How to Use Wisdom to Initiate Samadhi

With wisdom triggering meditative concentration, entering samadhi is very swift, provided one has a solid foundation in both concentration and contemplative practice. Upon sitting down, one can quickly eliminate distracting thoughts and delusions from the mind. When contemplating a Dharma principle, its connotation is clear, allowing for swift and focused contemplation. As concentration deepens, overt conscious thinking diminishes and fades away. However, the inner manas (mind-root) continues to deliberate and ponder, without language, sound, or words, engaging in profound thought. Initially, the practice may feel forced and arduous. Once accustomed, entering samadhi becomes very rapid, bringing profound comfort to both body and mind. The body feels thoroughly clear, the mind sharp. Emerging from samadhi, one experiences physical and mental ease, with the spirit invigorated a hundredfold, far surpassing the restorative effect of sleep.

During the process of deliberation by manas, one can observe that manas does not reference any Dharma principles, does not compare them with other principles, nor does it speculate or imagine. Therefore, manas does not employ the modes of thinking involving inference (anumāna) or false perception (viparyaya). Its thinking is entirely based on direct perception (pratyakṣa). Once a conclusion is reached, it constitutes wisdom from direct perception, which is relatively authentic, difficult to overturn or regret, and trustworthy. This is not the case when thinking with consciousness. Because the deliberation of manas lacks language, words, or sound, for its conclusions to be formed into language, words, or sound, it requires the assistance of consciousness. Consciousness must be awakened to receive the conclusion. After consciousness comprehends it, it organizes the language, forming words and sound. The resulting language and words are concise, clear, penetrating, and precise.

This process is relatively complex and slow, much slower than when consciousness thinks alone. However, despite its slowness, it is deep, thorough, and precise, representing one's genuine wisdom. Therefore, if a person relies heavily on conscious thinking, primarily using consciousness to think, their writing and speaking may be rapid, and the content may be voluminous and complex, but the quality cannot be guaranteed. It certainly cannot be assured to be wisdom from direct perception. It will contain significant elements of inference and false perception, rely more on referenced material, and while memory and expression might be strong, it does not fully represent one's true wisdom. Hence, fine meals are worth waiting for and are not diminished by slowness; exquisite flavor is the most enjoyable.