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Jhana in Theravada

Jhana is a type of meditation that people practice in the Theravada Buddhist tradition. It's a way to focus your mind and emotions so that you can find inner peace and calmness.

Jhana meditation involves training your mind to reach certain states of concentration. There are eight different stages, or levels, of jhana that people work towards. Each stage involves stronger and stronger levels of concentration.

To reach the first stage, you need to focus on a single object or idea. This can be as simple as your breath, a candle flame, or a specific word or chant. You focus all of your attention on this object, and try to shut out all other distractions.

As you progress to higher levels of jhana, you become more and more absorbed in your meditation. Your mind becomes more powerful, and you're able to let go of negative thoughts and emotions more easily.

Ultimately, the goal of jhana meditation is to achieve a state of complete stillness and tranquility. This can be incredibly challenging, but those who achieve it say that it's one of the most profound experiences of their lives.

Overall, jhana is an important part of Theravada Buddhism, and can be a powerful tool for anyone looking to deepen their spiritual practice or find greater inner peace.