Human Development
Fourth trance of the fine-material sphere
Description:
[Hinayana Buddhism] This is the last trance in the fine-material sphere (rupaloka). It represents the mind's total overcoming of the lower and higher material realm perceptions of external objects by its absorption inward. Equanimity and concentration (samadhi) remain. The mind, in its first state of absorption, can now enter the immaterial world (arupaloka).[Tibetan Gelugpa Buddhism] The ninth [path of release from below] is the fourth concentration; 7 stages of preparations have led to it. The fourth concentration eliminates the last of the 8 faults, those of inhalation, exhalation and the feeling of bliss. In the 4 concentrations the main activity is that of analytical meditation. A feeling of sinking under the ground is generated by any of the concentrations. When the practitioner passes beyond the fourth concentration and attains the formless absorptions, feelings of bodily flying-off into space are generated.
Context:
This is the last of the 4 [form-concentrations] (dhyana) found in Tibetan Gelugpa Buddhism.< Broader:
Rupaloka consciousnessForm-realm consciousnessTrances and mental absorptionsTibetan meditative states of form concentrations Related:
DhyanaDwelling in the fourth jhana