Here is something I found from the Visuddhimagga that I think will be useful for anyone trying to attain Jhana. It talks about how to reestablish one’s jhana attainment if lost or strengthen it if it is weak. It also takes about why one’s jhana doesn’t last long and how one can increase the duration. It says long duration occurs only when the factors obstructing concentration are thoroughly purified.
Establishing Long Duration
(Ciraṭṭhitisampādanaṃ)
76.
When this (jhāna) has been attained in this way, the meditator should examine the conditions like:
- a hair-splitting archer,
- and like a skilled cook.
The Archer Simile
Just as a highly skilled archer shooting at a hair:
When he succeeds in piercing the hair, he carefully notes:
- the position of his feet,
- the bow,
- the bowstring,
- the arrow.
He reflects:
“Standing like this, holding the bow like this, string like this, arrow like this — the hair was pierced.”
From then on, reproducing those same conditions, he can pierce the hair again without fail.
Likewise for the Meditator
Similarly, the meditator should reflect:
“Having eaten this kind of food,
associating with this kind of person,
dwelling in this kind of lodging,
using this posture,
at this time —
I attained this state.”
He should carefully note:
- food suitability,
- person suitability,
- dwelling suitability,
- posture,
- timing.
If he does so:
- when the attainment is lost, he can re-establish it by recreating those conditions;
- if it is weak, he can strengthen it;
- he can repeatedly enter absorption again and again.
The Skilled Cook Simile
Just as a skilled cook serving a king:
He observes which flavors the king enjoys:
- sour,
- bitter,
- pungent,
- sweet,
- salty,
- unsalted, etc.
He notes:
“Today my lord prefers this flavor.
He takes much of this.
He praises this.”
From then on, by serving accordingly, he gains reward and favor.
Likewise the Meditator
So too:
At the moment of attainment, the meditator should note the supporting conditions.
Recreating them, he becomes one who repeatedly attains absorption.
Therefore, like the archer and the cook, one should carefully grasp the conditions.
The Buddha’s Simile (SN 5.374)
The Buddha said:
Just as a wise, skilled cook carefully notes the king’s preferences and thereby gains clothing, wages, and reward—
So too a wise, skilled monk:
- contemplates body in body,
- feelings in feelings,
- mind in mind,
- phenomena in phenomena,
ardent, clearly knowing, mindful, having removed covetousness and grief.
As he contemplates:
- his mind becomes concentrated,
- defilements are abandoned,
- he learns the sign (nimitta) of his own mind.
Such a monk gains:
- pleasant abiding here and now,
- mindfulness and clear comprehension.
Why?
Because he learns the sign of his own mind.
Why Absorption May Not Last Long
Even if he learns the nimitta and reproduces the conditions, only absorption itself arises — but it does not last long.
Long duration occurs only when the factors obstructing concentration are thoroughly purified.
If Hindrances Are Not Fully Cleared
If a monk:
- does not thoroughly suppress sense-desire by reflecting on the danger of sensuality,
- does not thoroughly calm bodily restlessness through bodily tranquility,
- does not remove sloth and torpor through energizing attention,
- does not uproot restlessness and remorse through attention to calm,
- does not purify the other obstacles to concentration,
and then enters jhāna,
he is like:
- a bee entering an impure hive,
- a king entering an unclean park—
he quickly comes out again.
If Hindrances Are Thoroughly Cleared
But one who thoroughly purifies the obstructing states before entering jhāna
is like:
- a bee entering a well-cleaned hive,
- a king entering a well-prepared park—
he remains inside absorption for the whole day.
Thus the ancient teachers said:
Remove desire for sensual pleasures and ill will,
Remove restlessness, sloth, and doubt;
With a mind gladdened by seclusion,
One delights there like a king in a purified palace.
Therefore
One who desires long duration should purify the obstructing states before entering jhāna.
Expanding the Counterpart Sign (For Kasina)
For the sake of expanding mental development, one should enlarge the counterpart sign (paṭibhāga-nimitta) as obtained.
There are two grounds for expansion:
- in access concentration,
- or in absorption.
It is permissible to enlarge it after attaining access, or after attaining absorption.
But at least at one of these stages it must certainly be enlarged.
Therefore it is said:
“The counterpart sign as obtained should be developed (enlarged).”