Building on the practice developed in the Satipatthāna Meditation program, Mindfulness of Breathing offers eight weeks of focused study and practice of the 16 steps of the Ānāpānasati-sutta, guided by the teachings of renowned scholar and monastic, Bhikkhu Anālayo.
We are delighted to offer New Participant and Returning Participant Cohorts for Mindfulness of Breathing: Summer 2026! If this will be your first time taking the BCBS Mindfulness of Breathing program, please select New Participant Application. If you have completed the BCBS Mindfulness of Breathing program in the past, please select Returning Participant Application.
July 4 - August 29, 2026
May 25, 2026 (5:00 PM EST)
8 weeks
10-12 hours per week
Intensive
1) Having an established mindfulness practice
2) Having either earned a certificate of completion from our immersive online program, Satipatthāna Meditation, or participated in the Satipatthāna Meditation program online/residentially with Bhikkhu Anālayo at BCBS or another center.
• Video lectures
• Audio guided meditations
• Reading assignments
• Sutta study
• Discussion forums
• Review questions
• Weekly 90 minute live small group meetings, including:
• Break-out practice and sutta study discussions
• Moderated weekly written discussion forums
Mindfulness of Breathing is an eight-week, in-depth study of the sixteen steps of the Ānāpānasati-sutta, combining tranquility and insight in the form of practice that aims to cultivate the awakening factors. This program thereby builds on the practice, particularly of the awakening factors, developed in the Satipatthāna Meditation program.
Each week, participants will engage with recorded guided meditations and video lectures by Bhikkhu Anālayo, complete reading assignments from Mindfulness of Breathing: A Practice Guide, attend a 90-minute weekly group meeting, and contribute to a written online forum.
Certification Track:
This online program offers an optional certification track, which fulfills a prerequisite for Bhikkhu Anālayo’s advanced online program, Brahmavihāras & Emptiness. The optional certification track requires the completion of a final reflection and review of participation.
Timeline:
Applications Open: April 6, 2026
Applications Close: May 25, 2026 (5:00 PM EST)
Acceptance Notification: June 1, 2026
Registration: June 1 – June 26, 2026
Orientation Week: June 27 – July 4, 2026
Program Dates: July 4 – August 29, 2026
| Pre-Course | Welcome Module, Orientation, and Access to Week 1 (Preliminaries) |
| Week 1 | Preliminaries |
| Week 2 | Contemplation of the Body (1st tetrad) |
| Week 3 | Contemplation of Feeling Tones (2nd tetrad) |
| Week 4 | Contemplation of the Mind - Part 1 (3rd tetrad) |
| Week 5 | Contemplation of the Mind - Part 2 (3rd tetrad) |
| Week 6 | Contemplation of Dharmas (4th tetrad) |
| Week 7 | Arousing, Cultivating, and Balancing the Awakening Factors |
| Week 8 | Inclining towards Awakening and Conclusion |
This program requires considerable dedication and commitment from participants each week. Requirements include attendance at the small group meetings, as well as contribution to the discussion forum and completion of program assessments.
The required time commitment is roughly 10-12* hours per week.
Weekly individual participation includes:
* Participants are strongly encouraged to read in advance of the program (later referring back to the book as a reference/refresher for each weekly topic). Otherwise, participants should anticipate an additional 2-3 hours per week for reading during the program.
** The small group meeting occurs on the same day/time each week, and attendance is required. On the application you’ll select from a list of available times for your small group placement.
In early Buddhist thought, tranquility and insight are complementary dimensions of meditative cultivation, traditionally based on a solid foundation in moral conduct and part of a gradual process of training. This online program will follow the Buddha’s principle of ethics as the foundation for Mindfulness of Breathing practice. Participation in this program is supported by group commitment to respect and non-harming, applying to both communication with others and also to one’s personal relationship with the practice.
BCBS keeps prices as affordable as possible and offers Tier Pricing and Financial Assistance options to keep programs accessible.
Tier Pricing: You may choose a tier and pay according to your means. Tier 1 covers the actual cost of the program. Tiers 2 and 3 are subsidized rates made possible through the generosity of donors. The Benefactor rate enables you to offer additional, tax-deductible support to BCBS and fellow program participants. Please select the highest tier that fits your budget to help BCBS keep programs accessible. Click the tab below for additional financial assistance options.
Teacher Dāna: In keeping with the tradition of teachers offering the Buddhadharma out of a spirit of generosity, program fees do not include compensation for teachers. There will be an opportunity to support your teacher(s) through the practice of dāna at the end of the program.
We are committed to making this program accessible to all. Financial assistance is available to offset the program fee if needed. When invited to register, you can select financial assistance of 30%, 40%, or 50% off the lowest tier ($450). If you require financial assistance greater than 50%, please indicate what amount feels affordable to you, and we will try to accommodate your request.
Applications Open: April 6, 2026
Applications Close: May 25, 2026 (5:00 PM EST)
Acceptance Notification: June 1, 2026
Registration: June 1 – June 26, 2026
Orientation Week: June 27 – July 4, 2026
Program Dates: July 4 – August 29, 2026
We understand that personal circumstances may require you to cancel your registration. In these cases, please contact us right away. If you cancel before the program starts, you are eligible for a full refund minus a $100 administrative fee. Registration fees are nonrefundable after the program starts.
Bhikkhu Anālayo is a scholar-monk and the author of numerous books on meditation and early Buddhism, such as Satipatthāna: The Direct Path to Realization, Perspectives on Satipatthāna, and Satipatthāna Meditation: A Practice Guide. He is a Faculty Member at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, having retired from being a professor at the Numata Center for Buddhist Studies at the University of Hamburg. Bhikkhu Anālayo’s main area of academic research is early Buddhism, with a special interest in the topics of meditation and women in Buddhism. At the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, he regularly participates in online programs and undertakes research into meditation-related themes.
Bhikkhu Anālayo’s teachings for this program are offered through video lectures, guided meditations, and readings. There will be no direct interaction with Bhikkhu Anālayo.
