I wanted to put this out here for others who are trying to willfully enter the jhanas.
I am having good progress in doing this. I have had two recent occasions where I have entered the first jhana and, on the last occasion, I also entered second jhana*.
What I have found is that wanting jhana is hindrance nr. 1. And this wanting can be very subtle. To deal with this, I successfully used the
Direct Mode grounding technique in my most recent sit where I entered the first and second jhanas. As I start focussing on the anapana spot, I simultaneously scan the stomach and chest areas to notice any kinds of clinging/wanting/grasping/contracting feelings, and
when any of that pops up, I ground them in the body and they dissolve within seconds.
Here's
some videos with Kenneths' instructions on Direct Mode.
* This has not been confirmed by any authority, so take it for what it is - a claim.