The Path to Nibbana: How Mindfulness of Loving-Kindness Progresses through the Tranquil Aware Jhanas to Awakening

by David C. Johnson

Latest Edition with added chapters that dive deeper into the profound levels of mind than any other other book published. New Summary of progress and instructions chapter added for 2021. "Wow! Got your book. It is a major contribution. What is Nibbana? What is the experience and how to achieve it is in this book." Based on the earliest Buddhist Texts with information from the suttas never discussed before.This is a complete meditation handbook with all the instructions to achieve the goal and all of the levels of knowledge along the way. And now includes full text of "A Guide to Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM)" and the full text of "A Guide to Forgiveness Meditation."

You will learn a different definition for Mindfulness that totally changes how you practice; and about a step in the text that has been left out of contemporary practices that is the key to the deepest levels of tranquility.

Learn the basics of Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM) which is really the practice of Loving-kindness and the Brahmaviharas from the earliest Buddhist The Majjhima Nikaya and the Samyutta Nikaya. This book will guide you from the beginning stages to the highest attainments laid out clearly and concisely. Many previous students’ experiences have been compiled and researched to create the basis for this book.

Additionally, other popular methods are compared here against the suttas to see if they match the Buddha's teachings and lead you to the enlightenment.

David Johnson wrote this book based on his insights as a senior student under Bhante Vimalaramsi, a 30-year monk living in the forests of Missouri. He came from a career in Silicon Valley to learn and study TWIM for the past seven years at the Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center near St. Louis. He currently teaches Online Retreats and authored “A Guide to Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation” along with Bhante, which is the detailed beginning instructions for TWIM Loving-kindness practice. More information is available at www.thepathtonibbana.com

Genres: Buddhism, Meditation, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Philosophy

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 10, 2017

Reviews

[Juha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Path to Nibbana has very good metta meditation instructions. Reading the book helped me take my meditation practice a large leap forward, as I found that using metta as the meditation object helped calm my mind far faster than by following breathing.

However, every prospective reader should be aware that the book is a very religious one – it holds a strong belief that things written in the suttas are the final truth of the things that cannot be improved upon. The book also spends a lot of time criticising other meditation practices and Buddhist schools for going against its interpretation of the suttas. The last third of the book is reserved for describing the higher attainments, with a lot of focus on documenting which realm you'll be reborn and how many times you'll need to be reborn before reaching Nibbana.

Personally, I'm quite conflicted about Path to Nibbana. I'm not really convinced about the 2/3 of the book describing Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation as practically the only correct way to meditate, or about the book's descriptions of the higher attainments, but the metta instructions really are helpful, and can be easily integrated with, e.g., the meditation instructions found in Culadasa's The Mind Illuminated. I definitely wouldn't recommend Path to Nibbana to anyone as their first meditation book, but for a more experienced meditator looking for more guidance into metta, this book is worth checking out.

[Francisca Villahermosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed and confusing

I have 2+ years meditating and the first parts of the book made all sense to me, been there, done that. Very good and detailed explanation of the experience.
Then the book goes to what i think as "the road ahead", makes sense to me, but I lack the experience or knowledge to confirm the experience presented in the book. It's detailed and confusing at times, but that might be because of my lack of understanding.
I will come back to read it again if, as I travel the road ahead, i find this book to be correct.

[Theodore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, easy read. Writing and grammar is so-so, but I did not mind it. The teacher is an American who has been on retreats with some big names in the tradition: Mahasi Sayadaw, Dipa Ma, Jack Kornfield, and most recently Bhante Vimalaramsi, who recently passed. His teaching center is in Missouri, pretty close to where I live.

The meditation technique is based on the "6R's": recognize, release, relax, resmile, return, and repeat. This is used to get to Jhana, which is 1 of the three ways to reach nirvana according to the author. The subject of the book is the Jhana-path.

