The Tree of Enlightenment

absorption are eliminated one by one, we progress step by step
to the fifth form-sphere consciousness. In other words, when we
eliminate initial application, we have the second form-sphere
absorption; when sustained application is removed, we have
the third form-sphere absorption; when interest is removed, we
have the fourth form-sphere absorption; and when happiness is
removed, we have the fifth form-sphere absorption.
ese five types of consciousness are karmically active,
wholesome types of consciousness. In addition, there are five
reactive, resultant and five inactive or functional types of consciousness.
e first five are karmically active and are present in
this life. e second five are the result of the first five; in other
words, cultivation of form-sphere absorption results in rebirth in
the form sphere. e third five are the five form-sphere absorptions
as practiced by the liberated ones (Arhats), who have broken
the bonds of action and reaction; hence the five form-sphere
absorptions are regarded as inactive when practiced by them.
us there are fifteen types of form-sphere consciousness: five
wholesome-active, five resultant, and five inactive.
When one has attained the fifth form-sphere consciousness,
one experiences dissatisfaction with the limited nature of
the form-sphere absorptions. One then progresses to formlesssphere
meditation, again by means of an object of meditation,
commonly one of the ten supports (kasina). One achieves this
transition by extending the support until it covers the infinity of
space, then discarding the support and meditating on the infinity
of space, thereby achieving the first of the formless-sphere
absorptions.
When this is achieved, one progresses to the second
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