The purpose of the jhānas is to sharpen your mind, so that when you look to see what’s really happening, you have penetrating insight into it. In the Tibetan tradition, the bodhisattva of wisdom is Mañjuśrī. Mañjuśrī is often depicted with a sword of wisdom in his right hand, which he uses to cut the bonds of ignorance. Jhāna practice is simply sharpening Mañjuśrī’s sword.a
