Formless absorptions, samadhi and insight
84 Following in the Buddha's Footsteps
Venerable Thubten Chodron 
Volume 4 Following in the Buddha's Footsteps 
Feb 13, 2026 Part of an ongoing series of teachings based on the book Following in the Buddha's Footsteps, the fourth volume in The Library of Wisdom and Compassion series by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron.
- Cultivating four formless absorptions serially
- Infinite space, infinite consciousness, nothingness, neither discrimination nor non-discrimination
- Four types of concentration and specific results they lead to
- Duhkha, impermanence and no self
- Based on samadhi, gaining insight
- Three higher knowledges
- Four establishments of mindfulness
- Varius concentrations for developing insight and attaining liberation
84 Formless Absorption, Samadhi and Insight (download)
Contemplation points
- Consider how the object of meditation itself changes as a meditator is meditating from gaining the four dhyanas to the four formless absorptions to beyond the formless absorptions. Why is it necessary that the object of meditation change as the mind becomes more absorbed?
- Describe the process of advancing from one meditative absorption to the next: infinite space to infinite consciousness to nothingness to neither discrimination nor non-discrimination. Why does a meditator in this state still take rebirth?
- What level of attainment does each of the four developments of concentration correspond to?
- Why did the Buddha teach about the pleasant experience of the dhyanas? What is the danger of getting attached to the peace of the dhyanas and how do we overcome this danger?
- Consider that at some time in our past lives, there have been lives where we attained the level of samadhi that is taught in the text, but we didn’t use the opportunity to attain nirvana. Resolve to practice well now, making the best use of your time in this life to progress along the spiritual path.
Venerable Thubten Chodron
Venerable Chodron emphasizes the practical application of Buddha’s teachings in our daily lives and is especially skilled at explaining them in ways easily understood and practiced by Westerners. She is well known for her warm, humorous, and lucid teachings. She was ordained as a Buddhist nun in 1977 by Kyabje Ling Rinpoche in Dharamsala, India, and in 1986 she received bhikshuni (full) ordination in Taiwan. Read her full bio.
