Satipatthana: The Direct Path to Realization – Bhikkhu Analayo

This book is perhaps the best starting point for anyone wishing to learn more about the practice of sati, often translated as mindfulness.

Bhikkhu Analayo combines his own doctoral research and experience with mindfulness meditation and places it in the context of Theravāda Buddhism.

It is a very detailed account of a difficult subject. The book begins with a fine translation of the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta and then proceeds step by step through the sutta to explain each part in detail.

Of particular interest is the chapter on the importance of concentration. The Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta is often quoted as vipassanā meditation, i.e. insight meditation requiring no prior development of concentration. In this chapter, however, Bhikkhu Analayo describes that concentration (samādhi) is assumed in sutta to be present within the practitionar of satipaṭṭhāna. He then describes how, according to the Pali Canon, samatha (calmness) and vipassanā (insight) should be developed together, whereby samatha does not need to be developed into the jhānas (very high levels of concentration), but is an indispensable part of the Buddhist way.

This is very similar to teaching of Ahba, who emphasizes samatha at the beginning so that the mind becomes pure and clear and wisdom (panna) comes easily and naturally along in its wake.