HOW TO KNOW WE'VE ENTERED SAMĀDHI IN THE FORM REALM?
+ When we’ve entered samādhi, we no longer feel cravings—not for food or drink, not for sensual pleasure, nor attraction to anyone. Even the idea of being male or female disappears.
+ Upon entering the stillness of samādhi, we may still hear sounds or noise around us, but they don’t register or take hold in the mind. In other words, although the sounds are heard, no Javana (impulsive mental movement) arises in response./p>
+ The deeper the samādhi, the fainter or more absent these two signs become. On the other hand, if at any point we find ourselves affected by them—for instance, having lustful thoughts upon seeing a beautiful woman, or becoming irritated or annoyed by loud noise—then we know we’ve either fallen out of absorption or returned to the consciousness of the Desire Realm. In that case, just go back to doing the mental math.
SELF-CHECKING THE ABSORPTION LEVELS
To know which level of absorption (jhāna) you’re currently in, rely on the presence or absence of the jhāna factors: Initial Application, Sustained Application, One-Pointedness, Joy, and Bliss. In all levels of Form Realm meditation, these five factors vary in intensity—some stronger, some weaker, faster or slower, more or less subtle.
+ Initial Application: When we’re visualizing the digits, we’re actively searching for the math problem. This corresponds to First Jhāna, where Initial Application is strongest, followed by Sustained Application (as we’re trying to hold the shape of the digits). Because we have to keep attention on the numbers, there is some degree of One-Pointedness, but Joy and Bliss haven’t really arisen yet.
+ Sustained Application: When we begin doing calculations—adding, subtracting, etc.—we shift from Initial Application to Sustained Application. This marks the transition from First Jhāna to Second Jhāna. Vicāra becomes dominant, vitakka weakens, One-Pointedness strengthens, and both Joy and Bliss begin to increase, though they might not yet be clearly felt.
+ One-Pointedness: When we keep working on the math to the point that consciousness becomes overloaded and collapses into stillness—this is entry into samādhi. The mind becomes still, stops visualizing the digits, and ceases calculation altogether. The inner gaze remains forward or naturally drifts ahead. What lies in front is a quiet space, softly glowing (according to my own experience).
+ Joy: Joy arises when we feel a sense of gladness for having entered Third Jhāna. From observing my own practice over the past three months, I’ve noticed that Joy tends to be weak and infrequent. Bliss is the more prominent experience.
+ Bliss: As concentration deepens, we’ll feel the mind settling into stillness effortlessly—without needing to do anything. This indicates Fourth Jhāna. Bliss arises and intensifies the deeper and longer the samādhi lasts. At first comes Soaking—a light tingling throughout the body (especially a cool, minty sensation in the chest, like holding a lozenge). As it deepens, it becomes Saturation. More deeply still, it becomes Fullness. And if Bliss becomes Overflowing, we may feel happy for the entire day after practicing. (I’ve had a small taste of this a few times.)
+ Equanimity: At some point, when we’re ready to let go of everything, the mind enters Fifth Jhāna in the Form Realm. In one session, I kept trying to “stick” a bright white dot in front of me, thinking it would enhance concentration. Eventually I became too tired and just let it all go, shifting my attention to Bliss instead. When I told Brother Alpha, he said I had discovered Fifth Jhāna through direct experience.
+ According to Brother Alpha, these five levels of Form Realm absorption are only a simplified framework for understanding. When we go deeper, we’ll see that each level contains many sub-levels and beings who dwell within them (e.g., First Jhāna includes the Brahma Pārisajja, Brahma-purohita, and Mahābrahmā). Each layer has its own qualitative characteristics—Soaking, Saturation, Fullness, and Overflowing.
+ As practice matures ad concentration quality improves, the mind becomes nhu nhuyễn. At that point, we can transition between levels of jhāna more easily—that is, we can “drop one factor and pick up another” smoothly. (This is something I still need time to develop.) Note: Only at higher levels—like Fourth Jhāna—can one move down to lower levels easily. Lower levels cannot ascend at will.
+ In general, when we’re in any absorption but start having thoughts characteristic of the Desire Realm, know that we’ve slipped into Desire-Realm meditation. If, for example, we find ourselves instinctively looking for something (e.g., drawing digits again, sticking on a white dot), then we’ve likely returned to First Jhāna. If we're struggling to hold onto something so it doesn't disappear, we're likely in Second Jhāna. This principle is a basic guideline for self-checking our level during practice.
+ Another way to confirm attainment is through direct perception of the realm. For instance, if we're stably concentrated in First Jhāna (or higher), and we intentionally and sincerely wish to meet the Brahma beings, and we do encounter them—then that’s clear evidence of having ‘attained’ First Jhāna. (I haven’t yet seen any deities in these realms ☹.
(End of Part 4/7)