notes on the Dhamma

(refrain: do Jhāna! Dont’ be heedless!) (SN 43) Iti kho, bhikkhave, So, monks, desitaṃ vo mayā a-saṅkhataṃ, I’ve taught you the un-conditioned (and) desito a-saṅkhata-gāmi-maggo. I’ve taught you the path that leads to the unconditioned. Yaṃ, bhikkhave, satthārā karaṇīyaṃ Monks, (what a) teacher should-do sāvakānaṃ hitesinā anukampakena anukampaṃ upādāya, (for the) disciples, out of compassion, kataṃ vo taṃ mayā. done that I have. Etāni, bhikkhave, rukkha-mūlāni, Here, monks, are tree-roots. etāni suññ'-āgārāni. Here, (are these) empty-huts. Jhāyatha, bhikkhave, (Practice) jhāna, monks! mā pamādattha; Don’t (be) negligent! mā pacchā vippaṭisārino ahuvattha. Don’t later regret it! Ayaṃ vo amhākaṃ anu-sāsanīti. This is my instruction to you.” (there's more references than this, need to figure out the various conjugations for jhaayatha) jhāyatha (13) nijjhāyatha (1) jhāyathānanda (3) DN MN MN 1 , 1. mūlapariyāy

Conclusion To cut to the chase, the best meditation cushion I've ever sat on, and I've tried more options than most people can even imagine, is a combination of using a yoga wedge, and the thermarest.  Other inflatable air cushions the same dimensions as the thermarest work just as well. Thermarest, I've been using their camping 6' long sleeping pad (same foam inflatable material as seat cushion, but single camping bed size) for decades. I sleep on one every night, ucca sayana, maha sayana to the limit baby, so I'm quite happy with their brand and quality.  I tested all of these setups for at least 2 hour long sits in full lotus. Sitting for 30min, it's not easy to discern smaller differences, but after 2 hours, if there are problems you'll know. video explanation for the thermarest, klymit, yoga... wedge Klymit has lifetime replacement warranty And the model I bought was a closeout 50% discount.  The Klymit cushion 12.5 x 14 x 1.5"

Jhāna means 'meditation'. Notice the Buddha uses the same word 'jhana' to describe the four jhanas in AN 1.394-AN 1.397, as he does in all of these other activities. These suttas are elided by most translators. I've expanded out so you can see clearly the range of 'jhana', and what being in jhana and what doing jhana means. AN 1 suttas on jhāna AN 1.53 jhāna = mettā-cittaṃ āsevati AN 1.54 jhāna = mettā-cittaṃ bhāveti AN 1.55 jhāna = mettā-cittaṃ manasi karoti AN 1.394 jhāna = develops first jhāna AN 1.395 jhāna = develops second jhāna AN 1.396 jhāna = develops third jhāna AN 1.397 jhāna = develops fourth jhāna AN 1.398 jhāna = develops 4bv☮️ metta AN 1.399 jhāna = develops 4bv☮️ karuna AN 1.400 jhāna = develops 4bv☮️ mudita AN 1.401 jhāna = develops 4bv☮️ upekkha AN 1.402 jhāna = develops 4sp kāya anu-passi AN 1.403 jhāna = develops 4sp vedana anu-passi AN 1.404 jhāna = develops 4sp citta anu-passi AN 1.405 jhāna = develops 4sp Dhamma a