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What is Jhana?

Jhana is an ancient word from the Pali language that refers to a realm of experience that feels immensely joyful. It’s a state of being that people can shift into. Jhana is breathtakingly pleasurable. Many think it’s better than sex or drugs. It’s a whole-bodied pleasure that can last for hours. And, as a bonus, instead of giving you a hangover or leaving you tired and depleted, it nourishes you and can help improve all areas of your life–your health, relationships, career, and your aspirations. 

What does Jhana depend on?

Happiness! Someone once asked the Buddha: “what does Jhana depend on?” His answer was: happiness. This is a very important point. The road to Jhana entails learning how to point your mind toward enjoyment. Enjoying is a skill that can be developed. When we listen deeply to our hearts, we can distinguish between what brings us well-being and what robs us of our innate joyfulness. Then, we enthusiastically pursue what nourishes our being, bringing more happiness to our lives. In a way, you have nothing to lose by cultivating Jhana. The worst case scenario is that you come up short, and you’re left with happiness. More likely, if you persist, you can learn how to become so happy, that the happiness matures into Jhanic happiness, which is a much higher level of happiness than what we are used to. 

Is it really hard to get Jhana?

Jhana is conditional. If you develop the conditions that cause Jhana, you get it! If you don’t, you won’t! I do not believe it is complicated or hard, but some people tend to make it complicated and hard. A lot of this has to do with how you view Jhana. In other words, it can be easy and it is very doable. Moreover, it is worth pursuing. The road to Jhana is joyful, and the results are even more joyful. 

Can anyone get Jhana?

Jhana is not a foreign experience that is only available to monks and yogis. It is a natural, human experience that arises when the mind is not being harassed by mental ailments like aversion, dullness, restlessness, doubt, and a sense of lacking. In fact, Jhana is available to children! Anyone can experience Jhana, if they open their hearts and learn how to deeply enjoy.

Is Jhana religious? 

Identifying with a particular religion is not a condition or requirement for Jhana. Jhana is described in many religions but it is not a religious experience. It does not matter what age, religious background, or level of meditation experience you have. I believe that millions of people across various religious and secular leanings have experienced Jhana throughout thousands of years of human history, by simply learning how to develop the conditions that give rise to it.

What are Ranga’s qualifications?

Learn more about Ranga here. Ranga has been fortunate enough to learn from some amazing meditation masters, including Rob Burbea, Ajahn Sona, Bhante G, Ajahn Brahm, Yahel Avigur, Leta Herman, and Willa Thaniya Reid. He continues to learn from the work of teachers such as Ajaan Lee, Ajahn Chah, Ajahn Buddhadasa, Santikaro, and many others. Ranga has been practicing meditation for over 20 years and has a lifetime of learning from Buddhist (and a few Daoist) meditation masters. His teaching style entails bringing the ancient wisdom of the Buddha to the modern ear, through personal stories and contemporary similes. Rather than offering a singular, rigid view, he believes that we each hold the authority to find our authentic path in life and to deeply free ourselves up from worrying, anger, doubt, dullness, and a sense of lacking. As such, he approaches his role as a teacher with an open heart; open to all the particularities, experiences, and uniqueness of each student.