Appearance of absorption (Buddhism)

Guiding the mind and confronting the subject of meditation (for example, the earth kasina), there is a knowledge that absorption will succeed. Mind-door adverting arises with the same kasina as object, cutting the life continuum or subconsciousness. Then follow four or five flashes of apperception, the last of the fine-material sphere or form-realm of the jhana to be entered, the others from the realm of sense. These latter have, nevertheless, stronger applied and sustained thought, happiness, bliss and unification of mind than usual. The first may be preliminary work, the second access, the third conformity and the third change of lineage, as it transcends the sphere of the senses; the fifth, in the fine material sphere, is absorption consciousness, when absorption is fixed. The first may be omitted, as is the case when there are four flashes.