How to Attain Various Dhyanas

If one can complete the first contemplation in the Sutra on the Meditation of Amitāyus, their meditative concentration has already surpassed access concentration and may even reach the first dhyāna. This is genuine cultivation. Is it easy? It is extremely difficult. Very, very few people can achieve access concentration; it requires relinquishing much of worldly dharmas. To cultivate to the first dhyāna requires subduing and overcoming an immense amount of greed and afflictions, with very few worldly desires. Who can achieve this? Especially for lay practitioners, burdened by such heavy worldly habits. Therefore, do not believe claims of attaining the four dhyānas here and there; achieving access concentration alone is already a significant trial.

Only after subduing worldly desires can one attain access concentration. Only after subduing the desires of desire-realm devas can one attain the concentration of the first dhyāna. If one cannot subdue even the most basic desires, do not expect to achieve reasonably good access concentration. When people crave everything—power, wealth, influence, fame—and seek to show off and draw attention to themselves, how can they attain meditative concentration? With indulgence in fine food, drink, clothing, and pleasures, how can they attain meditative concentration? When preoccupied with every worldly affair, how can they attain meditative concentration? One must connect cultivation to one's own body and mind, to all aspects of body, speech, and mind, constantly comparing and reflecting, continually cultivating and verifying oneself. Only then can one subdue the self, attain meditative concentration, and make continuous progress in spiritual practice.