There is a part of Buddhism that not many people even know about. It involves the supernatural experiences called “Abhinna“(Abijna, Abhinnanana).
If you’ve read some of this blog, you may have seen me talk about my absence of knowledge of the higher states of meditation. I was clueless really. I didn’t know the word “Jhana” at the time. Even less so, the word Abhinna. The Abhinnas are these supernatural realms the Buddha talked about. One which you are probably familiar with involves the ability to recall past lives.
Here in Thailand, there are said to be Buddhist monks that have powers, some of which match the Abhinnas. Thais are very superstitious. They bother the monks for numbers for the lottery! They consult with monks to see if they can tell them anything about their future, or help them to have good luck, good health in the future.
Most Buddhists believe in giving the temples and monks something special to gain favor. Some come to the temple to give food. Some meet the monks on the street to give food every morning. Some give donations of tens of millions of dollars so abbots of gigantic temples can build a big Chedi, a big Buddha, or a new building. Thais fully believe that some monks have the power to make their lives better.
The Abhinnas are said to come out of Jhana 4. Or, more accurately, when someone is getting into Jhana 4 regularly, the person may have some of these Abhinnas start.
There are six Abhinnas.
If you are interested in knowing more about these relatively unknown states of mind, I have some more posts about them here:
- What Is Abhinna?
- My Experiences with Abhinna
- Knowing Hearts and Minds – Abhinna (Abijna, Abhinnanana) experiences
- My “Divine Eye” Experience
- Abhinna Experiment 2019
- Knowing Hearts and Minds | Abhinna Gift
- Meditation, Jhana, Abhinna Experience Overview
- Meditation for Beginners – Secrets for Success Book
- Meditation Journal Entries (Chronological)
- Meditation Topics
- Recalling Past Lives
- Reincarnation and Past Lives
- Supernatural Realms
At least some of the Abhinnas are real. I’ll vouch for them. Others, I haven’t experienced, and cannot vouch for them at all. In particular, one of the Abhinnas is said to give someone the power to move through solid things – walls, etc. It sounds bizarre, I know. I didn’t experience anything like that, and I won’t ask you to believe that anyone else living today has either. However, if the Abhinnas that I’ve experienced are true, are real, and they certainly are… maybe that means they are all real, they are all true.
Anyway, have a look at some of the links above if you have an interest.
🙂 Vern
Very few people reach the Jhana 4 stage. People who do so don’t come on the youtube or website to tell you. They live a different life so to speak
I think you’re right on with that Pascal. I used to say that a lot. I wondered why I couldn’t find someone to talk to directly about the jhanas… and the reason is that while getting jhanas there is really no want to do anything like write a book, make a website, go searching for others that are getting jhana. There’s no desire to talk extensively about experiences that occurred during jhanas.
And also, as I think you’re alluding to, people usually have to practice for years and in a supportive environment. That often means they are monks or nuns or somehow else isolated from society. Hard to find those people for sure!
Thanks for your comment…
Yes, for sure. When I was getting into the jhanas regularly there was this feeling of just pure acceptance of them, and not wanting to talk about them. I couldn’t even get motivated to write each experience down in my computer after a while. The jhanas put one in a different state of mind that sort of keeps the meditator quiet and to him/herself. There is a real solitude about it… a peaceful stillness that stills any wanting or doing or ideas of becoming or accomplishing. Today I haven’t had a jhana meditation session for a while and I can will myself to do things anytime I choose.
Thank you for your comment!
Hi friend. I usually access the fifh abhinna (dibba-cakkhu) after the Second jhana. This happens in days in which im able to access the Second jhana directly without having to pass through the First jhana. What I do is, I wait until the second jhana fades and then I focus on my sight and thats it! Would you mind explaining me How to access the others abhinnas and if possible nirodha samapathi as well, or could you recomend me a book or others source. I tired Of elusive books that dont really teach anything
Hi Paulo, thanks for your comment – I just answered you by email. 😛