The author critiques the Insight-path, and claims his current method (discovered by his teacher Vimalaramsi) of using the 6R's is based on the Buddha's words, and is the most efficient path. The object of meditation is not the breath, but loving-kindness; this is a big difference from other books on the same topic.

He also critiques the deep absorption states endorsed by the Visuddhimagga, Ajahn Brahm, and others. I am not convinced by his arguments against these teachers and methods myself. Some may call this Jhana-light.

Towards the end of the book, he discusses what life is like after some of these big milestones are met, the difference between a Buddha and Arahant, and other topics. It is interesting to me that some of the theological-type claims about the state of Nirvana, being: timeless, incorruptible, whole, etc. (p. 199) sound an awful lot like other spiritual leaders of different traditions. However, he will go on and on reassuring that Buddhism is not a religion, there is no soul, etc etc. at the same time while he talks about rebirth (who is being reborn?), heaven and hell realms, and so on.

Overall I think this is an easy read, and also an enjoyable one.

[Chetan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shook up my world, as someone who has practiced Vipassana ~2 hours a day for the last 6-7 years. I have never come across a book or a teacher that describes the state of Nibbana from the inside, that explains every single step to get there in plain language.

After reading this for the first time, I decided to sign-up for a retreat and give up my previous practice. The Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM) that is taught by Bhante Vimalaramsi and David C. Johnson is based on the discourses of Siddhartha Gautama the Buddha that is found in the Majjhima Nikaya (The Middle Length Discourses). Where the main difference from its contemporaries is that they use Samma Vayama (right effort) just as the Buddha taught it. Which is how to do the work of purifying the mind from all contents that is negative. From a technical aspect, this is done by releasing and relaxing into the tension/the feeling the mind creates to whatever arises. Instead of going at it Mind v Mind, where one tries to think, ignore or push a feeling away. Be it a nivarana (meditation hindrance), anger, stress, sadness, depression, or anything else.

From this kind of harmonious practice, the mind slowly starts relaxing and becomes less active. Adding the meditation object of metta (loving-kindness) helps that process go faster. As the mind quiets down, one enters jhana and subsequently step-by-step climbs up the jhana ladder. To the top, whereupon one attains Nibbana.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is actually a very good guidebook for those on the path of awakening. It contains plenty of Buddhist wisdom combined with practical techniques for attaining deeper and deeper states of awareness. I especially like the focus on loving-kindness mediation then transitioning into longer lasting joy, happiness, tranquility, and equanimity. The audiobook version is great too as it allows one to follow along with the program, ever deepening one's practice while listening. This one's worth spending time studying and coming back to as a reference book. Sure to help bring anybody many incredible highs and more sustainable peace...

[Gordon Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a concise, clearly articulated map of the journey, then this is your book.

David Johnson guides you through the foundational philosophy of why this method has been chosen, explains its provenance, and then takes you step-by-step on the journey, describing what to do, what to expect, and how to handle challenges that come up.

Both a guide and reference tool, this book is the essential written account of the TWIM method of meditation.

[Anne Earney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written guide to the path Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation takes you down. I suspect I would have been skeptical had I not recently experienced much of this path on a retreat at Dhamma Sukha, which is led by Bhante Vimalaramsi and David Johnson. As it is, I have seen first-hand the strength of TWIM and experienced the fantastic results that follow. Highly recommended, and if you can do a retreat, that'd be even better.

[Jon Højlund Arnfred · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like Bhante Vimalaramsi's Life is Meditation; Meditation is Life, I find the writing style of The Path to Nibbāna a bit chaotic. I also find the repeated insistence that "this is the right way" a bit too insisting given the close similarities between TWIM and other vipassanā / satipaṭṭhāna methods of meditation.

When that is said, there is something refreshing about the spelling out of the relaxation step as an important part in dealing with hindrances. And I also buy into the bridging of jhānas and insight, as many of the enlightenment factors are cultivated through jhānas and the practice of brahmavihārās. The book is in my opinion particularly worth reading for the overt descriptions of the higher jhānas.

