The Integration of Movement and Stillness Facilitates Samadhi

Question: Can one practice "cessation" and "concentration" during daily activities such as walking, standing, sitting, and lying down? Since it is impossible to control the body to remain still and settled while in motion, how should one practice? Specifically, regarding the "access concentration" mentioned by the Venerable in your teachings, can it also be attained while in motion?

Answer: The purpose of cultivating concentration is to train the mind, to bring it to stillness. Although bodily stillness can reduce mental agitation and help the mind settle, once the mind becomes very clear and pure in concentration while the body is still, and the skill matures, one can similarly maintain mental stillness and concentration even during regular bodily movement. It is slightly more difficult, but it is possible to achieve a state where the body moves while the mind remains unmoved. When the body moves but the mind is unmoved, one encounters more conditions, which further tests the mind's power of concentration. Simultaneously, the conditions for realizing the Way increase significantly, which is more beneficial for Chan practice. Shattering the view of self can also occur while the body is in motion, as encountering conditions and situations can trigger an inspiration, leading to the realization of emptiness.

Concentration of the same level, when attained while the body is moving, demonstrates greater skill in cultivation compared to concentration attained while the body is still. The power of concentration becomes more solid. However, this requires the concentration achieved in bodily stillness for maintenance and support. Practicing both complements each other and promotes mutual enhancement. Generally, complete bodily stillness can also become an obstacle, hindering the strengthening of concentration. Therefore, after sitting in meditation for a period, one should rise and engage in walking meditation to move around. This allows the qi and blood to flow more smoothly, the mind to become calmer, and mental contemplation to penetrate more deeply.