Four dhyanas
Four dhyanas (Tib. བསམ་གཏན་བཞི་པ་, Wyl. bsam gtan bzhi) — the four levels of dhyana, corresponding to the four levels of the form realm. Khenpo Pema Vajra says:
- The first dhyana level which is accomplished in this way has five features: conception, discernment, joy, physical wellbeing and samadhi.
- The second dhyana, which is even more peaceful, has four features: the perfect clarity in which conception and discernment have been relinquished, joy, physical wellbeing and samadhi.
- The third dhyana, which is more peaceful still, has five features: equanimity in which the concept of joy has been abandoned, mindfulness, watchful awareness, physical wellbeing and samadhi.
- The fourth dhyana, which is called the ultimate dhyana because it is yet more peaceful, has four features: the neutral sensation in which the sensation of physical wellbeing has been abandoned, mindfulness, the mental formation of equanimity, and samadhi.