Subtle Defilements Facilitate Meditative Concentration

Blue Sky's Meditation Log: Day Forty-Six of Sitting Meditation: Observing the Breath Sat for meditation in the evening. Performed ten deep breaths, then observed the breath at the nostrils, gradually transitioning into abdominal breathing. During this period, in the initial stage of abdominal breathing, the degree of abdominal muscle contraction during inhalation was less intense, but today the abdominal contraction during exhalation was very strong. The dantian felt very warm during breathing. Continuously observed the breath at the nostrils without diverting attention elsewhere. 

After meditating for about half an hour, felt the qi mechanism about to rise upward. Following the master's teaching, I let it happen naturally without resisting. Felt the qi mechanism instantly reach the chest area; it did not rise further. The entire area below the chest felt like an electric shock and vanished instantly. Continued observing the breath at the nostrils. At this point, abdominal breathing continued. After another ten minutes or so, the qi surged upward again. Both ears rang simultaneously, the pores all over the head and face stood up, producing a tingling, numb sensation. The feeling subsided quickly. Slight sweat appeared on the front and back of the heart area and the abdomen. Deep breathing stopped. Seeing there were still over ten minutes left, I consciously performed deep breaths until the meditation session ended. 

Sat for meditation in the morning. Performed ten deep breaths, then observed the breath at the nostrils, soon entering abdominal breathing. The dantian area was also very warm this morning, especially during inhalation. It felt as if the airflow entered the dantian like a stream of warmth from the upper abdomen. Sometimes, while inhaling, I could feel a cool sensation above the thighs, as if cool air was entering from the thighs. After meditating for about half an hour, I again felt the qi surging upward. This time it was slower and less intense. It rose to the chest and head and did not subside. The qi distension in the chest caused the breath to become short. The head also felt slightly swollen but not very noticeably. After persisting for ten minutes, I placed my awareness on the dantian. The aforementioned discomfort then gradually dissipated, breathing became smooth, the shoulders sank down, and the abdomen felt soft and comfortable. 

Commentary: The emptier the mind, the faster and longer the qi mechanism activates, and the deeper the entry into samadhi. Those obscured by karmic obstructions find it difficult to activate the qi mechanism; even if activated, it quickly subsides. In the future, when the initial dhyana arises, there will be a similar activation of the qi mechanism. The emptier the mind and the lighter the karmic obstructions, the faster, deeper, and more pervasive the activation of the qi mechanism becomes throughout the body, the longer it can be sustained, and the deeper the samadhi. So-called karmic obstructions refer to the mind having attachments—attachments to the body, to self, clinging to many dharmas, incessant grasping, perceiving worldly phenomena as real, and unwilling to relinquish them.