How to Enter Samadhi Quickly

When contemplating the Dharma during seated meditation, it leads to faster and deeper absorption than silently reciting the Heart Sutra. It is quicker than entering absorption through breath regulation and faster than other methods. This is true for those of sharp faculties with minor afflictions and few wandering thoughts, as they already possess a foundation in concentration. Preliminary expedient methods can thus be omitted. However, for beginners in concentration with heavy clinging and many thoughts, the more they contemplate, the more unsettled their minds become. Without meditative absorption, it becomes mere scattered thinking; scattered thinking agitates the mind. Therefore, such contemplation should wait until a foundation in meditative absorption is established. When I sit down and cross my legs, I use no preliminary methods at all. I directly enter into profound contemplation—thought without conscious deliberation, all arising from the manas (intellect).

The contemplation of the manas is deep and slow, yet thorough. The thinking of the conscious mind is fast and shallow, neither thorough nor penetrating. The thinking of the conscious mind is a preliminary expedient method, its purpose being to provoke the contemplation of the manas. Initially, this is a necessary process one must go through. Within the contemplation and investigation of the manas, there is almost no acquisition of knowledge; it does not increase one's store of knowledge. Yet it is deeply engaging, carrying the delight of exploration, a hazy joy of being on the verge of discovering something. It unfolds the wisdom inherent within one's own mind. Wisdom is not obtained from outside; what is obtained externally is merely knowledge. At this stage, one no longer feels tired. I can sit for a whole morning, or even a whole day. It is only due to worldly concerns that I must rise from the seat.

Dedication Verse: By the merit of all Dharma propagation and group practice on our online platform, we dedicate it to all sentient beings in the Dharma Realm, to the people of the world. We pray for world peace, that wars may cease; that conflict may not arise, and weapons may forever be laid down; that all calamities may completely subside! We pray that the people of all nations unite in mutual aid, extending kindness to one another; for favorable weather and harmonious seasons, for national prosperity and people's well-being! May all beings deeply believe in cause and effect, harbor compassionate hearts and refrain from killing; widely forge virtuous connections, widely cultivate wholesome deeds; believe in the Buddha, learn the Buddha's teachings, and increase their roots of goodness; recognize suffering, abandon its causes, yearn for cessation, and cultivate the path; close the door to the evil destinies, open the path to Nirvana! May Buddhism flourish eternally, the true Dharma abide forever; transforming the burning house of the triple realm into the lotus land of Ultimate Bliss!