So the word Mettanussati means recollection, contemplation or meditation on loving-kindness (mettā).
It refers to the practice of repeatedly bringing the feeling of loving-kindness to mind to permeate your consciousness. It is considered a sublime abiding (brahmavihāra)—a way of dwelling that brings peace to both the practitioner and the world around them.
How high can Mettanusati reach in terms of Jhana?
In the context of Buddhist meditation (Kammatthana), Mettanusati (the recollection of loving-kindness) can reach up to the Third Jhana.
While Mettanusati is a powerful tool for concentration, it is traditionally limited by the nature of the emotion it cultivates. Here is the breakdown of why it reaches that specific level:
1. First Jhana: Mettanusati easily leads to the first jhana, characterized by applied thought (vitakka), sustained thought (vicara), rapture (piti), and pleasure (sukha).
2. Second Jhana: As the mind settles, the practitioner drops applied and sustained thought, moving into the second jhana, which is dominated by rapture and internal confidence.
3. Third Jhana: The practitioner further refines the mind by fading away rapture (piti), leaving only a refined sense of pleasure (sukha) and equanimity. This is the highest point achievable through Metta alone.
Why not the Fourth Jhana?
The Fourth Jhana is defined by the complete abandoning of both pleasure and pain, replaced by "purification of mindfulness by equanimity" (upekkhā-satipārisuddhi).
Because Mettanusati is inherently rooted in a feeling of "loving" or "wishing well" (which is a form of subtle mental pleasure or sukha), it cannot transition into the Fourth Jhana. To reach the Fourth Jhana within the Brahmaviharas (Sublime States), a practitioner must switch their object of meditation from Metta (Loving-kindness), Karuna (Compassion), or Mudita (Appreciative Joy) to Upekkha (Equanimity).
Summary of Limits for Brahmaviharas:
- Metta (Loving-kindness): Up to the 3rd Jhana.
- Karuna (Compassion): Up to the 3rd Jhana.
- Mudita (Appreciative Joy): Up to the 3rd Jhana.
- Upekkha (Equanimity): Reaches the 4th Jhana.
Would you like to know the specific steps for transitioning from the third to the fourth jhana using Equanimity?
Transitioning from Mettanusati (Loving-kindness) to the Fourth Jhana requires a shift in both the object of meditation and the underlying mental attitude. As established, Metta can only take you to the Third Jhana because it is rooted in "wishing well," which contains a subtle form of mental pleasure (sukha).
To reach the Fourth Jhana, you must transition to Upekkha (Equanimity). Here are the detailed steps based on the Visuddhimagga and traditional Buddhist commentary:
1. Mastery of the Third Jhana
Before attempting the transition, you must be proficient in the Third Jhana using Metta. This means you can enter the state where:
- Rapture (Piti) has faded away.
- Pleasure (Sukha) and One-pointedness (Ekaggata) are the primary factors.
- The mind is exceptionally calm, but still "warm" with the feeling of loving-kindness.
2. Contemplating the Defects of the Third Jhana
To move higher, you must see the limitations of your current state. In the Third Jhana:
- The "Enemy": The pleasure (sukha) you feel is seen as "gross" or "heavy" compared to the peace of equanimity.
- The Danger: Because pleasure is close to rapture, there is a risk of the mind falling back into excitement.
- The Goal: You recognize that true, unshakable peace only exists when the mind is neutral—neither attracted to pleasure nor repelled by pain.
3. Shifting the Object to Equanimity (Upekkha)
Instead of radiating "May all beings be happy," you change the mental orientation to the Law of Kamma. You reflect on the neutrality of beings:
- The Mantra/Reflection: "All beings are the owners of their deeds (kamma). Their happiness or suffering depends on their own actions, not on my wishes."
- This is not "indifference," but a profound realization of the way things are. It levels the mind, removing the "effort" of wishing for a specific outcome (happiness).
4. Entering the Fourth Jhana
As you focus on this neutral, balanced state:
- Abandoning Pleasure: The mental pleasure (sukha) of Metta subsides.
- Pure Mindfulness: What remains is a state called upekkha-satiparisuddhi—mindfulness purified by equanimity.
- The Breath (Optional): If you began with breath meditation and used Metta as a support, at this stage, the breath often becomes extremely subtle or appears to stop entirely as the mind becomes perfectly still.
Summary of the "Sublime States" (Brahmaviharas)
While Metta is the starting point, the four states function as a ladder:
1. Metta (Loving-kindness): Wishing others well. (Up to 3rd Jhana)
2. Karuna (Compassion): Wishing others to be free from suffering. (Up to 3rd Jhana)
3. Mudita (Appreciative Joy): Rejoicing in others' success. (Up to 3rd Jhana)
4. Upekkha (Equanimity): Accepting the reality of kamma with a balanced mind. (Reaches 4th Jhana)
Why this matters
The Fourth Jhana is considered the "ideal" base for Vipassana (Insight Meditation). Because the mind is perfectly neutral and steady, you can look at the nature of reality (impermanence, suffering, and non-self) without the "filter" of your own emotional preferences or pleasures.
