I came across this on Leigh Brasingtons website (see end of post)
What do seekers think of this indication of what it is like in Jhana, does it match your experience?
"Bhikkhus, these ten are thorns. What ten?
"To one who wants seclusion, company is a thorn. To one developing the sign of loathsomeness, an agreeable sign is a thorn. To one protected in the mental faculties, sight seeing is a thorn. To a man leading a celebate life, the behavior of a woman is a torn. To one in the first jhana, sounds are a thorn. To one in the second jhana, thinking and examining are a thorn. To one in the third jhana, piti is a thorn. To one in the fourth jhana, in breathing and out breathing is a thorn. To one attaining the cessation of perceptions and feelings, perceptions and feelings are a thorn. Greed is a thorn. Hate is a thorn and delusion is a thorn.
Anguttara Nikaya 10.72
Kantakasuttam Sutta -- Thorns
72. At one time The Blessed One was abiding in the gabled hall in the Great Forest in Vesali with many well-known elder, disciple bhikkhus such as venerables Cala, Upacala, Kukkuta, Kalimbha, Nikata, Katissa and other well-known elder bhikkhus.
At that time many well-known Licchavis in completely full chariots were coming to the Great Forest to see The Blessed One, making much noise. Then it occured to those venerable ones: "These well-known Licchavis in completely full chariots, are coming to the Great Forest to see The Blessed One, making much noise. The Blessed One has said that sound is a thorn to the higher states of the mind. What if we go to the Gosinga forest reserve. It has less noise, not so crowded, we will have a pleasant abiding." Then those venerable ones went to the Gosinga forest reserve which had less noise, was less crowded and had a pleasant abiding.
The Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, where are the elder bhikkhus, Cala, Upacala, Kukkuta, Kalimbha, Nikata, Katissa. Where are these elder bhikkhus gone?"
"Here, venerable sir, it occured to those venerable ones: These well-known Licchavis in completely full chariots, are coming to the Great Forest to see The Blessed One, making much noise. The Blessed One has said that sound is a thorn to the higher states of the mind. What if we go to the Gosinga forest reserve. It has less noise, not so crowded, we will have a pleasant abiding Then those venerable ones went to the Gosinga forest reserve which has less noise, is less crowded and has a pleasant abiding."
"Bhikkhus, the great elders have said it correctly! Rightly saying sound is a thorn for the higher states of the mind.
"Bhikkhus, these ten are thorns. What ten?
"To one who wants seclusion, company is a thorn. To one developing the sign of loathsomeness, an agreeable sign is a thorn. To one protected in the mental faculties, sight seeing is a thorn. To a man leading a celebate life, the behavior of a woman is a torn. To one in the first jhana, sounds are a thorn. To one in the second jhana, thinking and examining are a thorn. To one in the third jhana, piti is a thorn. To one in the fourth jhana, in breathing and out breathing is a thorn. To one attaining the cessation of perceptions and feelings, perceptions and feelings are a thorn. Greed is a thorn. Hate is a thorn and delusion is a thorn.
"Bhikkhus, live without thorns, free from thorns. Bhikkhus, the worthy ones are without thorns, free from thorns."
