Immaterial states as meditation subjects (Buddhism)

The four immaterial states or formless realms are: sphere of boundless or unlimited space; sphere of boundless or unlimited consciousness; sphere of nothingness; sphere of neither perception nor non-perception. The meditator has already surmounted gross physical matter by entering the fourth jhana in any one of the kasinas except the limited-space kasina. However, because the kasina has materiality as its object (this materiality being viewed with dispassion or disgust), and because joy is its near enemy, he now approaches the immaterial states and the four jhanas associated with them.

Having spread out the kasina, attention is given to the space touched by it and the kasina is removed. With practice, mastery is achieved. Boundless space is then seen as being to close to fine-material jhana and boundless consciousness is seen as more peaceful. Attention is then on boundless consciousness pervading space and having boundless space as its object. Striking it with applied and sustained thought, first the mind becomes concentrated in access then, with further practice, in absorption. Having obtained mastery in the five ways again, the meditator goes on to the sphere of nothingness and finally to the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception.