I was pleasantly surprised that I could still enter jhanas in daily life, where there are fewer supportive conditions than the retreat. On days with a mind not too occupied with work or scattered by too much social media, I could shift from access concentration to first jhana, to second, third, fourth, then practice insight meditation. On days when the mind is all over the place, I could still practice letting go and letting be – trusting that I am doing the work to transform the hindrances – and the mind sometimes shifts to stillness within the same hour-long sit.
It is a blessing to have time in one’s day to immerse oneself in the deep pools of the jhanas, even if it’s just an hour a day, and even if it might not be as easy as during retreat. Firstly, there is healing and comfort in simply taking in bliss that is free from the stresses of craving. Secondly, the more one bathes in the jhanas, the more one’s body and mind learn that it’s OK – actually, profoundly blissful – to relax the push-pull habits that protect the manufactured self. As one relaxes, it is easier to see the always-changing and impersonal nature of things, which deepens one’s confidence in the Dharma and letting go – a virtuous cycle.
Thirdly, because the stillness of mind required for the jhanas needs to be supported by one’s way of living, whether the jhanas arise during a sit is often a reflection of how much agitation there is in my life. Some causes of restlessness are out of my control, like a hectic period at work or a relationship conflict that is stirring up strong emotions. But some, like indulging in rumination or social media or rehearsing arguments in my head (🙂), can be gradually and compassionately replaced with more wholesome habits if I am diligent. With this awareness, I can bring in self-compassion if I am going through a hard time, or calibrate my daily actions to increase stability of mind. While this benefit is also present for meditation practice without the jhanas, I find that the pleasures of the jhanas provide stronger motivation for me to change my daily habits, be it consuming less social media or dropping into body awareness more often throughout the day.
This orientation towards meditative pleasure was the biggest shift for me after the retreat. There has always been pleasure in my meditation practice, of course: the relief brought about by an insight, the warmth of loving-kindness, the safety of the mind resting in the body, content with whatever is unfolding in the present moment. But jhanic pleasures are much more permeating, stable, and restful – a result of the mind letting go of hindrances and absorbing into bliss. Ajahn Brahm, in his text Travelogue to the Four Jhanas, compares this to a “positive trauma”: an experience so pleasant that it makes a strong imprint on one’s memory. There is great variation in degrees of jhanic absorption taught by different teachers, and I have not yet reached the level of absorption that Ajahn Brahm teaches. However, his comparison still resonates with me: resting in the jhanas has shown my heart the safety and bliss of letting go in ways that words could not.
Just like how formal sitting meditation supports my mindfulness throughout the day, practicing the jhanas in daily sits seems to allow wholesome qualities to arise more often, and to open my mind to noticing and taking them in. Sometimes there is a lingering warmth in my chest – a quality of the second jhana – as I walk around the neighborhood. Sometimes there is a sudden flash of gladness at someone’s fortune that leaves a joyous glow. It is lovely when it happens, not only because of the pleasant feelings but also because of how spontaneous it is – a gentle reminder to trust the practice to bear fruit in its own time.
This series covers my (still very new) experience of learning the jhanas during a retreat and practicing with them in daily life.
Part 1: Supportive Conditions
Part 2: Recalibrating Pleasure
Part 3: you are here!
