Lightly edited transcript Filler words and caption errors removed by machine; the meaning is unchanged.
In this Q&A, a practitioner describes getting distracted in the jhanas, mainly by restlessness, and asks whether determinations would help at this stage. Delson answers that determinations are suggested once fear, aversion and craving have largely stopped arising, and that a deeper understanding built through the jhanas makes the practice easier. The session ends with sharing of merit.
Key points
- Restlessness is the main hindrance the questioner meets in jhana practice, with occasional sloth and torpor, and some fear.
- Delson suggests that determinations are useful once fear, aversion and craving have largely stopped arising.
- A deeper understanding that develops through the jhanas and the practice makes it easier to move through them.
- When the hindrances no longer arise, it is suggested that a practitioner can start working with determination practice.
Questions in this session
Themes
Where this talk sits on the path
This talk speaks mostly to Beginning practice.
The path runs from Foundations to Arahant; read at any point along it.
Transcript
Questions on jhanas and hindrances
Of meditation, and then I move to all directions, and then if I reach a degree of equanimity, when I reach there, then I move to the quiet mind. At any stage would determinations help me at this stage of the practice? So right now you're taking radiating, let's say, loving kindness or compassion or equanimity or whatever, and in terms of your practice, where are you at? How easy is it for you to be able to get through each of the jhanas without becoming distracted?
It's not so smooth a progression. Yeah, I keep encountering restlessness, that's the biggest hindrance these days, and occasionally sloth and torpor. Yeah. What about craving, and any aversion? Not aversion, but more sometimes fear. But yeah. Yeah, yeah. Determinations would be good after you completely eradicate fear, anxiety, aversion, craving, things like that. There's a certain level of understanding that deepens as you get into the jhanas and as you get into the practice. Once you have that sort of deeper understanding and these different hindrances stop arising, specifically aversion,
Closing and sharing merit
Ill will, craving, things like that, then it makes it easier. And in fact, at that point, it's suggested, if you're inclined to, that you can start with the practice of determination. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. So I don't have any further questions. Me neither. So shall we share merit? Let's do that. Okay, hold on. May suffering once be suffering free, and the fear struck fearless be. May the grieving shed all grief, and may all beings find relief. May all beings share this merit that we have thus acquired, for the acquisition of all kinds of happiness. May beings inhabiting space and earth, devas and nagas of mighty power, share this merit of ours. May they long protect the Buddha's dispensation. Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu. Okay, thank you everyone.