When you are totally absorbed in the subject of your meditation, when you merge with or become one with the subject, you are completely unaware. That too is not jhana, at least not what Buddhism considers "right jhana." In right jhana, you may be unaware of the outside world, but you are completely aware of what is going on within.
The quote emphasizes the distinction between being absorbed in meditation and achieving a proper state of jhana as understood in Buddhism. When practitioners are deeply engrossed in their meditation subject, they may lose awareness of the external world. However, this state doesn't align with the concept of "right jhana," where internal awareness is paramount. In this ideal state, individuals might not notice external distractions but maintain a keen awareness of their internal experiences.
According to Henepola Gunaratana, achieving right jhana involves a balance between external oblivion and internal mindfulness. While practitioners may experience a sense of unity with their meditation focus, true jhana requires a deep understanding of one's inner thoughts and feelings. This reflects the broader Buddhist goal of mindfulness, which encourages profound, conscious engagement with one's inner state rather than merely escaping into distraction.
