#17 - Leigh Brasington: the jhanas and buddhist philosophy

Leigh Brasington is a meditation teacher in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition and the author of Right Concentration: A Practical Guide to the Jhānas. He was authorized to teach by Ayya Khema and is known for his deep knowledge of jhāna practice and insight meditation.

We talk about altered states of concentration, awakening without dogma, what it feels like to perceive without ego, and how practice transforms life. Topics are outlined in the timestamps below.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Timestamps

00:00 – Intro

02:37 – Seeing reality beyond the ego

05:15 – Learning the jhānas with Ayya Khema

07:53 – Insight that follows deep concentration

10:31 – What real meditation absorption feels like

13:09 – Leigh’s critique of lighter jhāna methods

15:47 – Retreat environments and access to jhānas

18:25 – Teaching online vs in-person

21:03 – What helps students succeed

23:41 – Stories from students’ breakthroughs

26:18 – Is jhāna possible for everyone?

28:56 – Why we procrastinate on practice

31:34 – Insight meditation and Satipaṭṭhāna

34:12 – How meditation shapes happiness

36:50 – Is full awakening really possible?

39:28 – Letting go of the sense of self

42:06 – Dependent origination explained

44:44 – Emptiness and early perception

47:22 – Final reflections and recommended books

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