On the Mind’s Levels of Becoming

1. A mind whose underlying preoccupation is coupled with sadness or pain is bound for rebirth in the four realms of deprivation.

2. A mind whose underlying preoccupation is coupled with a low level of pleasure and happiness is bound for rebirth on the human level.

3. A mind whose underlying preoccupation is coupled with a stronger level of pleasure and happiness is bound for rebirth in the heavenly realms.

4. A mind whose underlying preoccupation is coupled with the level of pleasure and happiness that arises from concentration—i.e., the strong sense of rapture that arises from jhāna—is bound for rebirth in the Brahmā worlds on the level of form.

5. A mind whose underlying preoccupation is coupled with a subtle level of equanimity, with no form appearing as the sign or focal point of concentration, is bound for rebirth in the Brahmā worlds on the formless level.

Thus the differing levels of tranquility can lead to different results.

All of this refers to the aspects of the mind that arise, decay, and disappear. These aspects arise through the power of two levels of concentration.