Before the break, I was explaining how to enter the area of true vacuum space from the area of matter. How can we cultivate to detach from all the traps and attachments of the area of matter, the area of light and sound, and the area of undulation? Because our current position is in the area of matter, we should at first train to have strong concentration power. How much concentration do we need to attain a point that we completely forget ourselves? Since we can’t reach the state of “no self”, then we should train our concentration to forget our body and mind. When we reach the state of “forgetting self”, Chi channels will accumulate energy in certain acupoint of our body, for example: Chakras, inner center of certain places, to become an energy ball. The time of “forgetting self” requires meditating for a long, long time, then the volume of the hollow energy ball will decrease, and it will condense into a very small energy ball, and will eventually explode. Then, our Chi channels will enter the state of light, once we enter the state of light, we enter Samadhi and the area of light and sound. From the area of light and sound, step by step, we will arrive naturally to the area of true vacuum space.
The starting point is very difficult, because the moment we start to meditate, we have all kinds of thoughts from everywhere. When finally the thoughts calm down, then the physical perception of soreness, numbness, coldness, swelling and pain comes. Thus, we need to go over these obstacles.
Now, let’s introduce some basic training methods of concentration. Buddhism has many methods to train our concentration to attain the state of Samadhi. Now let’s introduce some training on the power of concentration.
training methods on the power of concentration.
1. mindfulness
First of all, mindfulness. Being mindful and focusing your mind and consciousness inside of your body. Why do we need mindfulness? Mindfulness is to bring our mind and consciousness into our inner body and mind and be aware of them. For example, let our mind and consciousness focus on our Chakras and Chi channels. Mindfulness means that practitioners put their focus inside of their body and mind. Why do we use inner mindfulness? Some religions use exterior mindfulness. For example, we put something outside, and then our eyes look at this thing, not moving, training our concentration. We just need to focus on this thing. But I think that inner mindfulness is better. Why? Because most of the time, our six roots’ faculties are always expending outwardly, our ears always listen outside, and we don’t stop talking, all our energy is lost to the exterior. Thus, we should recollect it when doing meditation. Indeed, we rarely pay attention to our inner body and mind. Thus, it’s a bit better to choose inner mindfulness.
When we enter the state of “forgetting self”, there is no difference between internal and external. Because we forget our body. There is no internal and external. But when we just begin to practice, it’s better to focus our mind and consciousness inside of our body.
But there is a problem with this. When we practice inner mindfulness, we can’t see the internal things of our body, but to be mindful on the external things, they have forms and shapes. For example, your teacher let you stare at this thing for two hours today, at least you have a target. Sitting here staring at this cup may be possible, but if I ask you to stare at the heart Chakra inside, it will be very difficult to just sit there and be mindful, because you can’t see the state of your heart Chakra. Although this is very difficult, as long as we keep training ourselves, we can still succeed. It’s better for us to do the inner mindfulness.
The state of inner mindfulness is, for example, when we are mindful of the heart Chakra, we can’t see it, but we can feel it around this area – the numbness, the swelling, the heat, sometimes we can feel the light and image – all these belong to the stage of feelings and perceptions. First, we need to attain the state of “being fully aware, but not being moved”. This means that you are aware, but your heart is not affected. Your heart is not affected and moved and there is no discriminating mind. Being in this state, you start to slowly accumulate energy. The moment you discriminate, the energy dissipates.
Inner mindfulness is to focus your mind and consciousness on certain parts of your body, a bit similar to the Taoism’s method of internal focus for good health and longevity. Taoist’s focus is on the acupoint. It is a different part from what Buddhist methods choose. Many people don’t understand and always ask: “Master, why does Buddhism use three chi channels and seven chakras, but Taoism uses eight extra meridians? What is the difference?” This is because we are in the universe, and the angles of these two schools are different. For example, when Buddhism looks at the earth from the Milky Way, it is different from Taoism that looks at the earth from the Solar system. Buddhism looks at the universe and living beings from the perspective of a ball, a hollow ball. It’s a different angle. Thus, its Chakras are round, circle within a circle – this is the circle of Chakras. And Buddhism has the concept of “no self”. Thus, Buddhism looks at it as a hollow Chakra, and the middle Chakra enters the unconditioned space. The unconditioned Dharma enters the cultivation state of the exterior area of true vacuum space. But Taoism starts from maintaining good health and longevity: “I want to live eternally and become a deity.” It looks at the meridians based on the physical body, so it has eight extra meridians. From the angle of the universe, Taoism is in the position of the sun, along with the other twelve meridians and Xiao Zhou Tian (a week circulation from Ren meridian and Du meridian), because it is in the position of the Solar system, it has the system of the eight extra meridians. But the angle of Buddhism is looking from the center of the Milky Way – it’s just a different angle.
When we attain the state of “no heart”, and enter the area of true vacuum space, meridians don’t exist either. All meridians return to emptiness. If there is any Chakra, it is only the Middle meridian.
