How to Trigger a Meditative State with Wisdom

With wisdom inducing meditative concentration, one enters samadhi very quickly, provided that the foundation in both meditative concentration and contemplative practice is solid. Once seated, one can swiftly eliminate distracting thoughts and mental fabrications. When contemplating a Dharma principle with clear connotation, one can quickly focus on the contemplation, becoming increasingly absorbed. The obvious conscious thinking gradually diminishes and ceases, yet the underlying manas (mental faculty) continues to ponder and deliberate—without language, without sound, without words—delving very deeply. In the initial stages of practice, this may feel forced and arduous. Once accustomed, entering samadhi becomes very swift; body and mind feel completely clear and comfortable. Upon emerging from samadhi, one feels physically and mentally refreshed, full of energy, far more restorative than sleep.

During the deliberation of manas, it can be observed that manas does not reference any specific Dharma principles, does not compare them with other principles, nor does it speculate or imagine. Therefore, manas lacks the modes of thinking based on inference (anumāna) or error (abhāva); its thinking is entirely based on direct perception (pratyakṣa). Once a conclusion is reached, it is wisdom born of direct perception—relatively true, difficult to overturn or regret, and trustworthy. Conscious thinking is not like this. Because the deliberation of manas lacks language, words, and sound, for its conclusions to take the form of language, words, or sound requires the assistance of consciousness. Consciousness needs to be awakened to receive the conclusion; once consciousness comprehends it, it organizes the language, forming words and sound. The resulting language and words are concise, clear, penetrating, and precise.

This process is relatively complex and slow, much slower than conscious thinking alone. Yet, despite its slowness, it is profound, thorough, and precise, representing one's true wisdom. Therefore, if a person relies heavily on conscious thinking, prioritizing it, their writing and speeches may be produced quickly, and the content may be voluminous and diverse, but the quality cannot be guaranteed, nor can it be assured to be wisdom of direct perception. It will contain many elements of inference and error, rely more on references, and while memory and articulation may be excellent, it does not fully represent one's true wisdom. Hence, fine food is worth the wait and not feared for being slow; exquisite flavor is the most enjoyable.