Lately there are a number of different groups calling this or that Jhana. Originally, there were 2 basic views on the Jhanas – the Sutta vs. the Visuddhimagga Jhanas. Not being Buddhist, I tend to step away from these labels and call them the Light and Deep Jhanas.
Please note – There is a lot of superstition surrounding the Deep Jhanas. Some think it is god-given. Others think you must enter through a Buddhist process. Some think your karma must be in order. Others think thousands of hours of meditation are necessary to reach Jhana.
None of these are true. Deep Jhana is a mind process that is inside each of us – whether we even know about Buddhism, karma, past lives, or anything else. It resides in some part of the mind that is accessed with perfect concentration on your object of meditation. It unfolds gradually as you let go of your ego and the fear of letting go of your ego, who you are, what you are, and even if you are (if you exist).
Light Jhanas (Sutta Jhanas)
Most people are talking about these types of Jhanas when they speak about Jhana. These are more common than the Deep Jhanas. There appear to be a number of different ways to reach these Sutta Jhanas. There are even mobile apps out now that are claiming to be able to assist you getting into the Light Jhanas and walk you through them, including sessions where you can do insight meditation while IN one of the Jhanas.
• Sutta-based – Derived from the Pali Canon (Suttas), particularly early texts like the Majjhima and Digha Nikayas.
• More accessible states – This type of Jhanas are often described as states of heightened mindfulness where concentration and awareness remain present. Practitioners are still aware of their surroundings and can reflect, and can hear other people as they are walked through different levels of the Sutta Jhanas.
• Non-absorptive – The mind isn’t fully absorbed or withdrawn from sensory experiences in these Jhanas. There’s still a subtle awareness of external sounds, sensations, and/or thoughts in the background.
• Mindfulness prominent – Mindfulness is strong throughout the process. The practitioner can watch the flow of thoughts, sensations, and feelings without being overwhelmed or lost in the state. The mind can be accessed and used for thought and insight.
• Gradual transition between Jhanas – The transition from one Jhana to the next feels more fluid, with awareness and mindfulness being present throughout.
• Focus on ease and comfort – These states are often described as more comfortable and easy to access, with the emphasis on ease and balance rather than complete withdrawal from all sensations.
• Retaining reflective thought – Even in the higher Light Jhanas, reflective thought (vitakka-vicara) might not fully disappear but become very refined and subtle.
Deep Jhanas (Visuddhimagga Jhanas)
Perfect concentration on the feeling of the breath in the nose can lead to deeper states of concentration that can begin the Deep Jhanas. These are marked by a feeling of being locked-in to the Jhana and having only the Jhana experience present. There is a lack of any sensory input in these Jhanas. These Jhanas were written about by Buddhagosa years after the Suttas were written. Some people discount these Deep Jhanas because they are quite difficult to reach with traditional methods. I share an easier method for reaching these Jhanas in my coaching sessions, books, and videos.
• Visuddhimagga-based – Based on the Visuddhimagga, a later Theravāda meditation manual that emphasizes a more rigid, defined structure of concentration.
• Absorptive states – These Jhanas are deep absorption states where the mind is fully withdrawn from the senses. There’s no awareness of the outside world—no sensory input can interrupt from the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, or sense of touch.
• Complete absorption – The practitioner experiences a total immersion in the meditation object, with no awareness of body sensations or surroundings. The mind becomes fixed on a single point, then this concentration is used to focus on different things in order to initiate the Deep Jhanas.
• Loss of mindfulness – Mindfulness, as it’s generally understood, becomes secondary, and even absent.
• Sharp transition between Jhanas – Moving between Jhanas is more distinct and defined, with very clear shifts between different levels of concentration.
• Rigorous concentration – There’s a much stronger focus on building up extremely high levels of concentration to enter these states, which seems to make them harder to access.
• Thought and reflection completely cease – In the deep Jhanas, discursive thought (vitakka-vicara) completely ceases early on, replaced by pure concentration.
Summary of Differences
• Accessibility – Sutta Jhanas are more accessible and fluid, while Visuddhimagga Jhanas require deep, focused concentration through a very specific process that seems to have little room for error.
• Absorption – Sutta Jhanas allow for subtle awareness of external stimuli, while Visuddhimagga Jhanas are states of complete absorption in which the meditator is only aware of what is in the present Jhana.
• Mindfulness – Sutta Jhanas maintain mindfulness, while Visuddhimagga Jhanas are more focused on concentration, often at the expense of mindfulness.
• Transitions – The transition between Sutta Jhanas is more gradual and continuous, whereas Visuddhimagga Jhanas have transitions that seem more well defined, more objective.
• Reflection – In Sutta Jhanas, there’s a refined, subtle level of reflection, whereas in Visuddhimagga Jhanas, reflective thought stops completely early on. After coming out of the Deep Jhana, the meditator experiences a sometimes lengthy period of peaceful mind that can last for days. One need not do any specific insight during this time, and changes to the person, to the ego, result anyway.
How Does Deep Jhana Change You?
I recently began offering “Jhana meditation coaching calls“ – 30 to 120 minute calls.