Wisdom Arises More Easily in Meditative Stillness

What is the difference between walking and sitting or lying down? When walking, the body consciousness and mental consciousness must focus on the operation of the physical body, with attention directed toward the physical body and the surrounding environment. Consequently, the attention of the solitary mental consciousness pondering the meaning of the Dharma diminishes. Energy becomes insufficient, concentration cannot be unified, contemplation cannot be deep or subtle, and wisdom does not easily arise. However, when sitting or lying down, the scatteredness of the conscious mind is reduced, the solitary mental consciousness becomes more focused, contemplation becomes deep, subtle, and meticulous, and wisdom easily arises. Therefore, it is said that the stillness and concentration attained while sitting or lying down more readily give birth to wisdom. In sitting or lying down, the mind has no additional burdens; one can concentrate energy, engage in subtle and meticulous contemplation, and need not worry about encountering situations while walking. The mind is at peace, and sitting meditation more easily gives rise to the access concentration and the first dhyāna.

Wisdom arises from concentration (samādhi). This concentration refers specifically to access concentration and the first dhyāna. Therefore, to realize the fruition [of the path] and attain enlightenment, one must at minimum possess access concentration. As long as it is not the thoughtless state of access concentration or the first dhyāna, when concentration deepens, contemplation becomes more subtle and meticulous, and there is no issue with opening wisdom and discovering new territory. Without meditative concentration (dhyāna-samādhi), one cannot engage in contemplative practice (vipassanā/insight meditation). With shallow concentration, contemplative practice lacks power, the mind is not refined, and it is not in accordance with the Dharma. Therefore, after studying the Dharma, the two practices are meditative concentration and contemplative practice.