Buddha Abhidhamma - Ultimate Science - BuddhaNet

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nimitta is free from all defects; it is very bright and smooth. The
latter may not possess a definite form or colour – “ It is just a
mode of appearance, and is born of perception.”
As soon as the pañibhàga-nimitta arises, the concentration
(samàdhi) reaches a state known as upacàra-samàdhi, i.e., neighbourhood
(or access) concentration. At this stage the five jhàna
factors become distinct and strong; pãti and sukha are so predominant
that the meditator experiences ecstatic joy and bliss
which he has never experienced before.
He now let the pañibhàga-nimitta spread endlessly in all
directions by his will power, and meditates “pañhavã, pañhavã”
as before. Eventually he gains jhàna-samàdhi or appanà-samàdhi
(meditative concentration). At this stage, he can enjoy the calmness,
serenity, joy and bliss of the jhàna again and again as much
as he wishes. If he practices well, he can remain in absorption
or trance for an hour, two hours, a day, two days or up to seven
days. During this absorption, there is a complete, though temporary,
suspension of fivefold sense-activity and of the five
hindrances. The state of consciousness is, however, fully alert
and lucid.
Those, who want to enjoy ecstatic bliss greater than sensual
pleasure, should undertake tranquillity-meditation. There are
some meditation centers in Myanmar, like International Buddha
Sàsana Centres, where proper and systematic guidance is
available for developing concentration up to the jhàna level.
In the first jhàna, all the five jhàna-factors are present. Then
by meditating on the pañibhàga-nimitta of pathavã-kasiõa further
and eliminating the lower jhàna- factors one by one, a person
can attain the higher jhànas. He attains the second jhàna when
vitakka is eliminated, the third jhàna when vicàra is further