How to Cultivate Samādhi

There are many methods for initially cultivating concentration. The initial methods for entering meditative absorption are discussed in the book Cultivating Concentration and Chan Meditation for Attaining Enlightenment. For example, adjusting the breath, performing prostration movements on the meditation cushion after regulating the breath, and other small methods like sitting in meditation once the body is regulated—these are relatively easy to start with and very practical. The book also explains how the mind should engage in visualization during meditation, how to recite mantras or sutras when the mind is particularly scattered, how to adjust the mind, and then how to diligently engage in Chan meditation once the mind is stabilized. The methods are all in that book. You can read it and practice step by step. There are also audio files, which provide more detailed explanations. Once the mind becomes slightly stabilized and you genuinely wish to sever the view of self, then practice according to the Samādhi Sūtra of Sitting Meditation and the Sutra on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. The methods explained in these sutras cultivate both concentration and wisdom, which is excellent. Once the Four Foundations of Mindfulness are well-cultivated, the insight into any stage of the Mahayana path in the future can be pursued using that method. That method is the equal cultivation of concentration and wisdom. As long as the effort is sufficient, it guarantees the attainment of insight and realization of the Dharma.

Some people have cultivated concentration for a long time. Their methods for cultivating concentration may be quite good, and their meditative absorption may be quite deep, but that concentration becomes like a stagnant pool, failing to give rise to wisdom. Once their concentration is strong, they become unwilling to do anything else, constantly desiring to enter absorption and craving the comfortable sensory experiences of the physical body. Then there is no wisdom to engage in Chan meditation, no contemplative wisdom, and their understanding of the Dharma remains shallow.

Some people focus solely on cultivating concentration without arousing mindful awareness. Their wisdom remains underdeveloped, and at the time of death, they still follow their karma, because ultimately, they have not severed the view of self, lack the wisdom to transcend birth and death, and lack the wisdom of a Mahayana bodhisattva who has realized the mind and seen its true nature. Consequently, they cannot avoid the cycle of birth and death in future lives. Only by using the power of concentration to contemplate, investigate, and inquire can one sever the view of self, realize the mind, and see its true nature. Only then can the issue of birth and death be resolved. This is the most crucial point. Currently, there are two extremes among those who study Buddhism: one extreme is solely dedicated to cultivating concentration without developing wisdom or engaging in contemplation; the other extreme is never cultivating meditative concentration at all, relying only on the conscious mind for extensive learning and wide hearing, or using scattered, discursive thinking focused solely on intellectual understanding without applying effort toward realization. Only by integrating these two extremes can one truly realize the Dharma.