A series of progressively more subtle states of meditative realization or attainment. There are several presentations of these found in the canonical literature. One of the most common is as follows: (1) One observes form while the mind dwells at the level of the form realm. (2) One observes forms externally while discerning formlessness internally. (3) One dwells in the direct experience of the body’s pleasant aspect. (4) One dwells in the realization of the sphere of infinite space by transcending all conceptions of matter, resistance, and diversity. (5) Transcending the sphere of infinite space, one dwells in the realization of the sphere of infinite consciousness. (6) Transcending the sphere of infinite consciousness, one dwells in the realization of the sphere of nothingness. (7) Transcending the sphere of nothingness, one dwells in the realization of the sphere of neither perception nor nonperception. (8) Transcending the sphere of neither perception and nonperception, one dwells in the realization of the cessation of conception and feeling.

The liberation of form observing form, the liberation of the formless observing form, the liberation of observing beauty, the liberation of infinite space, the liberation of infinite consciousness, the liberation of nothing whatsoever, the liberation of neither presence nor absence of perception, and the liberation of cessation.

The first three liberations occur within the form realm: (1) liberation of the embodied looking at form (gzugs can gzugs la blta ba’i rnam thar), (2) liberation of the formless looking at a form (gzugs med gzugs la blta ba’i rnam thar), and (3) liberation through beautiful form (sdug pa’i rnam par thar pa); and the latter five occur within the formless realm: (4) liberation of infinite space (nam mkha’ mtha’ yas kyi rnam thar), (5) liberation of infinite consciousness (rnam shes mtha’ yas kyi rnam thar), (6) liberation of nothingness (ci yang med pa’i rnam thar), (7) liberation of the peak of existence (srid rtsi’i rnam thar), and (8) liberation of cessation (’gog pa’i rnam thar).

The first consists of the seeing of form by one who has form; the second consists of the seeing of external form by one with the concept of internal formlessness; the third consists of the physical realization of pleasant liberation and its successful consolidation; the fourth consists of the full entrance to the infinity of space through transcending all conceptions of matter, and the subsequent decline of conceptions of resistance and discredit of conceptions of diversity; the fifth consists of full entrance into the infinity of consciousness, having transcended the infinity of space; the sixth consists of the full entrance into the sphere of nothingness, having transcended the sphere of the infinity of conscious­ness; the seventh consists of the full entrance into the sphere of neither conscious­ness nor un­conscious­ness, having transcended the sphere of nothingness; the eighth consists of the perfect cessation of suffering, having transcended the sphere of neither conscious­ness nor un­conscious­ness. Thus the first three liberations form specific links to the ordinary perceptual world; the fourth to seventh are equivalent to the four absorptions; and the eighth represents the highest attainment.

A series of progressively more subtle states of meditative realization or attainment. There are several presentations of these found in the canonical literature. One of the most common is as follows: (1) One observes form while the mind dwells at the level of the form realm. (2) One observes forms externally while discerning formlessness internally. (3) One dwells in the direct experience of the body’s pleasant aspect. (4) One dwells in the realization of the sphere of infinite space by transcending all conceptions of matter, resistance, and diversity. (5) Transcending the sphere of infinite space, one dwells in the realization of the sphere of infinite consciousness. (6) Transcending the sphere of infinite consciousness, one dwells in the realization of the sphere of nothingness. (7) Transcending the sphere of nothingness, one dwells in the realization of the sphere of neither perception nor nonperception. (8) Transcending the sphere of neither perception and nonperception, one dwells in the realization of the cessation of conception and feeling.

The liberation of form observing form, the liberation of the formless observing form, the liberation of observing beauty, the liberation of infinite space, the liberation of infinite consciousness, the liberation of nothing whatsoever, the liberation of neither presence nor absence of perception, and the liberation of cessation.

