First Meditative Absorption...
Shabalala Publications - Asanga glosses the term “meditative absorption” in the following manner: The term “meditative absorption” refers to [a state in which the mind] meditates correctly on an object and recollection holds fast [to an object] one-pointedly. The sutras describe each of the four meditative absorptions with a formulaic statement. Asanga glosses each expression that appears in these statements in his Listeners’ Level. The canonical description of the first meditative absorption is as follows: Separated from the objects of desire, separated from evil and nonvirtuous qualities, [the practitioner] achieves and then remains in the first meditative absorption, which is characterized by the joy and ease that are born of separation and is accompanied by deliberation and reflection. Commentarial literature defines the meditative absorptions in terms of their main components or limbs. The first meditative absorption consists of these five limbs: (1) delibe...