Trances and mental absorptions (Buddhism)

Concentration of the mind allows it to enter the fine-material (rupaloka) sphere where it may progressively experience 4 trance states. Beyond this the trances may progress into the immaterial (arupaloka) sphere and 4 additional stages of absorption. The jhana lead to mundane and supermundane (lokuttara) insights or immediate intuitive knowledge (vipassana). Some 18 chief kinds of insight are enumerated.

In southern Buddhism, bhavana (yoga) with its mental trances and absorptions produces insight or wisdom (panna), tranquillity (samatha) and the gnosis of light (samadhi). The fourth trance of the five-material sphere is also the starting point for the development of the 6 kinds of higher spiritual forces (abhinna) and the roads to power (iddhi-pada).