Hi, Lars,

For me, Ajahn Brahmavamso puts it well:

QUOTE

However, it should be known and recognised that thinking, as you
normally perceive it, is not present in these jhanas at all.

That which we call thought has completely subsided.

What these two terms refer to is a last vestige of the movement of
the mind which, if it was continued, would give rise to thinking.

ENDQUOTE

That's from his talk titled "Travelogue to the four jhanas" at
http://www.saigon.com/~anson/ebud/ebmed042.htm

Derek.