The Merits of Dhyana

Ruzhao's Meditation Log: Today I sat in single-legged lotus position on the left leg for half an hour and on the right leg for half an hour. After settling into the posture, I first recited the Shurangama Mantra once. Afterwards, I concentrated my mind, calmed my breath, and observed my breathing. Soon, my entire body experienced sustained warmth, with perspiration on my limbs and face. A nectar-like fluid continuously secreted in my mouth. I did not feel warmth in the dantian (lower abdomen), but each breath was drawn very deeply, causing the lower abdomen to naturally swell. As the observation deepened, the breaths seemed to draw in even deeper. The physical sensations and the volume of air inhaled through the nostrils appeared different between the left-leg and right-leg single lotus positions, and the bodily experiences were not entirely identical. Currently, my mind settles more easily during the left-leg single lotus position, allowing for longer observation periods. In daily life, I feel dull and slow. Most matters do not register deeply, and I struggle to remember many trivial things. Sometimes, when I need to think, it feels like my mind suddenly stalls, uncertain of its own thoughts. When speaking with others, I can understand what they wish to express or vent, but I cannot offer words of agreement and often do not even wish to speak. When experiencing suffering myself or observing it in others, I contemplate the origin of this suffering, seeking to thoroughly cease suffering by eliminating its causes. 

Summary: The more concentrated the mind becomes, the more concentrated the vital energy (qi) within the body becomes, and the more concentrated the energy becomes. This leads to the activation of vital energy, causing the whole body to feel warm. Those with extremely deep meditative concentration (dhyana) become insensitive to heat and cold in their bodies. In winter, they need not wear many clothes; in summer, wearing more does not feel hot. They wear the same monastic robe year-round, without needing to frequently change clothes. Meditative concentration can eliminate some restless energy. Matters deemed unimportant no longer receive careful attention, and one certainly will not resort to sycophancy. Initially, speech and actions may seem clumsy; initiative may seem weak, but observational power becomes deep and penetrating. The mind becomes meticulous and sensitive. The ability to perceive people and events becomes more precise and detailed than before, making one less easily deceived. There is a quality akin to "still waters run deep" – appearing simple while actually possessing great wisdom. In truth, the mind is not applied to trivial matters, and genuine wisdom is gradually increasing.