You cannot attain jhana without a sense of peace and contentment with your life as it is. Striving to make your life radically other than it actually and presently is will interfere with steady movement toward jhana. Such striving is a form of living for the imagined future; jhana grows out of living in the now. You have to find your present conditions suitable and sufficient or you will always be yearning. You must be content with your food, clothing, and lodging. You need to find contentment in all the situations that arise in your life.
To achieve jhana, one must cultivate a sense of peace and contentment with their current life circumstances. Striving for a radically different existence can hinder progress towards this meditative state, as such a mindset focuses on an imagined future rather than the present. It’s essential to recognize and appreciate the present conditions in order to avoid constant longing and dissatisfaction.
This contentment extends to all aspects of life, including basic needs like food, clothing, and housing. Embracing each situation that arises and finding satisfaction in it is crucial. True jhana comes from a state of acceptance and tranquility in the here and now, which fosters deeper meditation and awareness.
