Jhānas are states of deep concentration and meditative absorption that develop when attention is focused on suitable meditative objects. Jhāna practices create conducive conditions for penetrative insight into the nature of mind-body experience, thus facilitating awakening.
Four states of absorption, called the first jhāna, second jhāna, third jhāna, and fourth jhāna, are characterized by sequentially refined qualities of joy, pleasure, equanimity, peace, stability, mental agility, and balance of mind.
In Buddhist traditions, jhānas are always practiced with a foundation of virtuous living and right view that understands the aim of this liberating path.