Gateway to Dharma

What is Pseudo-Nirvana?

Pseudo-nirvana is a form of imperfection of insight caused by undue attention being paid to phenomena instead of mindful awareness of their rising and falling characteristics in the present moment. Chiefly because of attachment to sense-desire, aversion to unpleasantness and plain indifference due to self-absorption, the inexperienced meditators may believe that one of the stages of enlightenment has been attained, not realising that their lack of experience in recognising the subtle nature of their mind and body may cause them to generate imperfection of insight which may be accompanied by illumination of light, rapturous delight, feelings of tranquillity, or an excess in zeal and energy.