How to Enter Samadhi Quickly During Sitting Meditation

To enter samādhi quickly, one must strive to relax the body and the conscious mind. When sitting down, let the body slacken completely. It is essential to empty both body and mind: relax the arms, hands, and shoulders; relax the legs and feet. Do not hold the shoulders, arms, or hands rigidly; the entire body should be relaxed. The head should also relax, held naturally straight with a slight downward tilt. Keep the back naturally straight without bending or arching. The shoulders should gently droop, drawn slightly backward without exertion. Remain completely relaxed without applying any force. Using force indicates that you are stiffening your body; this stiffness causes rigidity, stagnating the vital energy (qì jī) and hindering the movement of the energy channels (qì mài). Consequently, the body struggles to achieve free flow.

After fully relaxing the body, relax and empty the mind. Remain gentle and at ease, thinking of nothing except the observed Dharma-object. Harbor no thoughts or concerns; disregard everything, even if the sky were to fall. Abandon all attachments. Let the body be as it will; do not attempt to control it. The more you control, the more you grasp, making it harder to activate the vital energy and impeding the flow of blood and qì. This hinders your meditation (samādhi). Conversely, the emptier and more relaxed your body and mind are, the deeper your samādhi will be. Practice letting go completely—relinquish everything, empty yourself—only then can you enter samādhi swiftly.