Two Approaches to Samatha Practice

Question: Does cultivating cessation refer to using the mental faculty to fixate on a single thought without interruption, or does it refer to the state where not a single thought arises in the mind?

Answer: Cessation (止) means stopping, ceasing, or halting, signifying stability or being fixed and unmoving. Who ceases and who stabilizes? It is the body that ceases and stabilizes, thereby causing the sixth and seventh consciousnesses to cease and stabilize—primarily enabling the sixth and seventh consciousnesses to cease and stabilize themselves. When bodily activities cease, the body consciousness and mental consciousness gradually subside, but they are not extinguished; rather, they remain perceptive, albeit very subtly. Once the sixth consciousness becomes still, the seventh consciousness can no longer stir, because without the sixth consciousness following along, the seventh consciousness has no choice but to cease as well. However, due to its unique role, the seventh consciousness must still grasp at dharmas and the body; it merely grasps fewer dharmas and moves more subtly.

If the mental consciousness fixates on a single thought without moving, there is still thought present; this falls within the scope of observation (观). When the mental consciousness observes, the seventh consciousness (the mental faculty) necessarily grasps the dharma observed by the mental consciousness. Over time, the mental faculty itself begins to observe. Once the mental faculty becomes focused on observation, it embarks on the correct path and will eventually perceive the truth of reality. This is the observational practice of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (四念住).

As for "not a single thought arising," it means the mental consciousness has no thoughts and no observation; it has completely ceased and become still. The seventh consciousness (the mental faculty) cannot completely cease and become utterly still; it invariably has thoughts. The key lies in what it thinks about and whether this thought is focused. If it can remain focused and still harbor doubt (疑情), then it is engaged in investigating (参究). This can serve as a profound method for deep Chan (Zen) inquiry, but it is relatively difficult to cultivate. Most people struggle to master it, finding it less accessible than the observational practice where the mental consciousness remains in a state of awareness. However, the more challenging the method, the more potent the practice becomes, making it easier to enter the path and realize the truth (证道). Once the truth is realized, the wisdom and level of realization attained will be exceptionally high.