Let us examine the process

Let us examine this process with the simile of the saw. A person places a tree trunk on level ground and cuts it with a saw. The person’s mindfulness is where the saw’s teeth touch the tree trunk but he/she pays no attention to the teeth as the saw cuts. The tree trunk represents the in-breaths and out-breaths.

Although the person pays attention to the moving saw’s teeth, this mindfulness is established where the teeth touch the trunk. Thus she/he manifests effort, carries out a task, and achieves an effect. This effort is where perceived imperfections are abandoned and applied thoughts are stilled. The effect is where fetters become abandoned.

As jhana factors are achieved, in this type of in-breath and out-breath meditation, it is not long before signs arise in the practitioner. As bodily disturbances are stilled by gradual cessation of gross in-breaths and out-breaths, the mind and the physical body become light. The physical body, at times, may feel that it could leap into the air.

As the practitioner continues with this type of meditation, a stage will occur when his gross in-breaths and out-breaths have ceased, and a state of consciousness occurs with the sign of subtle in-breaths and out-breaths. The breathing will become successively more subtle.

The practitioner must then fix his/her mind on the place normally touched by the breaths, and fix the sign as thus:”This is the place where they strike.” The sign described here differs with individuals. For some, it may be a light touch like cotton, or silk- cotton, or a draught. For others, it appears like a star or a cluster of gems or pearls.

Still yet for others, it may have a rough touch like silk cotton seeds, a peg made of hard wood, a long bright string, a wreath of flowers, a film of cloud, a lotus flower, a chariot wheel, or a moon or sun disk.

When such sign appear, the practitioner should fix his/her mind on the sign and anchor his/her mind upon breathing in and out.

When the sign appears, the five hindrances are suppressed, mindfulness is established, and consciousness becomes concentrated.

As the practitioner continues fixing upon the sign, four –fold jhana may be achieved. The fourth jhana is supreme because mental energy can be unveiled to benefit humankind.