The Rupa Jhānas (Form realm)
The first four dhyanās are also called the FOUR CONCENTRATIONS. Taught by Ārāḍa Kālāma, leading up to “attainment of the state of nothingness.” These are closely related to a Hindu tradition of yoga practice involving a process of moral and intellectual purification associated with four stages of jhānic attainment.
First—5 factors which, when used properly, disperse the Five Hindrances
Meditator achieves detachment from sensual desires and impure states of mind through analysis and reflection and thereby attains an emotional state of satisfaction and joy.
METHOD: Withdraw from the Five Hindrances (pañcanivarana) are sensual desire, ill will, sloth and torpor, restlessness and worry, and doubt.
RESULT: Physical well-being and joy from ending phenomenal enslavement.
PROBLEM: This state is not absolute because it requires maintenance through thoughts (evaluating an object through directed through). It is dualistic (dependent on another) and so vulnerable.
MEDITATIVE: Discursive thought, detachment, rapture, joy
TYPE OF HEAVEN: Great Brahmas, Brahma priests
Second—3 factors, which suppress vitakka and vicāra
Intellectual activities are abated to a complete inner serenity; the mind is in a state of “one-pointedness” or concentration, joy, and pleasantness.
METHOD: Kill evaluative and directed thought.
RESULT: Physical well-being and joy from unwavering concentration and unity of mind.
PROBLEM: Joy is a perturbation, a one-sidedness headed for collapse.
MEDITATIVE: Concentration, rapture, joy
TYPE OF HEAVEN: Radiant gods
Third—2 factors, which eliminate pīti
Every emotion, including joy, has disappeared, leaving the meditator indifferent to everything while remaining completely conscious.
METHOD: Kill rapture.
RESULT: Alertness and physical well-being.
PROBLEM: The state of pleasant physicality is a false identity because it’s static and reified.
MEDITATIVE: Concentration, equanimity
TYPE OF HEAVEN: Complete immeasurable limited beauty
Fourth—dispenses with sukha, has 2 factors
The abandoning of any sense of satisfaction, pain, or serenity because any inclination to a good or bad state of mind has disappeared. The meditator thus enters a state of supreme purity, indifference to everything, and pure consciousness. Five of the six abhijñas (superknowledges) are attained here—psychic powers, divine ear, telepathy, memory of former lives, and divine eye.
METHOD: Kill physicality.
RESULT: Freedom from concepts (thoughts), emotions (joy), and feelings (physicality). You are now beyond physical form.
PROBLEM: A subtle connection to saṃsāra remains. To be truly free, the remaining dependance on an object-terminal must be attained.
MEDITATIVE: Concentration, equanimity, beyond pleasure/pain
TYPE OF HEAVEN: Abodes of pure deities