In this book, Bhikkhu Analayo, scholar and meditation teacher, examines central aspects of Buddhist meditation as reflected in the early discourses of the Buddha, based on revised and reorganized material from previously published articles. The main topics he takes up are mindfulness, the path to awakening, absorption, and the brahmaviharas. He compares parallel versions of the discourses in a variety of languages which offers a window on the earliest stages in the development of these Buddhist teachings.

"This book is a joy to read! It offers a pragmatic and accessible analysis of the role of mindfulness, tranquility, and the brahmaviharas in the early discourses of the Buddha." Shaila Catherine

"This book is a dharma treasure of scholarship and discernment, opening up new possibilities for our own practice and realization." Joseph Goldstein

"Readers will find this a fascinating and thought-provoking book that informs, illuminates, and challenges. It is a rich resource that enables both scholars and meditators to reflect more deeply on issues relating to meditation in early Buddhism."
Peter Harvey