Breathing Mindfulness

Discovering the Riches at the Heart of the Buddhist Path

Author Sarah Shaw
Ebook
On sale May 13, 2025 | 352 Pages | 9780834846036

See Additional Formats
Explore the life-changing practice of ānāpānasati, or breathing mindfulness—one of the most popular and foundational Buddhist meditation practices.

Whether you practice vipassana, samatha, or any type of practice that develops concentration, this book will be a revelation. “Breathing mindfulness” meditation is a cornerstone of Buddhist practice, believed to be key to the Buddha’s own enlightenment. This powerful technique fosters a harmonious blend of awareness and tranquility, guiding practitioners toward profound meditative states and deeper wisdom. Yet, even among those who practice one strand or another of this practice, there is a treasure trove of variety and richness to discover.

Oxford University scholar and practitioner Sarah Shaw guides readers through the history and contemporary interpretations of breathing mindfulness, emphasizing the Pali or Southern tradition of Buddhism. In this in-depth study, she examines:


  • The Ānāpānasati Sutta, the foundational Buddhist text on breathing mindfulness;
  • The systematization of the practice through the commentarial texts like Vimuttimagga (The Path to Freedom) and Visuddhimagga (The Path of Purification);
  • Intriguing, lesser-known systems of esoteric Theravada breath meditation nearly lost to history;
  • The history and variety of the practice within the Thai Forest tradition, looking at key figures including Ajahn Sao, Ajahn Maha Boowa, Ajahn Lee, Ajahn Chah, and Ajahn Thate;
  • Key figures in Myanmar, including Mingun Sayadaw, Sunlun Sayadaw, Webu Sayadaw, Mahasi Sayadaw, and Pa Auk Sayadaw;
  • Other influential innovators like U Ba Khin, S.N. Goenka, Ajahn Buddhadasa, and Ayya Khema;
  • The importance of breath meditation and its complex relationship to the insight meditation (vipassana) movement;
  • And the influence of breathing mindfulness within other Buddhist traditions and beyond, including Indic traditions, Chinese traditions, Zen, Tibetan Buddhism, and more.


Shaw’s exploration reveals the enduring legacy of this practice, from its ancient origins to its contemporary resurgence, and how this might be applicable in your own practice.
DR. SARAH SHAW is a faculty member and tutor at the University of Oxford and a visiting contemplative mentor at Brown University. She has taught and published numerous works on the history and practices of Buddhism, including The Art of Listening: A Guide to the Early Teachings of Buddhism and Mindfulness: Where It Comes From and What It Means.

About

Explore the life-changing practice of ānāpānasati, or breathing mindfulness—one of the most popular and foundational Buddhist meditation practices.

Whether you practice vipassana, samatha, or any type of practice that develops concentration, this book will be a revelation. “Breathing mindfulness” meditation is a cornerstone of Buddhist practice, believed to be key to the Buddha’s own enlightenment. This powerful technique fosters a harmonious blend of awareness and tranquility, guiding practitioners toward profound meditative states and deeper wisdom. Yet, even among those who practice one strand or another of this practice, there is a treasure trove of variety and richness to discover.

Oxford University scholar and practitioner Sarah Shaw guides readers through the history and contemporary interpretations of breathing mindfulness, emphasizing the Pali or Southern tradition of Buddhism. In this in-depth study, she examines:


  • The Ānāpānasati Sutta, the foundational Buddhist text on breathing mindfulness;
  • The systematization of the practice through the commentarial texts like Vimuttimagga (The Path to Freedom) and Visuddhimagga (The Path of Purification);
  • Intriguing, lesser-known systems of esoteric Theravada breath meditation nearly lost to history;
  • The history and variety of the practice within the Thai Forest tradition, looking at key figures including Ajahn Sao, Ajahn Maha Boowa, Ajahn Lee, Ajahn Chah, and Ajahn Thate;
  • Key figures in Myanmar, including Mingun Sayadaw, Sunlun Sayadaw, Webu Sayadaw, Mahasi Sayadaw, and Pa Auk Sayadaw;
  • Other influential innovators like U Ba Khin, S.N. Goenka, Ajahn Buddhadasa, and Ayya Khema;
  • The importance of breath meditation and its complex relationship to the insight meditation (vipassana) movement;
  • And the influence of breathing mindfulness within other Buddhist traditions and beyond, including Indic traditions, Chinese traditions, Zen, Tibetan Buddhism, and more.


Shaw’s exploration reveals the enduring legacy of this practice, from its ancient origins to its contemporary resurgence, and how this might be applicable in your own practice.

Author

DR. SARAH SHAW is a faculty member and tutor at the University of Oxford and a visiting contemplative mentor at Brown University. She has taught and published numerous works on the history and practices of Buddhism, including The Art of Listening: A Guide to the Early Teachings of Buddhism and Mindfulness: Where It Comes From and What It Means.

Three Penguin Random House Authors Win Pulitzer Prizes

On Monday, May 5, three Penguin Random House authors were honored with a Pulitzer Prize. Established in 1917, the Pulitzer Prizes are the most prestigious awards in American letters. To date, PRH has 143 Pulitzer Prize winners, including William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, Josh Steinbeck, Ron Chernow, Anne Applebaum, Colson Whitehead, and many more. Take a look at our 2025 Pulitzer Prize

Read more

Books for LGBTQIA+ Pride Month

In June we celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual + (LGBTQIA+) Pride Month, which honors the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. Pride Month is a time to both celebrate the accomplishments of those in the LGBTQ+ community and recognize the ongoing struggles faced by many across the world who wish to live

Read more