We choose the third eye Chakra as our general inner mindful position. I have a picture of Chakra here. People who haven’t cultivated esoteric Buddhism may not know this. Chakras include three Meridians and seven Chakras. On the top of our head, there is a Bai Hui acupoint. There is a Hui Yin acupoint on the bottom of our body. If you don’t understand, please go read some Chinese medicine books. Hui Yin acupoint is between the rectum and reproductive organ. The center on the top of our head has a Bai Hui acupoint. The line connecting Bai Hui and Hui Yin – this is the position of the Middle meridian. This is only a basic explanation, an easy and general explanation.
When we cultivate mindfulness, just focus on the area of the Middle meridian. The Middle meridian connects to the sky and connects to the earth, it doesn’t end within the human body, it’s above and below, it’s infinite – this area is only a part of a connection line. This is called the Crown Chakra. Its center is based on Bai Hui acupoint and draws circles infinitely. This Crown Chakra, based on its center Bai Hui acupoint, is unlimitedly big and small. It could be a point, a circle, or a surface. They are all called Crown Chakra. Then there are the Third-eye Chakra and the Throat Chakra. Third-eye Chakra is between the two eyebrows. The Throat Chakra is behind the Adam’s apple. The Heart Chakra is in the middle of the chest. The Navel Chakra is located at the intersection of the Middle meridian and the cross-section of our bellybutton – it’s inside of our body center, not outside. This Hui Yin acupoint is the Root Chakra. In Hinduism, it is called the Chakra of reproduction. Its location is similar to the lower elixir field (Xia Dan Tian) of Taoism, approximately ten centimeters below the bellybutton. This place is very important, it’s the gathering place of our vitality and energy. Humans have three treasures: vitality, energy, and spirit. The location of the Root Chakra is the gathering place of vitality and energy. Thus, we can focus our mind on this place. We also call it “focusing on the Region of Growth”. Regardless of what name we give it, what you need to know is that some parts of your physical body are very important – you must clearly understand these parts if you want to cultivate.
When you focus your mind and consciousness internally, if you focus on these parts, your cultivation will progress faster. Hinduism calls this area the Chakra of reproduction. Or we call it the lower elixir field (Xia Dan Tian), or we call it the Region of Growth – it’s all the same. There is also a Brahmarandhra Chakra, about ten centimeters from the top of our head. The Brahmarandhra Chakra can only be seen when the Dharma-body Buddha is attained. Otherwise, we can’t see this Chakra. There is one more Chakra at the base of the spine. This area is also a part of the Root Chakra, and it’s very important. Thus, when we initiate the energy of the Root Chakra, we should pay attention to the Chakra at the base of the spine. It’s very important.
We should have some understanding of these Meridians and Chakras in our body, and why? Because our meridians are countless and limitless. Exactly how many? A classic Sutra mentions about a total of 7200 meridians. But I believe that there are much more meridians than this number. They are as countless as the rivers on earth. For example, there are many, many rivers in China, but the most important ones are the Long River and the Yellow River. Just like these Meridians and Chakras, the most important ones are like the Long River and Yellow Rivers in China. They are very important parts in our body. Therefore, if we want to cultivate and be mindful inwardly, we must pay attention to these Meridians and Chakras, through them accumulating energy to transform into light, and completely transform and purify our body and mind. Thus, we should remember: the Crown Chakra, the Chakra of Third-eye, the Throat Chakra, the Heart Chakra, the Navel Chakra, the Chakra of reproduction, the Root Chakra and the Brahmarandhra Chakra. If we don’t understand, we should go read some books. We can find all these on the internet.
When we meditate, our consciousness and mind should focus on these areas. But when we try to be aware and focus, I found out that there is a common misunderstanding. We actually use our consciousness and mind to think about the Chakra. This is not mindfulness – this is using your brain to think. If you use your brain to think about the Heart Chakra’s position, then you are only thinking about a problem. Reflecting on the Heart Chakra is not “thinking” about it, but watching over it. Watching over or being mindful means that your energy needs to move to this area. This is not thinking, because when you think, your energy is still in your head.
When we focus our consciousness and mind, this means our energy and heart need to concentrate into the focused area. At this time, if you can’t fully understand this method, you can breathe in, all the way to the Heart Chakra, and breathe out from the Heart Chakra. Take a breath to the Heart Chakra, because when the Chi arrives, your heart and mind will also be there. Like this, for a few times, you let it release. Ease your body and mind and then watch over it – this is also a method.
When you are mindful, try not to move your position – this means don’t move your focus around, unless there is a teacher that guides you. Then that is a different story. Because if there is a teacher who guides you, there will be some special causes and connections. But when you cultivate at home, it’s better you focus your consciousness and mind toward one area for a longer time, then another one. Some mindfulness cultivation methods will change your area of focus. And this is because when we are cleaning some of our internal obstacles, or when some of our Meridians are very blocked, moving the area of focus is better. But if you want to practice concentration, then don’t move around your focus, because like this, it’s easier to accumulate energy in one place, and quickly transform it.
When you practice mindfulness, the parts you are focusing on will have feelings of hot, numb, cold, swelling and pain, or you will feel your body becoming big or small, as well as light, brightness and images – these are all normal. If you don’t experience any of these, it’s also normal. Thus, we don’t need to be surprised about all the feelings in the area of matter. If our concentration reaches the state of “forgetting ‘self'”, we can quickly gather energy in our body.