changing effects on well-being.
Zirfas emphasizes the importance of modern tools and technologies to democratize access to profound mental states for all.
Deep dives
Stephen Zirfas' Journey into Meditation and the Discovery of Jhanas
Stephen Zirfas recounts his transformative journey into meditation, starting with a challenging mental health phase that led him to a ten-day silent retreat. Through personal experiments post-retreat, he discovered altered states akin to the Jhanas. Inspired by Lee Brazington's book, he delved deeper into understanding and replicating these states, driven by the potential for life-changing effects on well-being and focus.
The Quest for Scaling Meditation Practices and Jhanas Accessibility
Motivated by the desire to scale meditation states like Jhanas to millions, Stephen Zirfas explores the historical context and challenges of widespread meditation adoption. He emphasizes the need for modern tools and technologies to break the barriers to verifying and teaching advanced meditation states, aiming to democratize access to profound mental states for all.
Innovative Teaching Approaches and Community Dynamics in Jhana Retreats
Stephen Zirfas highlights unique teaching philosophies in Jhana retreats, focusing on agency through experimentation, curiosity, and playfulness. By blending top-down pedagogy with bottom-up neural priming techniques and fostering a sense of community, the retreats aim to create an inclusive and supportive environment for participants to explore and experience Jhanas.
Future Vision: Tens of Millions Practicing Jhanas and Meditation
Envisioning a world where tens of millions practice Jhanas, Stephen Zirfas outlines a bold vision for the widespread adoption of advanced meditation states. With a focus on increasing awareness and accessibility, he sees the potential for Jhanas to reach hundreds of millions, fueled by advancements in teaching methodologies, tech-driven biofeedback, and transformative meditation experiences for all.
Host Michael Taft speaks with entrepreneur and meditator Stephen Zerfas on using technology to potentially enhance the learning of the jhanas, Zerfas’ background in meditation and jhana practice, and the vision of scaling adoption of the jhanas on a global scale.
Stephen Zerfas a cofounder of Jhourney, a startup that is currently creatings meditation retreats using novel methods to teach novices to reach jhana. Stephen stumbled into the first three jhanas on his own, and has dedicated his career to scaling them after learning of their rich history. He's trained with several jhana teachers, including Leigh Brasington and Delson Armstrong.