How to Use Prajna to Elicit Samadhi

With wisdom triggering meditative concentration, entering samādhi occurs very rapidly, provided that both the foundation in meditative absorption and contemplative practice are solid. Upon sitting down, one can swiftly eliminate distracting thoughts and delusions from the mind. Contemplating a doctrinal principle, with its meaning clear, allows one to focus intently and quickly, growing increasingly absorbed. The overt activity of conscious thought diminishes and fades away, yet the underlying manas (mental faculty) continues to ponder and deliberate—devoid of language, sound, or written words—engaging in profound contemplation. Initially, this practice may feel strained and challenging, but once accustomed, entering samādhi becomes very swift. Both body and mind feel extremely comfortable, permeated with clarity. The mind is lucid. Upon emerging from samādhi, one experiences physical and mental ease, brimming with vitality, far surpassing the restorative effect of sleep.

During the process of manas's deliberation, it can be observed that manas does not reference other doctrinal principles, nor does it compare them, speculate, or imagine. Therefore, manas lacks the modes of inference (anumāna-pramāṇa) and erroneous cognition (abhāva-pramāṇa); its thinking is entirely direct perception (pratyakṣa-pramāṇa). Once a conclusion is reached, it constitutes wisdom born of direct perception, which is relatively authentic, difficult to overturn or regret, and trustworthy. This is not the case with conscious thought. Because the deliberation of manas lacks language, written words, or sound, for the conclusions it arrives at to take the form of language, written words, or sound requires the assistance of consciousness. Consciousness must be awakened to receive the conclusion. Once consciousness comprehends it, it organizes the language, forming written words and sound. The resulting language and written words will be concise, clear, penetrating, and precise.

This process is relatively complex and slow, much slower than conscious thought operating alone. Yet, despite its slowness, it is deep, thorough, and precise, representing one's genuine wisdom. Therefore, if a person relies heavily on conscious thought, prioritizing it, their writing and speeches, while possibly produced quickly and containing abundant and varied content, cannot guarantee quality, much less that it stems from direct perception wisdom. It will likely contain significant elements of inference and erroneous cognition, rely more on referenced material, and while memory and articulation may be excellent, it does not fully represent one's true wisdom. Hence, good food is worth waiting for and is not diminished by slowness; refinement and exquisite flavor offer the greatest enjoyment.