[toreesi]

The Nikayas reflect a cross-pollination of brahamical meditation techniques alongside the jhanas, which are an essential aspect of sammasamadhi. Citations are therefore bound to reflect this, so caution is warranted.

Unlike the formless attainments, the jhanas can be characterized by six-sense satisampajanna, the absence of the hindrances, and the development of the seven factors of enlightenment. On this view, anapanasati is the vitakka-vicara of first jhana and is the favored means by which to develop these factors.

This is wholly opposed to the idea that meditation involves single-pointed focus, reduced-sense concentration, and the like. These may provide a wide range of benefits, but it's the sort of meditation which the Bodhisatta rejected.