On a side note, I find part of the characterization of a sotapānna a little troubling. The author states that a sotapānna cannot break the precepts, even if he tries to. But what does that even mean? Assuming we're talking about the 5 standard precepts, how would that unfold? Let's take the precept to abstain from any intoxication. Can a sotapānna not drink a glass of wine at a dinner? Even if he has the intention of doing it. Can he take a sip? Or is it literally physically impossible for him or her to carry out the intention? And if there is too much alcohol in wine, then what about a glass of cider? What about a cup of coffee, which one could argue is a type of intoxicant? What if a bit of wine is added directly into the dish, is it literally physically impossible for him to consume the dish? This behavioural limitation of a sotapānna just seems off. Let's consider the precept not to kill. Does it include an inability to indirect killing, such as when eating meat? Probably not, because the Buddha himself was not a vegetarian. Then what about the killing of a tiger attacking a child, or the killing of insects from driving a car or just plain walking - knowing that doing so could cause the loss of sentient life? Let's take the precept of abstaining from wrong speech. Obviously a sotapānna can become angry and irritated to some extent, since the fetters are not yet entirely removed. But could these emotions really under no circumstance result in wrong speech? To sum up, ultimate restrictions of enlightened people's behaviour should be left aside in my opinion.

It's more likely I believe that the sotapānna would just naturally do his or her utmost to abstain from breaking a precept. Because the person now knows that the karmic loss of doing so would outweigh the worldly gain. The person would also from the outset simply have less impulse to even consider breaking a precept, as actions are now less rooted in an ego-centered view of the world. But this is a new level of adherence to the precepts and morality in general grounded in having walked the path culminating in the experience of nibbāna. It's not a statement about what is ultimately physically possible. Sorry for the rant. It's a fine book :)

[Lydia Vaile · Rating 4 out of 5]

# 👍🏻 What I Liked About It

- It’s very detailed, nicely written, stage-to-stage description of the path
- Many quotes and citations from Suttas directly correlated to narration
- Students' experience as quotations and sharing
- It’s easy to read, engaging and pleasant experience

# 👎🏻 What I Didn't Like About It

- It’s quiet long read, even though it’s very methodical, many parts are repeated over and over again…
- The “One and Only”, - “…Venerable Bhante Vimalaraṁsi and his approved teachers, are the only ones who teach directly from the suttas in this way. Others reference the suttas but don’t follow them precisely. Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation is the actual and correct application of Right Effort.“

# 👨‍🎓 What I’ve Learned

- What the Buddha taught us in his own words from the suttas
- Dependent Origination
- The Definition of Mindfulness
- What is Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM)
- What are the 6 Rs
- Two types of Jhānas: Absorption Jhānas and Aware Jhānas
- The Progress through the Jhānas to Nibbāna
- The Four stages of Sainthood

# 📜 Quotes

“If an alcoholic says they will give up drinking by exercising their willpower, then who is the real self? Is it the one who wants to keep drinking or the one who wants to stop drinking? Which one is the real you?”

“We can choose to live the dream of having a family, a good job and a nice retirement that leads to happiness… It is our choice.”

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful and approachable book explaining how to use the brahmaviharas to enter the jhanas, the TWIM (Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation) method, and the overall path to nibbana. The jhanic states described in this tradition are very light, as they claim you can walk and do daily activities while in them, so they are easy for beginners to attain. The descriptions of each jhana and which jhana factors are present at each stage are not very detailed, so those who like lots of specific instruction may not like this book. If you find metta practice more easy/approachable to you than focusing on the breath as your meditation object, this may be a good fit.

My main critique is I can't help but find this book very biased. It claims that TWIM is the "true Dhamma" because it draws from only the suttas and focuses heavily on the Buddha and what he taught, while downplaying/invalidating the commentaries and practices that developed later (e.g. dry insight, intense absorption states). I see this method as one of many that can help people in their practice, but is certainly not "the one."

