Continuous Observation and Practice is the Cultivation of the Mental Faculty.

Bai Xuexiang's Experience Sharing on the Contemplation of Skeletons: When I first began studying the Dharma principle of contemplating the impurity of the body within the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, I purchased forensic autopsy videos and some pictures of Tibetan sky burials for reference. While watching these videos or pictures quietly at night, the manas (mind faculty), following the visual perception of consciousness, gave rise to the thought that the physical body is not me. My original intention at the time was to cultivate the contemplation on the impurity of the body, but through repeated reflection, I often concluded that the physical body is not me, is not myself, is an illusory self, a false self—a puppet manipulated by strings. Every time before sleep, I contemplated that the body is not me; upon waking, I contemplated that the physical body is not me. 

Nearly two years passed like this. One day, upon waking from a nap (before opening my eyes), I suddenly saw the flesh at the soles of my feet flowing away like sand. The flesh flowed away up to the knees. Thinking it was a dream, I opened my eyes and realized I was awake and not dreaming. So I closed my eyes again. This time, I saw the flesh of my body continuing to flow like sand until only the entire skull remained, but the bones were black, not white. I analyzed this: seeing black bones was probably due to unresolved attachments in the realm of affection (such as parents, children, relatives). Consequently, I focused more contemplation on resolving delusions regarding attachments (I have recently gained some clarity on this). A while ago, during group practice of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, while sitting in half-lotus posture, shortly after settling into meditation, I saw the flesh around my leg bones split open. Then I saw the flesh all over my body gradually falling away piece by piece, with bright red, thread-like sinews still hanging, not completely detached. 

Comment: Bai Xuexiang's contemplative practice has achieved continuity. Only when the Dharma principles take root in the manas can the practice be continuous—contemplation possible during the day, at night, before sleep, upon waking, and even during sleep, regardless of whether there are dreams or not. When there are no dreams, the manas contemplates alone. When there are dreams, the manas urges the consciousness to contemplate and reflect. The practice of consciousness is intermittent, unable to be continuous. Because the contemplative practice of the manas is continuous, over time, the perception of the physical body changes. Once this change occurs, upon realizing that the physical body is not oneself, the flesh falls away from the bones, separating bone from flesh. This is the initial stage of samadhi (meditative concentration), still some distance from the ultimate samadhi of severing the view of self. As long as the causes and conditions for realizing the path (seeing the truth) are further perfected, realization will come swiftly.

This is an actual instance of the contemplation of skeletons, provided as a practice model for everyone, encouraging all who engage in contemplation. As long as one diligently and energetically persists in continuous contemplation, the practice will progressively deepen, and the severance of the view of self will surely be attained. Buddha does not deceive us. It depends on the individual's various causes and conditions, primarily relying on the aspiration (bodhicitta) and merit (punya). Generate the great bodhicitta (aspiration for enlightenment), possess the mind seeking liberation from suffering, diligently cultivate merit, precepts, concentration, and wisdom—then the contemplative practice will flourish, and ultimately, results will manifest.

Dedication Verse: With all the merit from Dharma propagation and group practice on our online platform, we dedicate it to all sentient beings throughout the Dharma realm, to the people of the world. We pray for world peace, the cessation of wars; the absence of conflict, the eternal end of strife; may all disasters completely subside! We pray that the people of all nations unite in mutual aid, treating each other with compassion; for favorable weather and abundant harvests, national prosperity and people's peace! May all sentient beings deeply believe in cause and effect, harbor compassionate minds and refrain from killing; widely forge virtuous connections, extensively cultivate wholesome karma; believe in the Buddha, learn the Buddha, and increase wholesome roots; understand suffering, cease its origin, aspire to cessation, and cultivate the path; close the door to the evil destinies, open the path to Nirvana! May Buddhism eternally flourish, the true Dharma abide forever; transform the burning house of the three realms into the lotus land of Ultimate Bliss!