"perception of light/daytime"

[Sekha]

"And what is the development of concentration that... leads to the attainment of knowledge & vision? There is the case where a monk attends to the perception of light and is resolved on the perception of daytime [at any hour of the day]. Day [for him] is the same as night, night is the same as day. By means of an awareness open & unhampered, he develops a brightened mind.

Can anyone help understanding the meaning of this paragraph?

But if by doing this you don't shake off your drowsiness, then attend to the perception of light, resolve on the perception of daytime, [dwelling] by night as by day, and by day as by night. By means of an awareness thus open & unhampered, develop a brightened mind. It's possible that by doing this you will shake off your drowsiness.

And how does it work in this case? Would it simply mean to stare at a light (candle or whatever) for some time?

[bodom]

In Anguttara nikaya there is a Sutta called Pacalayamana Sutta which is about Venerable MahaMoggallana's attainment of Arahatta. In this Sutta there is one instruction to the Venerable MahaMoggallana by the Buddha to create the Aloka light both in day and in night to overcome sloth & torpor (ThinaMiddha) The Buddha also taught in Aloka Sutta and Abha Sutta of Anguttara Nikaya that there are 4 kinds of light: 1) sunlight, 2) moonlight (which includes starlight), 3) light of fire, and 4) light of wisdom. As for the light of wisdom the subcommentary to the Pacalayamana Sutta mentioned that there are 4 types:1) Dibba Cakkhu Abhinna (Divine eye/psychic power) also has light. 2) Aloka Kasina or all the Kasina have light. 3) Beginning from Palikamma Samadhi (preliminary concentration) which is close to Upacara Samadhi up till the upper Samatha Bhavana Citta, all these have light also. 4) In the Upakilesacalled Vipassanobhasa - it is the bright light of Vipassana nana(Vipassana insight knowledge).

- Pa Auk Sayadaw

[Sekha]

[Alexei]

How is divine sight developed? Having practised the four bases of supernormal power and gained control of the mind, the new yogin, being pure and immovable, enters the light kasina. Attaining to the fourth meditation (jhaana), he attends to and resolves upon the perception of light and the perception of day thus: "This day is like night; this night is like day". His mind being free from all obstructionand all clinging, he is able to strengthen his mind and increase light. To the yogin who strengthens and increases his light, there is nothing obscure. There is nothing covered, and he surpasses the sun in splendour. Practising thus, that yogin diffuses his body with light ...

Vimuttimagga