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A more direct practice based more purely on the sutras (vs the later writings that separate the practice of concentration and awareness meditation)

A compilation of Bhante Viralaramsi’s teachings, including the 6R’s (recognize, release, relax, re-smile, return, repeat), an emphasis on relaxation and not concentration, along with how many other practices get it wrong.

More important, the author valiantly and thoroughly describes nuanced experiences and practices in the higher Jhanas all the way up to nibbana. I’ve never seen such a practical yet comprehensive look at the entire path to nibbana in clear, direct words, while many other books have taken the road of obscure mysticism.

The book won’t capture everyone’s experience, but is still immensely useful to see one person / group’s experience up close.

[Aron Malmborg · Rating 2 out of 5]

There may be some utility in applying the practical advice given in this book. It includes all the typical metta practices that one can read about elsewhere, with no particular clarity in their presentation compared to other works, but also the so-called 6R method for overcoming distraction while meditating, which I have personally found useful.

The approach of the book is very dogmatic even compared to other Buddhist literature, with an unreasonable emphasis on doing things exactly as the Buddha taught. I believe there are mental states like the jhanas and that these can be achieved through meditation, but that such states are best studied and understood using modern neuroscience and psychology, and not Buddhist metaphysics.

[Aman A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to Metta / Loving Kindness meditation. The best introduction to the topic I have found. That being said, I haven't read to much about Metta and have only seriously practiced it for a month this past June. It was able to teach it to me and I was able to access first super unstable first jhana stuff. Still, afaik, this is a great book if you want to do Metta meditation and also take it seriously.

[Alexander Hsu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book in the beginner's guide in the r/streamentry subreddit. It had a good set of instructions on the metta meditation. The author held strong believes that this type of meditation should be the correct way to lead to enlightenment and explained why.

I've been trying to practice metta meditation with the book but I wished the book provided more details like The Mind Illuminated. Unlike breathing focus meditations, I have trouble resting my focus on my metta towards my Spiritual Friend and even if I did I am lost as to where to go next.

[Joel Rosenblum · Rating 1 out of 5]

David Johnson thinks nibbana is black out deep sleep nothingness (this is the view among Myanmar monks especially). That's not at all nibbana. Read the Bahiya sutta, Ud. 1.10. Nibbana is when sounds individually and simultaneously hear themselves, colors see themselves, thoughts think themselves. No witness to unify it all.

The real path to nibbana is simply becoming aware of the effort required to unify all the experience or awareness flows, and then they naturally unbind and untangle.

[Stacey Stokes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the simplicity of this book and the sage advice it gives. I've been meditating for years but not very effectively. Now I feel confident that I'm following the path of Buddha and am quickly feeling the positive effects of the practice. Simple, to the point, effective and the history the book traces makes me feel confident that I'm on the right path.

[Sharolyn Stauffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning of this book was really hard to get through with too much explanation of jhanas. But I’m glad I persisted, because once it really discussed loving kindness meditation, it was excellent and worth the read.

[Joseph Wickland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find the description of states and how to achieve them unsatisfactory, I also think dhammasukkha are over optimistic about their technique. The book and it's practice is good but are too eager to convince you you're accessing states that you aren't.

[Ádám Büte · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way too much kool aid for me

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Really solid book on how to do loving-kindness meditation. However do take a large grain of salt for any claims about how this is the only REAL Buddha teachings

[Richard Dow · Rating 5 out of 5]

very straightforward meditation bases on the sutras

[Sean Farrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

TWIM or Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation is effectively a slightly different framework for traditional metta (loving-kindness) meditation. Though a good framework with very clear instructions utilizing the 6 Rs, an effective mnemonic that helps recenter the meditator while encountering the traditional meditation hindrances, it could probabaly have been half as long while remaining just as effective.