The Joy of Samādhi

Practices to Cultivate Concentration

with Nikki Mirghafori

The foundational meditation practice of samatha leads to the state of samādhi, where the mind is undistracted, bright, and spacious. Such sustained practice can culminate in profoundly still states, known as jhāna, where the mind becomes blissfully absorbed in the object of attention. In this course, we’ll cultivate supportive conditions to calm the beloved puppy of the mind through giving gentle, affectionate directions that are at the same time resolved and steady.

Reflections from Past Participants

Nikki's teachings were both informative and inspiring. She combined a useful overview of the area with very practical suggestions. And her delivery of the information was heartfelt, compassionate, and intellectually satisfying.

The teachings and guided meditations gave me a much deeper understanding of my practice. Everything was thoughtfully presented, and the course as a whole was outstanding. I truly loved it!

This is a very well designed course. Nikki is a great and experienced teacher. I learned a lot through this class, and had a wonderful experience.

Nikki is amazing. Her guided meditations resonate with me so much. Each guided meditation seemed so skillfully crafted and delivered to teach what it was designed to show.

Understand the purpose of concentration practice and recognize common challenges that arise along the way.
Explore how concentration and mindfulness support insight, and why this relationship matters in practice and life.
Learn and apply a practical method for developing concentration in your own meditation.
Cultivate body awareness to enhance deep listening and connection in professional and relational settings.
Use mindfulness of breathing to calm and center yourself, supporting presence both in personal practice and in working with clients or patients.

This Course is for You if:

You're drawn to meditation as a path of inner stillness, clarity, and insight.
You want to deepen your understanding of how concentration supports mindfulness.
You feel challenged by distraction in your practice and long for more steadiness and ease.
You're curious about the foundational practices that lead to samādhi and the jhānas.
You appreciate a gentle, compassionate approach to training the mind.

What You Receive

5 hrs of Video Teachings

6 Guided Meditations

Readings, Self-Inquiry, and Integration Practices

Live Community Question & Response Sessions

Lifetime Access to Course

Course Syllabus

Introduction & Welcome

Intro and Welcome
Intro to the Pāli Canon

Samādhi: Unifying Stillness in the Mind & Heart

Practice: No Part Left Out
How Samādhi Supports Insight
A Brief History of Samādhi

The Eight Conditions of the Practice

Why Practice Samādhi?
Practice: The Eight Supporting Factors
Am I There Yet?
Practice: Samādhi Supports Liberation

Moving from Theory to Embodiment

Movement: Building Momentum
Practice: A Relaxed Body Calms the Mind

The Five Jhānic Factors

The Five Jhānic Factors
Practice: The Eight Part Breath
Movement: Carrying the Eight Part Breath as You Walk

Meet The Teacher

Nikki Mirghafori, PhD

The Joy of Samādhi: Practices to Cultivate Concentration

Nikki Mirghafori, PhD, is a Buddhist teacher and Artificial Intelligence (AI) scientist. She is a lineage holder in the Theravada tradition, empowered by the living Burmese meditation master Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw, with whom she practiced the jhanas and detailed analytical (Abhidhamma-style) vipassana. She also received empowerment from the Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Insight Meditation Society, Insight Meditation Center, and is a Stanford-trained compassion cultivation instructor.

At Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Nikki serves as a Stewarding Teacher as well as on the Board of Directors. She also teaches at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA. Nikki’s teaching style combines clarity and warmth, and she delights in exploring deep Dharma topics with practitioners as well as mindfulness in daily life. Mindfulness of death, in particular, is one of the areas of her interest and expertise.

Additionally, Nikki has been a researcher and inventor in AI, holds multiple patents and author of scientific research articles. She has directed international research programs as the Principal Investigator, mentored postdocs and PhD students, taught graduate courses at UC Berkeley, and been a scientific advisor to Silicon Valley technology startups.

As an Iranian-American, Nikki has taught contemplative practices internationally and aspires to serve as a champion for wisdom and compassion in our world, as well as ethical AI in our zeitgeist.

Select Your Rate

Please consider giving the most you can.

Basic

The Basic rate covers a portion of the cost of the program and is partially subsidized. This rate is not tax-deductible.

$48

Sustainer

The Sustainer rate covers the cost of the program. This rate is not tax-deductible.

$58

Benefactor

The Benefactor rate covers the cost of the program and supports fellow practitioners. The difference between the Sustainer rate and this rate is tax-deductible.

$108

Add-ons (Optional)

You can add during checkout

Continuing Education

5 CE Credits – $50

This program offers 5 CE credits for $50 for psychologists, California licensed MFTs, LCSWs, LEPs, LPCCs, nurses, and chiropractors, and may be applicable for other licenses. Please review our CEC information page for full provider information.

This program offers 5 homestudy CE credits for $50 for psychologists and California licensed MFTs, LCSWs, LEPs, LPCCs, nurses, and chiropractors. Please review our Continuing Education Credit information page to determine if your association or board will accept credits offered by Spirit Rock. *

Teachings are appropriate for health care professionals as well as the general public. Health care providers who engage in the practice of samādhi, a state of deep concentration and meditation, have been shown to experience reduced stress levels and improved emotional well-being. The positive impact of samādhi on overall well-being and mental health can contribute to a healthcare provider’s ability to make sound clinical decisions. Mindfulness practices, including elements of samādhi, also contribute to enhanced resilience and decreased burnout among healthcare professionals.

Learning Objectives for Participating Health Care Professionals:

At the end of the program you will be better able to:
describe the goal of concentration practice and the potential pitfalls;
explain the relationship between concentration, mindfulness, and the arising of insight;
list the supporting factors for concentration/stability of the mind;
describe a technique for developing concentration;
utilize mindfulness of breathing practices to develop present-moment awareness and to calm the mind in preparation for, and when working with clients or patients;
utilize body awareness practices to deepen listening presence with colleagues, clients, or patients.

Continuing Education Content Level: Introductory

* Please note:

For full provider information and additional CEC information—including attendance requirements, cancellation, and grievance policies, please visit our Continuing Education Credit information page.

For those with a different license than listed above, or with a license from a different board or association than listed on our CEC info page, please contact your licensing board or association directly to request pre-approval/acceptance of CE credits offered at Spirit Rock. Spirit Rock does not confirm applicability of credit for those with licenses different than those listed.

Spirit Rock is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP16905, for 5 contact hours.

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What is the course format?

All of our on-demand courses are offered in a flexible self-study format, so you can access the materials whenever is good for you. Readings, video, audio, and all resources are structured for sequential access in our Online Learning Platform.

Can I participate from a different time zone?

Yes of course! We have students from all over the world participate in our courses. These self-paced study and practice courses are available wherever you are in the world, and whenever works best for you.

How long will I have access to the course?

You have lifetime access to the course and all materials.

I have more questions. Can you help me?

Yes! Please email us at courses@spiritrock.org with any questions that you might have.