The Method of Zen Meditation: Vitarka and Vicāra

The initial effort in Chan meditation employs the method of "seeking" (vitarka). Seeking refers to the conscious mind coarsely searching for the target, the eighth consciousness, because when meditative concentration is not deep enough, wisdom power remains insufficient. When meditative concentration improves and the conscious mind becomes very deep and subtle, Chan meditation can transition to "observing" (vicāra). Observing is like a cat that has detected its target, waiting motionlessly in place for the target to appear. Because the conscious mind has already discerned the general target where the eighth consciousness manifests, it can engage in very deep and subtle contemplative observation, with mental activity almost still. At this stage in Chan meditation, one should have a sense of direction, knowing approximately where the Tathāgatagarbha (eighth consciousness) manifests, enabling the conscious mind to observe quietly, like a cat watching a mouse, and to engage in deep, subtle contemplative thought. This brings one close to enlightenment.

The method of Chan meditation can only be practiced when the true mind and the deluded mind function together; both must operate simultaneously. Within this, the true mind, the eighth consciousness, cannot engage in thinking activities. It cannot differentiate mental objects (dharma-dhātu) and cannot directly participate in Chan meditation. The deluded mind, the conscious mind, can think about all dharmas, differentiate the six sense objects, and can directly engage in Chan meditation. Therefore, Chan practice is still primarily carried out by the conscious mind. Because the conscious mind can correspond to and differentiate mental objects, its discriminative thinking can be extremely deep and subtle, possessing great discernment. All mental activities are primarily centered on the conscious mind, and Chan meditation is no exception.

Chan meditation is what is called "thought cultivation" (cintā-bhāvanā), also known as investigation (parīkṣā). Although Chan meditation by the conscious mind cannot be separated from thought, it is not mere imagination. It must not involve emotional conjecture or intellectual interpretation, nor should there be excessive analysis or speculation. It requires deep and subtle investigation under the condition of sufficient meditative concentration. This is deep-level thinking that has penetrated to the root of the mind (manas). This kind of thinking is very deep and subtle; thoughts are almost still, bordering on waiting. First, one searches for the target. After finding the target where the eighth consciousness manifests, one must observe like a cat watching a mouse, waiting to grasp it. At this stage, it is not passive waiting; deep-level thinking and investigation are still actively occurring within, a very secretive and meticulous probing for the subtle traces of the true mind's operation behind the deluded dharmas.

The initial stage of Chan meditation is searching or seeking; only the final stage is observing, waiting, where thoughts move deeply and slowly. Some say Chan meditation must be separated from the conscious mind. However, if separated from the conscious mind, there would be no thought to speak of; separating from the conscious mind means extinguishing it. Without the conscious mind, one is either in the state of the "no-thought samādhi" (asaṃjñi-samāpatti) or in deep, dreamless sleep. Without the conscious mind, Chan meditation is impossible. The conscious mind in the second dhyāna and above is too subtle and also cannot engage in Chan meditation. One must skillfully grasp the meditative state for Chan practice to be in the optimal condition for meditation, ultimately leading to the realization of the mind (明心) or seeing one's true nature (见性).