Cultivating More Concentration Leads to Samadhi

Meditative concentration is essentially a state of focused attention, concentrating one's energy on the task at hand with no distracting thoughts, for only then can one accomplish things well. First, one must develop a deep sense of responsibility and a strong interest in what one is doing; only then can one immerse oneself wholeheartedly, resolving problems. The greater the focus, the better the resolution, the more profound and significant truths one can discover, and the deeper one's wisdom becomes.

For instance, researchers, scientists, and academics possess a strong sense of responsibility towards their studies, a deep fondness for them, and a keen interest in exploration. Consequently, they work tirelessly, day and night, with complete devotion, forgetting to eat and sleep, oblivious to other matters. In the end, they achieve certain results and make astonishing discoveries.

For those whose minds are still scattered, they should persistently recite mantras or memorize the Heart Sutra while walking, standing, sitting, or lying down during the day. In their free time, they should sit in meditation to calm the mind, enabling them later to engage in contemplative practice and ponder the Dharma. Once they can contemplate the Dharma during seated meditation, they should then train themselves to ponder simple aspects of the Dharma while walking, standing, sitting, or lying down during the day. Initially, train yourself to be clearly aware of what you are currently doing, avoiding mindless distraction and mental wandering. Keeping the mind fixed on the present task is a rudimentary form of concentration.

For those with scattered minds, to gather the mind, it's best to begin the practice of concentration by reciting the Shurangama Mantra. Recite the Shurangama Mantra three or seven times daily; achieving the ability to recite it from memory is ideal. In this way, whether walking, standing, sitting, or lying down, the mind remains on the Shurangama Mantra, reducing attachment to the objects of the six senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, and thought). Gradually, concentration will develop. Moreover, reciting the Shurangama Mantra brings the blessings and empowerment of the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Dharma protectors, accelerating one's progress on the spiritual path. For those with scattered minds, during seated meditation, visualize an extremely fascinating scene; the process should be prolonged and require some mental composition. Only then can the mind focus entirely on the visualization, and meditative concentration will arise. Once the meditative concentration stabilizes, relinquish these visualized scenes and shift to contemplating a principle of the Dharma. If one consistently mistakes the visualized states for reality, it is easy to deviate.