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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 ādikalyāį¹‡Ä majjhekalyāį¹‡Ä pariyosānakalyāį¹‡Ä sātthaį¹ƒ sabyaƱjanaį¹ƒ kevalaparipuį¹‡į¹‡aį¹ƒ parisuddhaį¹ƒ brahmacariyaį¹ƒ abhivadanti, tathārÅ«pāssa dhammā bahussutā honti dhātā vacasā paricitā manas-ān-upekkhitā, diį¹­į¹­hiyā suppaį¹­ividdhā.
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.
Catunnaį¹ƒ jhānānaį¹ƒ ābhicetasikānaį¹ƒ diį¹­į¹­hadhammasukhavihārānaį¹ƒ nikāmalābhÄ« hoti akicchalābhÄ« akasiralābhÄ«.
They get the four jhānas—pleasureful meditations in the present life that belong to the higher mind—when they want, without trouble or difficulty.
Āsavānaį¹ƒ khayā anāsavaį¹ƒ cetovimuttiį¹ƒ paƱƱāvimuttiį¹ƒ diį¹­į¹­heva dhamme sayaį¹ƒ abhiƱƱā 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 therakaraį¹‡Ä dhammāti.
These are the four qualities that make a senior.
Yo uddhatena cittena,
The creature with a restless mind
samphaƱca bahu bhāsati;
speaks a lot of nonsense.
A-samāhita-saį¹…kappo,
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
pāpadiį¹­į¹­hi anādaro.


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