English Literature – Articles ☆ Meditate Like The Buddha # 20: The Four Jhanas ☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

“Quite secluded from sense desires, secluded from unwholesome states of mind, one enters upon and dwells in the first jhana, which is accompanied by applied thought and sustained thought with happiness and bliss born of seclusion.”

The Role of Jhanas in Meditation

The Buddha attained enlightenment meditating beneath the Bodhi tree. He expounded two interrelated systems of meditation:

• Serenity meditation (Samatha Bhavana): Develops a calm, concentrated, and unified mind.
• Insight meditation (Vipassana Bhavana): Leads to a direct understanding of the true nature of phenomena.

A set of meditative attainments known as jhanas plays a crucial role in both systems. These heightened mental states provide a pleasant abiding in the present moment and deepen meditative absorption.

To attain the jhanas, a meditator must eliminate the five hindrances:

• Sensual desire
• Ill will
• Sloth and torpor
• Restlessness and worry
• Doubt

The mind’s absorption in its object arises through five opposing jhana factors:

• Applied thought
• Sustained thought
• Rapture
• Happiness
• One-pointedness

The Four Jhanas

1. The First Jhana

“Quite secluded from sense desires, secluded from unwholesome states of mind, one enters upon and dwells in the first jhana, which is accompanied by applied thought and sustained thought with happiness and bliss born of seclusion.”

• The initial stage of meditative absorption.
• Marked by applied and sustained thought, leading to happiness and bliss.

2. The Second Jhana

“With the stilling of applied and sustained thought, one enters upon and dwells in the second jhana, which has internal confidence and singleness of mind without applied thought, without sustained thought, with happiness and bliss born of concentration.”

• A deeper state where thought subsides.
• Inner confidence arises, and bliss is sustained by concentration.

3. The Third Jhana

“With the fading away of happiness as well, one dwells in equanimity, and mindful and fully aware, feels bliss with the body; he enters upon and dwells in the third jhana.”

• Happiness transitions into equanimity and deep mindfulness.
• Bliss is experienced physically with heightened awareness.

4. The Fourth Jhana

“With the abandoning of pleasure and pain and with the previous disappearance of joy and grief, he enters upon and dwells in the fourth jhana, which has neither-pain-nor-pleasure and has purity of mindfulness due to equanimity.”

• A state of profound balance where pleasure and pain, joy and grief fade away.
• Equanimity and purity of mindfulness become fully established.

Conclusion

The jhanas offer a structured path toward deeper concentration and inner peace. Progressing through these states refines the mind, leading to wisdom and ultimately, liberation from suffering.

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