Why Must the Path of Insight Be Equipped with Access Concentration?

Ru Chun: Senior Lantian, it's truly enviable that you've cleared so many parts of your body in just three years. I'm rather slow-witted—after seven years of meditation, I still can't tell which parts of me are clear and which aren't. One memorable experience was after finishing a meditation session and going to sleep, I dreamt of digging out a little bee-like insect from my nose. In a drowsy, half-asleep state, my entire nasal cavity felt incredibly fresh and comfortable. There was also a period when, as soon as I started meditating, a surge of energy would rise up, making my throat itchy and dry, and it would even shoot toward my ear roots, causing loud popping sounds throughout the ear area, which was very uncomfortable. These days, that situation has mostly disappeared.

Another time, I would break out in a full sweat as soon as I sat down to meditate. Since childhood, I've had a cold constitution and rarely sweat even in the hottest weather, but during that period, I'd be drenched in sweat shortly after sitting down. Hearing the master say that various physical reactions during meditation are normal and nothing to worry about, I simply continued practicing diligently as usual. Nowadays, whenever I enter a state of contemplation, the top of my head often feels tight and swollen. I really enjoy contemplation, but I'm a bit afraid that being too mentally active might hinder my cultivation of concentration. However, sometimes thoughts arise spontaneously, so I just let it be.

Commentary: When the energy channels pass through the back of the head, pathogenic qi is expelled from the eyes, ears, nose, and tongue. Once this expulsion is complete, health is restored. Wherever the channels pass through, issues may arise, but once the energy flows through, they will improve. Sweating is a sign of expelling dampness; once it's expelled, it's fine. When the energy channels pass through the head, it indicates that the body's cultivation has largely reached completion, and both body and mind will undergo transformation. At this stage, enlightenment is not far off. Enlightenment cannot be separated from the transformation of body and mind. For body and mind to transform, the energy channels must be clear; the Ren Mai must be opened, and the Du Mai must at least reach the top of the head, or both the Ren and Du Mai must be fully opened. At this point, meditative concentration will reach the state prior to the attainment of dhyana (the first dhyana) and become complete. The conditions for enlightenment are then largely fulfilled. There's also a prerequisite: the understanding of the Dharma principles required for enlightenment must be clear. This is why the state prior to the attainment of dhyana is essential for enlightenment.