‧Written by Sheng-yen Lu‧
(continued from pg A7 , TBN issue # 1208)
When all phenomena cease to exist, one is close to attaining the great state of absorption.
When a cultivator practices One-Pointed Meditation, he works on focusing his mind. As the cultivator concentrates on one-point, the circulation of the qi or energy in the channels travel like an electrical current which feels like a pulse. This is called ‘qi ling’ or ‘the awakening of spirit’ [translator’s note: also known commonly as Kundalini Awakening]. If we learn to gain control over this process, then this spiritual current will definitely help to strengthen our body and cure us of illnesses. Thus, it certainly benefits us greatly. However, if we cannot achieve self-control, we will easily be subject to outside influences and be drawn into a psychotic state of mind. Therefore, it is my wish that anyone who practices this method should maintain a normal diet and have sufficient sleep. If you practice “the awakening of spirit” method to strengthen your physical body, then you should uphold a daily routine with each session lasting no more than twenty minutes. Do not over-exert yourself and do not crave spiritual powers. Then you shall have few worries.
When we practice Ekagrata Meditation and maintain our focus, spiritual experiences are likely to occur. If we do not experience the awakening of spirit, then we may experience various illusory visions and states in our absorption. These visions may arise non-stop. The practitioner may report these illusory visions to his guru and the guru, who is experienced with such conditions, will properly guide and instruct the practitioner with the best solution. You may also choose to completely ignore these visions and focus solely on absorp- tion, remaining unaffected by the visions. When you are unafraid, unworried, and unattached to these visions, you will naturally have no problems. If you are drawn and led by these illusory visions, it is highly probable that you will stray into the mara realms.
When a person sits for too long in the Seven-Point Posture of Vaiocana in the practice of Mahamudra, one’s body and mind may be- come fatigued, and one may tend to doze off and enter into a dream state. If one knows how to awaken one’s spirit, then one may move one’s body automatically to counter the sleepiness. If one does not know the art of awakening the spirit, then one should spend time climbing, enjoying the ocean, or looking at some picturesque sceneries to allow the body and mind to recuperate from fatigue. When our mind is comfortable, it is easier to enter into absorption. These are important points to take note of.
Ekagrata or One-Pointedness, can help one to reach the bliss of oneness of mind. Thus, it is a state of immovability, which reaches into the realm of nirvana. The teachings in my book, The Illuminated Way of Meditation [Book 45], are within the scope of Ekagrata Meditation. If one masters the meditation in the book, one will transcend the heavenly realm as well as the three realms. One will be in a state of birthlessness and deathlessness. It is certainly powerful.
Mahamudra is thus a unified practice, combining all practices. It is cultivated in stages before one reaches great attainment. By practicing Ekagrata, one attains purity of body, speech and mind, which together constitutes the supreme state of meditative absorption.(The End)
