Jhana has become popular, but often dumbed down. So then it helps to have an overview of how aspects of the path fits together.  Jhana means oneness and illumination, and is described as having five factors: applied and sustained application (vitakka, vicara), rapture or uplift (piti), pleasure...

When coming to a retreat, you give up a lot for a few days − there is maybe a desire or a longing for freedom. And just that is the first of 'The four bases of mental power' (iddhi pada), this wish or longing for freedom and a spiritual development − and maybe the most important supporting factor...

This talk is about the process the Buddha went through learning to meditate, starting with an experiences he had as a child, which teachers he met and learned from and how he was conditioned by other schools. Then later on, how the Buddha stayed with the sramanas doing all kinds of ascetic...