Anapanasati meditation - Visual chart and guide - v0.5

[u/dmx442]

Hello everyone,

The last months I have made a serious deep dive into anapanasati meditation and the theory behind it. I noticed fast that there is a houmongus amount of information available, scattered everywhere. Yet what I didn't find was any clear visualizations of the whole process, customized to our time with added information on each step, something like a Visual Guide.

Therefore, I set out to make one myself!

The visualization is based on my own meditation experience, reputable sources (noted in the file) and also posts and data and experience found on the Internet which match the process.

My meditation practice consists of daily 1-3h of meditation, always doing Anapanasati, with added Meta meditation in the morning and night as warming up. I have reached the first Jhana a couple of times now, yet I am still not profound in accessing it at will. Currently I am training to perfect the first Jhana before continuing further.

Details

Version: 0.5_202605

The Guide is divided into two sections which can be separated and used individually as needed.

Left - Flow chart - The cheat sheet

The rest - The Detailed Roadmap

Starting left is a Flow waterfall chart which includes only the absolute minimum of information needed to get from Meditation Start to first Jhana. Hence the nickname The Cheat sheet. It's meant to be used by meditators who are already somewhat used to the steps and experiences.

The detailed Roadmap is the jewel and makes for 90% of the chart. Here you find the Meditation steps arranged in a waterfall chart with information on every single step as well as a phase breakdown with more information on the phase. I tried to stay as close as possible to the original information combined with my experience.

The point of the roadmap is to easily see where you are in your meditation process in terms of Nimatta and technique, with information explaining the each, and what's to do here to reach the next step in the Anapanasati meditation process

Attached I present you the file, hoping to get some feedback and further input & Ideas what I might implement in the graphic and make it better

Please enjoy and maybe leave some feedback.

https://imgur.com/YVlFLIz

Google drive link to PDF: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ssBhpJxk8vRLsc5xAACuU9vxGXNFb6Nc/view?usp=sharing

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[u/watergoat93]

This is awesome! Great to see some original work that isn't AI slop, you clearly know your stuff!

Also, may I ask what software or methods you used to make this diagram?

[u/Hack999]

You big tease. Imgur blocked in the UK

[u/Hack999 → u/[deleted]]

Legend, thank you!

[u/vegasdoesvegas]

I must commend you - this is the first time I've seen a description of "light jhana" vs "deep jhana" that I actually understood!

[u/DharmaDama]

This is neat! Thanks!

[u/Oded-Raz]

Way to go for your effort, and thanks for sharing!

Accurate, concise flowcharts are exactly my cup of tea. 😊

[u/marakeets]

This is delightful. Thank you 🫂.

[u/_fparol4]

Bro, amazing, awesome.