[sasquatch999]

I have undertaken to again revisit Nibanna and what it means.

So, In the Ittivutaka, the Buddha mentions "The Unborn", here it is:

"There exists, monks, that which is unborn, that which is unbecome, that which is uncreated, that which is unconditioned."

hi Stefos

the "Unborn" is certainly one definition of Nibbana but, more simply, the Nikayas also define Nibbana as the cessation of greed, hatred & delusion. therefore, the mind without greed, hatred & delusion experiences the unborn (of non-becoming) and remaining unconditioned by greed, hatred & delusion.

the more simple definition of Nibbana may make the more esoteric definition of Nibbana more clear

Now, My understanding is that in Theravada and in the pre "18 schools period" the 4 brahmaviharas are mentioned as meditations, metta-bhavana, the kasinas and jhanas are mentioned also. However, the Buddha mentoned Vipassana as the meditation of release from Samsara, I believe. If Vipassana is the meditation of release from Samsara, how do the rest of the meditational "topics" per se meet with that towards a Nibbana goal?

'Vipassana' means 'clearly seeing' the impermanence (rise & fall; appearance & disappearance), unsatisfactoriness & selflessness of phenomema. Jhana (mental stillness, purity & clarity) enables excellent vipassana to occur because if the mind cannot remain constantly clear, then constantly seeing the impermanence of mental objects cannot occur.

Jhana also causes certain mental objects (such as feelings) to manifest in way that is more pronounced than normal and therefore allows the true nature of these mental objects (such as feelings) to be seen more clearly.

the 4 brahmaviharas simply (but indirectly) help develop jhana because ill-will/hatred/anger/etc are obstacles to jhana. but to develop jhana, the mind must practise more than just the 4 brahmaviharas. the mind must also practise letting go

kind regards