Distinguishing Between Dull Samadhi and Clear Samadhi

Dull concentration is a state during meditation that is neither fully asleep nor fully awake, characterized by drowsiness and haziness. The mind lacks clarity, has no object of focus, and is devoid of the power of illuminating awareness, contemplative observation, or mindful perception. It resembles a state of rest for nurturing the mind, where the body feels relatively comfortable but lacks the wisdom born of contemplative practice. Lingering in this concentration while clinging to sensory experiences leads to very slow progress in meditation. While the mental state may improve somewhat, it does not contribute to the arising of wisdom and is not considered right concentration. Clear concentration, however, is a state during meditation where the mind is lucid and bright, possessing an object of focus, along with the power of illuminating awareness, contemplative observation, and mindful perception. It represents the balanced cultivation of concentration and wisdom, belonging to right concentration. With the strength of concentration, it enables wise discernment of phenomena, can dispel ignorance, and can even bring about physical changes. If the mind lacks an object of focus, it becomes thoughtless and devoid of mental activity, or sinks into dullness. In such a state, there is neither analytical power nor the power of contemplative practice.

Dull concentration is not right concentration; it lacks the strength of concentration and thus also lacks the wisdom born of contemplative practice, meaning it lacks the power of wisdom. Right concentration is clear concentration; it possesses the strength of concentration. Within this concentration, the mind has power. This power can subdue afflictions, eradicate afflictions, break through ignorance, and spark the arising of wisdom. If right mindfulness is applied within dull concentration, it can transform into clear concentration. Conversely, clear concentration can revert to dull concentration if prolonged fatigue sets in. To maintain clarity, two things are essential: first, the body must be regulated smoothly, with qi and blood circulating freely and vitality full, enabling the mind to sustain right mindfulness without loss. Body and mind are interdependent. When the body's qi and blood flow smoothly, the mind becomes light and joyful, facilitating entry into concentration. When mental focus is gathered at the dantian (lower abdomen) and the dantian generates warmth, it distributes qi and blood throughout the body. Once qi and blood circulate freely, the mind easily stabilizes in concentration.

When engaging in analytical contemplation and practice, entering dull concentration causes the contemplative practice to halt. If one practices according to the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Sutra, the mind consistently maintains an object of focus. If it is lost, it is retrieved. When dullness arises, one regains clarity, keeping the mind perpetually bright. In this way, both meditation and wisdom progress rapidly. When the mind possesses meditative concentration, considering problems is clear and distinct. Without meditative concentration, thinking becomes vague and unclear. This is the principle by which meditative concentration gives rise to the wisdom born of contemplative practice and the wisdom of prajna and vijñapti-mātra (consciousness-only). Some people even glibly claim that realizing the fruit and illuminating the mind do not require meditative concentration. Yet, even when searching for an object, concentration is needed – without concentration, one cannot recall where something was placed. How much more so for matters of life and death – how can they be resolved and handled with a chaotic, disordered mind?