Chapter 8 Nibbana ______________________________
has not yet reached the point of perfection, our correct practice in this lifetime will allow us to experience gradations of true happiness. We can start out by keeping our mind still and quiet through meditation. Meditation is the pathway that leads to the attainment of the different levels of Jhanas or absorptions. These absorptions start from the first Jhana and continue all the way to the final stage of holiness. There are many levels of happiness that can be attained through the different levels of Jhana absorptions. Although the details of these elevated meditative states are quite complicated, the Most Venerable Pramonkolthepmuni was able to give us some ideas about them by putting them in practical terms as follows:
“Keep the Jhana clear and bright all the time. Don’t allow it to fade, to deteriorate, or disappear altogether. Remain in the Jhanas and derive happiness from the First Jhana, the Second Jhana, the Third Jhana, and the Fourth Jhana. It is the kind of happiness far superior to the happiness of the world. Once you have attained the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Jhanas, you will forget the pleasures of the physical form, the sound, the smell, the taste, and the touch. Nothing remains of the physical form, the sound, the smell, the taste, and the touch. Take the mind of the Form Brahma Being and place it on the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Jhanas until you forget the pleasures of the physical form, the sound, the smell, the taste, and the touch that constantly knock at your heart whether you are awake or asleep. Continue to elevate your meditative state and experience the Non-Form Jhanas of Akasanancayatana, Vinnanancayatana, Akincannayatana, and Nevasannanasannayatana. Once the Non-Form Jhanas have been attained, the pleasures of the Form Jhanas are removed and the mind attaches itself to the happiness of the Akasanancayatana, Vinnanancayatana, Akincannayatana, and Nevasannanasannayatana Jhanas. Such happiness can last 84,000 earth ages. The Nevasannanasannayatana Jhana at the very top of the universe is the source of the most excellent happiness within the three spheres. There is no higher happiness. No other happiness in the three spheres can be compared to the supreme happiness of the Nevasannanasannayatana Jhana. 156