I've found it very helpful to think the opposite: suppression of the hindrances support jhana, and jhana supports the destruction of the taints.Strive wrote:I'm mainly interested in jhana because I heard that it helps suppress the hindrances and leads to the destruction of the taints.
So when you meditate focus on establishing mindfulness in your breath, posture, etc. Then, when the mind seems distracted into a hindrance, that is the time to contemplate in such a way that the hindrance passes away. Once done you then return your attention to your object.
After enough practice you'll find that mindfulness comes much easier and you are more easily able to dispel the hindrances. When this is the case you will find that directing your mind into jhana is not so hard. But, in the beginning, cultivate patience and contentment with sitting mindfully. If you can do that your more than half way there.