Bliss, the absorptions, and the base of boundless consciousness
Ven. Nyanatiloka, Dictionary of Buddhist Terms, edited by Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly
What is "
Buddhist meditation" really? In fact, it is
jhāna (meditation), which is referred to as "absorption" to distinguish it from later stages of developing insight (
vipassana, satipatthana, anusati).
Meditative absorption refers eight states of super-consciousness or samadhi. First come the four (fine-) material absorptions. These correspond to exalted planes of the Fine-Material Sphere (Rūpa-Loka jhānas or rūpāvacara-jhānas).
- The only part of the "world" or universe most of us are aware of are our levels or planes of existence within the Sensual Sphere, where humans, lower-ET devas, subhumans (titans, ogres, garudas/kinnaras, nagas, gnomes, ghouls), animals, hungry ghosts, and hellions reside. Above the Sensual Sphere heavens, ET worlds, there are the Fine-Material Sphere worlds or planes of existence. And above these are the Immaterial Sphere worlds.
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| I get so absorbed in what I'm doing, I just flow. |
These absorptions are achieved through the attainment of full (ecstatic-) concentration (
appanā, see
samādhi), during which there is a temporary but complete suspension of fivefold sense-activity and of the
Five Hindrances (
nīvarana).
The absorbed state of consciousness, however, is one of full alertness and lucidity.
This high degree of stillness, focus, single-pointedness (ekagata), laser-like concentration is generally developed or cultivated (bhāvanā) by the practice of one of the 40 subjects of tranquility meditation (samatha-kammatthāna).
The next four absorptions -- finer, more exalted, more refined, subtle, and sublime) are the four immaterial (arupa) absorptions. These (arūpāyatana) absorptions correspond to planes of the Immaterial Sphere (arūpa-jhāna or arūpāvacara-jhāna).
The text often met with in the sutras runs as follows:
Fine-material absorptions (rupa jhanas)
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| There was bliss, rapture, focus, lucidity... |
(1) "Detached from sensual objects, O meditators, detached from unwholesome states of consciousness, connected with applied (
vitakka) and sustained (
vicāra) attention, born of detachment (
vivekaja), and filled with rapture (
pīti, joy, bliss) and happiness (
sukha, satisfaction, contentment), one enters the first absorption.
(2) "With the subsiding of applied and sustained attention, and by gaining inner tranquility and unity (coherence, oneness, lucidity, cogency) of mind, one enters into a state free of applied and sustained attention, the second absorption, which is born of stillness (samādhi) and filled with rapture (pīti) and happiness (sukha).
(3) "With the fading of rapture, one dwells in equanimity, mindful, clearly conscious, and one experiences that feeling of which the
noble ones say, 'Happy lives the person of equanimity and mindfully attentive mind'; thus, one enters the third absorption.
(4) "Transcending pleasure and pain, and through the disappearance of previous happiness and grief, one enters into a state beyond pleasure and pain, the fourth absorption, which is purified by equanimity (upekkhā) and mindfulness.
Immaterial absorptions (arupa jhanas)
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| Before and beyond form, there is consciousness. |
(5) "Through the overcoming of perceptions of matter, however, and through the vanishing of sense-reactions and non-attention to perceptions of variety (
papanca), with the notion, "Boundless is space," one reaches
the sphere of boundless space (
ākāsānañcāyatana) and abides therein.
- ["By 'perceptions of matter' (rūpa-saññā) are meant the absorptions of the fine-material sphere, as well as those objects themselves" (Vis.M. X.1). "By 'perceptions of sense-reactions' (patigha-saññā) are meant those perceptions that have arisen due to the impact of sense-organs (eye, etc.) and the sense-objects (visible objects, etc.). They are a name for the perception of visible objects, as it is said (Jhāna-Vibhanga): 'What are here the perceptions of sense-reactions? They are the perceptions of visible objects, sounds, etc.' Surely, they do no longer exist even for one who has entered the first absorption, etc., for at such a time the five-sense consciousness is no longer functioning. Nevertheless, this is to be understood as having been said in praise of this immaterial absorption, in order to incite the striving for it" (Vis.M. X.16). "Perceptions of variety (ñānatta-saññā) are the perceptions that arise in various fields, or the various perceptions" (ibid). Hereby, according to Vis.M. X.20, are meant the multiform perceptions outside the absorptions.]
(6) "Through the total overcoming of the sphere of boundless space, and with the notion, 'Boundless is consciousness,' one reaches the sphere of boundless consciousness (viññānañcāyatana) and abides therein. CONTINUED BELOW
ARTIST BIO
Juliana Garces, spiritual seeker and visionary artist, does artwork that reflects her deep commitment to
raising the collective consciousness.
Her art journey is a continuous exploration of how visual forms can transcend language and open pathways to the infinite (boundless).
Grounded in her daily spiritual practices—meditation, yoga, mindfulness, and deep study of mysticism—her work reflects visions and experiences from realms that words cannot fully describe.
Juliana sees herself as simply
a channel for cosmic creativity, doing her best to step aside and let the cosmic visions flow through her.
She doesn’t view the work as her own, but rather as something greater that she’s fortunate to be part of.
By tapping into
the infinite space within all of us, she hopes to create pieces that serve as gentle reminders for others to reconnect with their own eternal nature.
More- (7) "Through the total overcoming of the sphere of boundless consciousness, with the notion, 'No-thing is there,' one reaches the sphere of nothingness (ākiñcaññāyatana) and abides therein.
- (8) "Through the total overcoming of the sphere of no-thingness, one reaches the sphere of neither-perception-nor-non-perception (nevasaññā-n'asaññāyatana) and abides therein."
"Thus the first absorption is free of five things (the Five Hindrances), and five things are present (the
Five Factors of Absorption or
jhāna-anga).
Whenever the meditator enters the first absorption, the Five Hindrances vanish:
- sensual craving
- ill-will
- sloth-torpor
- restlessness-scruples
- skeptical doubt.
And these [in their place] are present [the
Five Factors of Absorption]:
- applied attention (vitakka)
- sustained attention (vicāra)
- rapture (pīti)
- happiness (sukha)
- stillness/concentration (samādhi).
In the second absorption, there are present: rapture, happiness, and concentration. In the third: happiness and stillness/concentration. In the fourth: equanimity (
upekkhā) and concentration" (
The Path of Purification, Vis.M. IV).
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| Having felt bliss, point me to nirvana! |
The four immaterial absorptions (
jhanas 5-8) are said to still belong, technically speaking, to the fourth absorption because they possess the same two constituents.
The fourth fine-material absorption is also the base or starting point (
pādaka-jhāna) for the attainment of the higher paranormal spiritual powers (
abhiññās).
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