AN 4.22 V&V and upekkha, in samadhi

upekkha is a factor in 3rd and 4th jhana. The difference between its usage here, and in jhana, is that in jhana the ikkhati (looking upon), is powered by samadhi, upa-ikkhati = equanimously observing.

sankappo (often synonymous with  vitakka/thinking). Look at it's usage with samadhi, in close proximity to speaking. Even ordinary speaking clearly and thinking clearly is under the provenance of samadhi. There's isn't a special vitakka of only "placing the mind", devoid of thought for jhana. Don't believe the lies from Vism.

AN 4.22 excerpt

Bahussuto hoti sutadharo sutasannicayo, ye te dhammā ādikalyāṇā majjhekalyāṇā pariyosānakalyāṇā sātthaṃ sabyañjanaṃ kevalaparipuṇṇaṃ parisuddhaṃ brahmacariyaṃ abhivadanti, tathārūpāssa dhammā bahussutā honti dhātā vacasā paricitā manas-ān-upekkhitā, diṭṭhiyā suppaṭividdhā.	They’re very learned, remembering and keeping what they’ve learned. These teachings are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased, describing a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. They are very learned in such teachings, remembering them, reinforcing them by recitation, mentally scrutinizing them, and comprehending them theoretically.
Catunnaṃ jhānānaṃ ābhicetasikānaṃ diṭṭhadhammasukhavihārānaṃ nikāmalābhī hoti akicchalābhī akasiralābhī.	They get the four jhānas—pleasureful meditations in the present life that belong to the higher mind—when they want, without trouble or difficulty.
Āsavānaṃ khayā anāsavaṃ cetovimuttiṃ paññāvimuttiṃ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṃ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati.	They realize the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life. And they live having realized it with their own insight due to the ending of defilements.
Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro therakaraṇā dhammāti.	These are the four qualities that make a senior.
Yo uddhatena cittena,	The creature with a restless mind
samphañca bahu bhāsati;	speaks a lot of nonsense.
A-samāhita-saṅkappo,	Their resolves are not-undistracted-&-not-lucid (samadhi),
asaddhammarato mago;	and they don’t like the true teaching.
Ārā so thāvareyyamhā,	They’re far from seniority, with their bad views
pāpadiṭṭhi anādaro.