How to Achieve Emptiness

Having practiced the contemplation of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, specifically the contemplation of the body and the observation of breathing, for several months, what insights or experiences have you gained regarding the phenomenon of breathing? From observing localized breathing to observing the breath in its entirety, and from focusing on minute aspects of the breath to observing it holistically, what discoveries have you made? Have you perceived very clearly the impermanence (anicca) of the breath—its arising, abiding, changing, and ceasing? Regarding the overall state of the body, do you have a sense of its arising, abiding, changing, and ceasing? Have you experienced any feeling or insight into emptiness?

During the observation process, do not engage in conscious thinking or analysis; perceive objectively, experience firsthand, and forget all the theoretical knowledge you have learned—rely purely on personal perception. While contemplating, elevate your perspective and grasp the whole; then, condense the whole into a single point to observe. Do not merge with the sensations; focus solely on the feeling/awareness itself. Separate mind and body; detach the mind from the body, detach it from the sensations, detach it from the breath. It is best to completely separate the mind from the body. Overlook, view from above, take a bird's-eye view—as if observing an object unrelated to yourself. This way, you can objectively regard the body, regard the breath, regard all phenomena arising on the body, making it easier to perceive the phenomena of arising, abiding, changing, and ceasing, and the mind becomes more easily empty.