"This is called the bliss of renunciation, the bliss of seclusion, the bliss of peace, the bliss of enlightenment. I say of this kind of pleasure that it should be pursued, that it should be developed, that it should be cultivated, that it should not be feared."

The Buddha on the four jhanas
The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha, sutta 66

What Others Say About the Manual

David R. Vago, PhD
President, International Society for Contemplative Research

"The Jhana Training Manual is a rare and masterful contribution to the landscape of contemporary meditation literature. Tomas Piskacek brings precision, humility, and lived insight to one of the most elusive and misunderstood areas of contemplative practice. This manual is not merely theoretical—it is forged in the crucible of deep retreat, rigorous training, and hard-won personal realization. Grounded in the early Buddhist suttas, yet refreshingly practical and accessible, it offers clear, methodical guidance for meditators seeking to traverse the full arc of deep absorptive practice. Whether you are a beginning practitioner or an advanced contemplative, this manual provides indispensable tools for unlocking the depths of the human mind and heart."

Terje Sparby, PhD
Professor of Philosophy and Meditation Researcher
Oslo, Norway

"In the Jhana Training Manual, Tomas shares some unique 'tricks of the trade' that may help open up access to jhana. The writing is straightforward and represents condensed wisdom. There are also numerous interesting phenomenological details on how both jhana and cessation unfold. The book contains complete instructions for one way of entry into nirvana—I can recommend it with the greatest confidence."

Ariyadhammika Mahathera

Leader of the Sangha of SBS Monk Training Centre

"Drawing from both early Buddhist texts and practical experience, this book offers:

Practical retreat guidelines to optimize one's meditation schedule
Step-by-step instructions for developing deep Samadhi
Strategies to overcome common obstacles in concentration practice

Whether embarking on a silent retreat or refining one's mindfulness practice at home, this guide serves as a trusted companion on the path to deeper stillness—laying a strong foundation for the development of wisdom. This is the book I wish I had when I began my journey 30 years ago."

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(Available as: Print, eBook, Audiobook, free PDF)

About the author

I was born in Prague, the Czech Republic, in 1987. I grew up playing tennis (and I see some parallels between training to be a professional athlete and training to attain the most profound states in meditation). I studied economics and public policy at Kenyon College (BA, Ohio), the London School of Economics, and the University of Amsterdam (MSc). Among my few jobs, I spent the longest time at McKinsey & Company in Prague as a research analyst.

I became interested in Buddhism when I was 16 and started meditating at 18—about 20 years ago. During my studies and work, I sometimes meditated at home and used to go to a 10–14-day meditation retreat once a year.

At the end of 2018, I went to Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary in Malaysia to become a Theravada monk under the guidance of Venerable Ariyadhammika. I was able to get into the jhanas (profoundly serene and blissful states of meditative concentration) and even the formless attainments relatively quickly. Later, in 2022, again at Sasanarakkha, I managed to break through into the cessation of perception and feeling (nirodha samapatti)—the highest meditative attainment possible according to the early Buddhist scriptures. After that, I maintained and developed the cessation practice for over two years.

Besides Malaysia, I have practiced meditation in Buddhist monasteries in Burma, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Singapore.

At the end of 2024, I decided to abandon formal monasticism, return to Europe, continue my meditation practice without the monk robes, and dedicate myself to helping others on the path to jhana.

Personal References

"Seeing my student Tomas bring his exceptional meditation experience into the world through his manual and personal guidance is truly heartening. His efforts have always been grounded in a deep appreciation for samadhi and have matured into a genuine wish to support others in their practice. I trust that his mentoring will help many people on the path to jhana."

Ariyadhammika Mahathera

Leader of the Sangha of SBS Monk Training Centre

"I know Tomas from a meditation center in Europe. He always stays authentic in our conversations. His honesty, patience, confidence, wisdom, and humor are profoundly helpful and inspiring in finding one's own path to these qualities. It's such a precious gift for all of us to have an experienced mentor by our side."

Beate Preissler

Mindfulness Teacher, Germany

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"This is called the bliss of renunciation, the bliss of seclusion, the bliss of peace, the bliss of enlightenment. I say of this kind of pleasure that it should be pursued, that it should be developed, that it should be cultivated, that it should not be feared."

The Buddha on the four jhanas
The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha, sutta 66

David R. Vago, PhD
President, International Society for Contemplative Research

Terje Sparby, PhD
Professor of Philosophy and Meditation Researcher
Oslo, Norway

"Drawing from both early Buddhist texts and practical experience, this book offers:

Practical retreat guidelines to optimize one's meditation schedule

Step-by-step instructions for developing deep Samadhi

Strategies to overcome common obstacles in concentration practice

Whether embarking on a silent retreat or refining one's mindfulness practice at home, this guide serves as a trusted companion on the path to deeper stillness—laying a strong foundation for the development of wisdom. This is the book I wish I had when I began my journey 30 years ago."

About the author

Personal References

Questions or feedback?

Feel free to reach out.

Sign up for updates

Interactive
Sutta Guide

​"This is called the bliss of renunciation, the bliss of seclusion, the bliss of peace, the bliss of enlightenment. I say of this kind of pleasure that it should be pursued, that it should be developed, that it should be cultivated, that it should not be feared."

The Buddha on the four jhanas The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha, sutta 66

David R. Vago, PhD President, International Society for Contemplative Research

Terje Sparby, PhD Professor of Philosophy and Meditation Researcher Oslo, Norway

"Drawing from both early Buddhist texts and practical experience, this book offers:

Practical retreat guidelines to optimize one's meditation schedule

Step-by-step instructions for developing deep Samadhi

Strategies to overcome common obstacles in concentration practice

Whether embarking on a silent retreat or refining one's mindfulness practice at home, this guide serves as a trusted companion on the path to deeper stillness—laying a strong foundation for the development of wisdom. This is the book I wish I had when I began my journey 30 years ago."

About the author

Personal References

Questions or feedback?

Feel free to reach out.

Sign up for updates

Interactive Sutta Guide

"This is called the bliss of renunciation, the bliss of seclusion, the bliss of peace, the bliss of enlightenment. I say of this kind of pleasure that it should be pursued, that it should be developed, that it should be cultivated, that it should not be feared."

The Buddha on the four jhanas
The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha, sutta 66

David R. Vago, PhD
President, International Society for Contemplative Research

Terje Sparby, PhD
Professor of Philosophy and Meditation Researcher
Oslo, Norway

Interactive
Sutta Guide