Eight stages in the pursuit of liberation. One common formulation of these stages is: (1) the liberation of viewing form while internally possessing the notion of form; (2) the liberation of viewing form while internally free from the notion of form; (3) the liberation of observing the sublime; (4) the liberation of the sensory sphere of infinite space; (5) the liberation of the sensory sphere of infinite consciousness; (6) the liberation of the sensory sphere of nothingness; (7) the liberation of the sensory sphere in which there are neither concepts nor the absence of concepts; (8) the liberation of the cessation of concepts and feelings.

Included among the fifty-five types of virtuous phenomena, the first three occur within the form realm (gzugs kyi rnam par thar pa gsum): (1) the liberation of the embodied looking at a form (gzugs can gzugs la blta ba’i rnam thar), (2) liberation of the formless looking at a form (gzugs med gzugs la blta ba’i rnam thar), (3) liberation through beautiful form (sdug pa’i rnam par thar pa), and the latter five occur within the formless realm: (4) liberation of infinite space (nam mkha’ mtha’ yas kyi rnam thar), (5) liberation of infinite consciousness (rnam shes mtha’ yas kyi rnam thar), (6) liberation of nothingness (ci yang med pa’i rnam thar), (7) liberation of the peak of existence (srid rtsi’i rnam thar), and (8) liberation of cessation (’gog pa’i rnam thar) (Rigzin 236, 239).

The eight aspects of liberation ensue (1) when corporeal beings observe physical forms [in order to compose the mind]; (2) when formless beings endowed with internal perception observe external physical forms; (3) when beings are inclined toward pleasant states; (4) and when one achieves and dwells in the sphere of infinite space, thinking, ‘Space is infinite.’ (5) The fifth ensues when one achieves and dwells in the sphere of infinite consciousness, thinking, ‘Consciousness is infinite.’ (6) The sixth is when one achieves and dwells in the sphere of nothing-at-all, thinking, ‘There is nothing at all.’ (7) The seventh is when one achieves and dwells in the sphere of neither perception nor nonperception. (8) The eighth is when one achieves and dwells in the cessation of all perceptions and feelings. See UT22084-026-001-1316 and UT22084-026-001-1641.

The eight aspects of liberation ensue: (1) when corporeal beings observe physical forms [in order to compose the mind]; (2) when formless beings endowed with internal perception observe external physical forms; (3) when beings are inclined toward pleasant states; (4) when one achieves and abides in the sense field of infinite space, thinking, ‘Space is infinite.’ (5) The fifth ensues when one achieves and abides in the sense field of infinite consciousness, thinking, ‘Consciousness is infinite.’ (6) The sixth is when one achieves and abides in the sense field of nothing-at-all, thinking, ‘There is nothing at all.’ (7) The seventh is when one achieves and abides in the sense field of neither perception nor non-perception. (8) The eighth is when one achieves and abides in the cessation of all perceptions and feelings.

A series of progressively more subtle states of meditative realization or attainment. There are several presentations of these found in the canonical literature. One of the most common is as follows: (1) One observes form while the mind dwells at the level of the form realm. (2) One observes form externally while discerning formlessness internally. (3) One dwells in the direct experience of the body’s pleasant aspect. (4) One dwells in the realization of the sphere of infinite space by transcending all conceptions of matter, resistance, and diversity. (5) Transcending the sphere of infinite space, one dwells in the realization of the sphere of infinite consciousness. (6) Transcending the sphere of infinite consciousness, one dwells in the realization of the sphere of nothing whatsoever. (7) Transcending the sphere of nothing whatsoever, one dwells in the realization of the sphere of neither perception nor nonperception. (8) Transcending the sphere of neither perception and nonperception, one dwells in the realization of the cessation of conception and feeling.

The eight deliverances are explained in UT23703-093-001-15398–UT23703-093-001-15407 on khri brgyad UT22084-029-001-1633–UT22084-029-001-1641.

The emancipation of form observing form, the emancipation of the formless observing form, the emancipation of observing beauty, the emancipation of infinite space, the emancipation of infinite consciousness, the emancipation of nothing whatsoever, the emancipation of neither the presence nor the absence of perception, and the emancipation of cessation.