The Virtual Sangha for Practitioners of Meditative Absorption and Insight is a primarily Buddhist forum to discuss the practice of meditative absorption, known as Jhana in Pali and Dhyana in Sanskrit, and its relationship to revealing transcendent Insight, known as Vipassana or Vipasyana, for the ultimate purpose of Awakening.
 
In the Pali Suttas, the canonical body containing the Buddha's teachings, we find frequent reference to the jhanas, although many modern Theravadin teachers do not emphasize jhana practice as essential to awakening. These states are discussed at length in the Theravadin Buddhist commentaries, the Visuddhimagga and Vimuttimagga, in the Tibetan Buddhist Lam Rim, and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Historical evidence and living tradition tell us that these practices have long been revered and cultivated by Buddhist yogis of all traditions.
 
The Jhana states of consciousness can be experienced by cultivating meditative concentration, or Samadhi, which in turn leads to the development of tranquility, or Samatha. The practice of Samadhi constitutes the eighth aspect of the Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path. We also recognize that Right Concentration is only one eighth of this path and encourage practice and discussion of the other limbs as well, most especially Right Effort and Right Mindfulness (Sati) as they relate to meditation practice. 
 
We welcome the input of yogis from all traditions with regard to the systematic cultivation of Samadhi and Sati for the achievement of Samatha and Vipassana.  The members of this board understand the value of mutual support and guidance for the development of absorption and insight. Inevitably, debates and differences of opinion will arise when discussing these questions. Please be civil and refrain from personal attacks or sarcasm when you disagree with someone. Remember that the purpose of this board is to offer each other support. In other words, please practice Right Speech.