Anapanasati Sutta Study Group – Study Guide

Core texts: Larry Rosenberg, “Breath by Breath – The Liberating Practice of Insight Meditation”, Shambhala Publications, 1998. (215 pp., $13.95)

Larry Rosenberg, ”Three Steps to Awakening—A Practice for Bringing Mindfulness to Life”, Shambhala Publications, 2013. (156 pp. $15.95)

Thich Nhat Hanh, “Breathe, You Are Alive,” Rider, 1988. (68 pp., $8.00)

Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, “Mindfulness with Breath—A Manual for Serious Beginners,” Wisdom Publications, 1988. (158 pp., $16.95)

Supplementary Texts: Will Johnson, “Breathing through the Whole Body—The Buddha’s Instructions on Integrating Mind, Body and Breath,” Inner Traditions, 2012. (86 pp., $12.95)

Thanissaro Bhikkhu, “Right Mindfulness,” (178 pp., free)

Buddhadasa, “Anapanasati (Mindfulness of Breathing)” (550 pp., free)

Leigh Brasington, “RightConcentrationA Practical Guide to the Jhānas,” Shambhala Publications, 2015. (237 pp., $18.95)

Suggested Recorded Dharma Talks: Talks are listed under each session.

At a minimum, participants should read the chapters from the core texts prior to each session.

Session One, October 18, 2015Overview

Core Readings: Rosenberg, “Breath by Breath,” Introduction

Rosenberg, “Three Steps to Awakening,” Introduction and Kalama Sutta.

Buddhadasa, “Mindfulness with Breathing,” Chapters 1 & 2

Thich Nhat Hanh, “Breathe, You Are Alive,” Entire Book

Supplementary Readings: Johnson, “Breathing Through the Whole Body,” Entire Book.

Dharma Talks: Thanissaro Bikkhu, “The Breath All the Way (Anapanasati),”

Andrea Fella, “Whole Body Breathing Discussion,” November 27, 2012

Gil Fronsdal, “Anapanasati Sutta,” May 4, 2003,

Gil Fronsdal, “Non-clinging, Anapanasati,” January 29, 2014,

Session Two, November 22, 2015 First Tetrad (Body)

Core Readings: Rosenberg, “Breath by Breath,” Chapter 1

Rosenberg, “Three Steps to Awakening,” Chapter 1

Buddhadasa, “Mindfulness with Breathing,” Chapters 3 & 4

Supplementary Readings: Buddhadasa, “Anapanasati,” Chapter IV & XII.

Dharma Talks: Gil Fronsdal, “Mindfulness of Breathing: First Tetrad,” October 21, 2013,

Gil Fronsdal, “Anapanasati: First Tetrad (1 of 10),” October 12, 2007,

Gil Fronsdal, “Anapanasati: Simply Knowing the Breath (3 of 10),” October 12, 2007,

Gil Fronsdal, “Anapanasati: Calming Bodily Formations (4 of 10),” October 12, 2007,

Session Three, December 20, 2015 Second Tetrad (Feelings) and Third Tetrad (Mind)

Core Readings: Rosenberg, “Breath by Breath,” Chapter 2 & 3.

Buddhadasa, “Mindfulness with Breath,” Chapter 5 & 6.

Supplementary Readings: Brasington, “Right Mindfulness,” Chapter 8.

Buddhadasa, “Anapanasati,” Chapter XIII. - XV

Thanissaro Bhikkhu, “Right Mindfulness,” Appendix 3

Dharma Talks: Gil Fronsdal, “Anapanasati: Second Tetrad First Jhana (7 of 10),” October 12, 2007,

Gil Fronsdal, “Anapanasati: Second Jhana (10 of 10),” October 12, 2007,

Richard Shankman, “Mindfulness of Breathing: Second Tetrad,” October 22, 2013,

Gil Fronsdal, “Mindfulness of Breathing: third Tetrad,“ October 23, 2013.

Session Four, January 17, 2016 Fourth Tetrad (Wisdom)

Core Readings: Rosenberg, “Breath by Breath,” Chapter 4.

Buddhadasa, “Mindfulness with Breath,” Chapter 7

Supplementary Readings: Buddhadasa, “Anapanasati,” Chapter XVI

Thanissaro Bhikkhu, “Right Mindfulness,” Chapters 6 & 7.

Dharma Talks: Richard Shankman, “Mindfulness of Breathing: Fourth Tetrad,” October 24, 2013,

Gil Fronsdal, “Overview of 16 Anapanasati practices,” October 25, 2013,

Session Five, February 21, 2016 Condensed Method

Core Readings: Rosenberg, “Breath by Breath,” Chapter 5.

Rosenberg, “Three Steps to Awakening,” Chapters 2 & 3.

Buddhadasa, Mindfulness with Breath , “Translator’s Conclusion”

Supplementary Readings:

Dharma Talks: Rosenberg, “The Way Of The Breath - Anapanasati as a complete meditation practice #3,” 2011-07-20,

Rosenberg, “The Way Of The Breath - Anapanasati as a complete meditation practice. #4,” 2011-07-21,

Session Six, March 20, 2016 Breathing in Everyday Life

Core Readings: Rosenberg, “Breath by Breath,” Chapter 6.

Rosenberg, “Three Steps to Awakening,” Chapters 4 & 5

Buddhadasa, “Mindfulness with Breath,” Chapter 8

Supplementary Readings:

Dharma Talks: Rosenberg, “The Way Of The Breath - Anapanasati as a complete meditation practice.#5,” 2011-07-22,

Rosenberg, “The Way Of The Breath - Anapanasati as a complete meditation practice #7,” 2011-07-24,