Luke Avedon:
Aren't the Jhana states absorption states, therefore by definition, you couldn't be doing anything else when you are in them?
ab·sorb (b-sôrb, -zôrb)
tr.v. ab·sorbed, ab·sorb·ing, ab·sorbs
1. To take (something) in through or as through pores or interstices.
2.
To occupy the full attention, interest, or time of; engross. See Synonyms at monopolize.
3. To retain (radiation or sound, for example) wholly, without reflection or transmission.
4. To take in; assimilate: immigrants who were absorbed into the social mainstream.
5.
To learn; acquire: "Matisse absorbed the lesson and added to it a new language of color" (Peter Plagen).
6.
To receive (an impulse) without echo or recoil: a fabric that absorbs sound; a bumper that absorbs impact.
7. To assume or pay for (a cost or costs).
8. To endure; accommodate: couldn't absorb the additional hardships.
9. To use up; consume: The project has absorbed all of our department's resources.
Get to 1st or 2nd or perhaps 3rd 'path' as talked of around here and in MCTB and one may see how easy it can become to access the jhanas. The level of absorption may differ from sitting compared to walking around. Here we are perhaps though talking about the
vipassana jhanas related to certain nanas rather than deep trance-like samadhi jhana.
Access the nanas long enough, cultivate the mental 'handles' for each and it wont take but a thought to direct the mind to fabricate the jhana's factors too. Others will disagree, but perhaps they haven't had the brain changes discussed in MCTB as 'path'. Also what needs to be 'absorbed'? And what does 'absorption' really mean? How 'absorbed' does one need to be to fabricate the factors of each jhana? In the beginning, and perhaps without the brain changes that result in will of mind access, perhaps kasina or anapana inspired 'absorption' is helpful. The hindrances need to be temporarily subdued somehow.
In the experience of many post-what is called 'path' here, it's will of mind stuff for a number of them. And when it's will of mind stuff, jhana doesn't need to be no-one-can-wake-me-from-this-trance 'absorption', though that can happen if there is no intention to use jhana for insight.
Imagine being able to follow the instructions in the link below eventually without the need to sit? If your mind says it is impossible, it will be impossible. Mindset. Though 'path' as talked of at the DhO and MCTB will change your brain so that will of mind access may present. Perhaps that should be the objective first?
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an05/an05.028.than.htmlNick