THE BUDDHA W MEDITATION - Theravada Buddhism

subject—and distracting thoughts, which hinder concentration. These hindrances mainly take the
form of: desires, ill will, despair, and anger, sloth and torpor, agitation, worry and doubt and
skepticism. With sustained effort there comes the first moment when these hindrances are wholly
subdued, marked by a quickening of concentration. At this moment those concomitants of consciousness
that will mature into full absorption come into dominance. This is the first noteworthy attainment
of samādhi; because it is the state verging on full absorption, it is called “access” concentration.
This state of concentration is comparable to a child not yet able to stand steady but always
trying to do so. The factors of mind characteristic of full absorption are not strong at the access
level; their emergence is precarious, and the mind fluctuates between them and “inner speech,”
the usual ruminations and wandering thoughts. The meditator is still receptive to sensory input
and remains aware of environmental noises and body states. The primary object is a dominant
thought, but it does not yet fully occupy The mind. At this stage there may emerge (though not
always) any of the following: strong feelings of zest or rapture, happiness and pleasure,
equanimity, initial application to the primary object as though striking at it, or sustained
application to the primary object as though repeatedly noting it. Sometimes one sees luminous
shapes or flashes or bright light, especially if the meditation subject is a kasiṇa or respiration.
Visionary experiences associated with MSC occur at this level, where mind is purified but still
can be occupied with name and form. There may also be a sensation of bodily lightness, as
though floating in the air. Access concentration is a precarious attainment, and if not
solidified into full absorption at the same sitting, it must be guarded between sessions by
avoiding distracting endeavors or encounters.
Table 2. The Path of Concentration
Formless
States
Material
States
Eighth
Seventh
Sixth
Fifth
Fourth
Third
Second
First
Access
Neither-perception-nor-non-perception.
Equanimity and one-pointedness.
Awareness of no-thing-ness.
Equanimity and one-pointedness.
Objectless infinite consciousness.
Equanimity and one-pointedness.
Consciousness of infinite space.
Equanimity and one-pointedness.
Equanimity and one-pointedness
Bliss and all feelings of bodily pleasure cease. Concentration
imperturbable. Breath ceases.
Feelings of bliss, one-pointedness, and equanimity.
Rapture ceases.
Feelings of rapture, bliss, and one-pointedness.
No thought of primary object.
Hindering thoughts, sensory perception, jhāna and awareness of
painful body states all cease.
Initial and unbroken, sustained attention to primary object. Feelings
of rapture, bliss and one-pointedness.
Hindering thoughts overcome; other thoughts remain. Awareness of
sensory inputs and body states.
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