The Efficacy of the Samādhi True Flame

Question: For the past three months, I've had a fire burning in my lower abdomen. I can feel it whether walking, standing, sitting, or lying down. Some of my chronic illnesses have already healed, such as chronic pharyngitis, chronic diarrhea, and cervical spondylosis. Additionally, since this fire arose, my sexual desire has disappeared. I haven't had any urges for nearly two months; even thinking about sexual things doesn't stir anything. I'm very curious about how this fire came to be. Before this fire appeared, I hadn't learned formal sitting meditation. I occasionally practiced contemplation of the impure and contemplation of skeletons, but not strictly according to the standards in books. My question is: Is it possible to generate the Samadhi True Fire merely through contemplation of the impure and contemplation of skeletons? Can the Samadhi True Fire truly cure chronic illnesses, suppress sexual desire, and curb appetite (I've also lost nearly 30 pounds in the last three months, and it's easier to endure hunger)? Is my current state truly the arising of the Samadhi True Fire, or is it merely a false fire?

Answer: The terms "Samadhi True Fire" and "Qi" (vital energy) are concepts used in Taoism, but they are also applicable to our Buddhist practice because the body is the same, and the methods used are quite similar—that is, meditation (Chan/Samadhi). The same effects will manifest in the body. As long as the mind settles into stillness, the energy channels (qi meridians) in the body become unobstructed and automatically circulate to regulate the entire body. This process brings about healing. Simultaneously, when the qi circulates to the lower abdomen (dantian area), it can trigger what Taoism calls the "Samadhi True Fire." This fire can burn fat, leading to weight loss.

The concentration of qi in the lower abdomen area can suppress the arising of distracting thoughts. The mind becomes purified, and the vital essence (jing), energy (qi), and spirit (shen) become abundant. When essence is sufficient, one does not crave sex; when energy is sufficient, one does not crave food; when spirit is sufficient, one does not crave sleep. Speech and thoughts diminish—one becomes disinclined to talk and disinclined to think about miscellaneous matters, and the mind naturally becomes pure. From this, we understand that strong sexual desire is partly due to insufficient essence within the body, a strong appetite is due to insufficient qi, and heavy sleepiness is due to insufficient spirit. The accumulation of these three (jing, qi, shen) relies on the cultivation of meditation (Chan/Samadhi). When the mind is concentrated, the energy channels activate, and energy becomes abundant, leading to many bodily changes. Practitioners of Buddhism, whether following the Mahayana or Theravada path, if their minds become purified and induce meditation, will inevitably experience this stage. True practitioners will undergo physical and mental transformations before they can realize the Way (attain enlightenment). If one has not experienced these phenomena, it indicates that meditation has not yet arisen, and one cannot realize the Way.

Practicing contemplation of the impure and contemplation of skeletons can induce meditation. This is using wisdom to induce concentration (Samadhi), maintaining equal emphasis on concentration and wisdom. Sitting meditation can induce Samadhi, and single-minded contemplation can also induce Samadhi. The effects during this process vary from person to person. That you were able to achieve results through contemplation of the impure and skeletons without strictly following book instructions, but through personal contemplation, indicates that you practiced this in past lives and have a certain foundation. Thus, the effects are more pronounced when practicing again in this life. The result of practicing contemplation of the impure and skeletons, physically, is the cessation of sexual desire. This method is the most direct and swift for eradicating the view of self (Sakkaya-ditthi). Persisting with it will bring even greater benefits.