Entering Into Samadhi
Good! We will now discuss the methods of how to enter into Samadhi. [Grand Master Lu rings the bell]. In my books and practice notes, I often mentioned that one first has to do the Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise and then the Inner Fire Exercise before entering Samadhi. Actually one only needs to perform the Nine Round Buddha Breath and may save the Inner Fire Exercise for when one embarks on the Internal Practice. If one is already proficient in igniting the inner fire, then one may include this step in the liturgy. However, if one’s inner fire is not yet kindles or, instead of inner fire, if one actually has an inner frost which practically makes it impossible for the fire to be lit, then one will only feel coldness all over when one does this visualization during the practice. The effort will be spent in vain. Therefore, one should first do the Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise and postpone the Inner Fire Exercise to the stage of Internal Practice.
What is Samadhi? Samadhi is “inner stability” or “inner stillness”, which is the goal for sitting meditation! Therefore Samadhi is extremely important. In Buddhism, there is the “Study of the Three Non-outflows” wherein one aims to attain disciplines (abiding in precepts), stability, and wisdom. Why does one have to have disciplines? It is so that one can obtain stability. Why does one practice asceticism? It is so that one can obtain stability. Why does one practice non-asceticism? It is also so that one can obtain stability. There are many practice methods, and all their goals are aimed at achieving the state of stability. From stability or stillness, the supreme wisdom or Transcendent Awareness is generated. Without stability, one cannot secure wisdom.
Many people say that they cannot practice stillness or meditation, as their minds are always racing in different directions and remain confused. Instead of always in focused concentration. They are always distracted. When one is distracted and confused, will wisdom be generated? When one is psychologically disoriented, emotionally unbalanced, and physically tense, the innate wisdom is temporarily dispersed and lost, and one will commit many acts that are unreasonable and even unlawful. In moments of confusion, one will commit all kinds of outrages. A person who abides in an inner stability handles every single matter with the supreme wisdom that is generated from this inner stability. There is no problem that cannot be solved when one approaches it with wisdom. Without this inner stability, such wisdom or insight will not be produced. All Five Buddha Wisdoms manifest from inner stillness.
Disciplines Give Rise To Stability
The purpose of disciplines is to secure stillness. Therefore those spiritual cultivators who practice renunciation and asceticism in the Himalayas, India, Tibet, and other remote areas are all seeking this state of stillness. In Buddhism, if one has obtained this stillness, one will no longer be bound by disciplines. The purpose of disciplines is to generate this stillness so, when one truly knows what stillness is, one can transcend the limit of disciplines. This is very profound. It does not mean that one does not have to observe the disciplines anymore, nor does it mean that one can be unruly and acts arbitrarily; the inner stability will be lost. Once this inner stability or equilibrium is lost, wisdom will remain hidden. From this standpoint alone, it would be wrong to abandon the disciplines. So I say this: if one can remain centered in this inner stability, one does not have to be bound by the disciplines; if one cannot remain centered in this inner stability, one must continue to observe the disciplines. This is a profound truth.
Some students have criticized me for singing karaoke, dancing Tango, and drinking liquors – actions which I have done in the post but don’t do anymore. They commented, “How can a guru have such indulgences?” They found such actions offensive and wrote me notes asking to quit doing them. They were trying to supervise me! [Audiences laugh]. It is not easy to be a master, I would rather be the student since, besides writing notes to the master, I could make transgressions without letting the master do anything about it. [Audience laugh]
The question is: can one remain centered in one’s mind after consumes alcohol? If one still has control of one’s mind, then it is all right – one is not drunk. But then, many drunkards also claim “I am not drunk!” [Uproar of audience laugh] I, indeed, was able to remain centered and was not drunk. This is the first point. If one does not became drunk, then one can drink. If one drinks, loses control, and breaks the precepts, the one should not drink! When I drink, I am able to remain mindful, so I can drink!
When I was young and living in Kaohsiung, I used to go dancing at the Shirley Dancing Club, which was downstairs from the Hou Te Fu Restaurant by the side of the Love River. The dancing club has since been relocated to the Ling Ya District. I was in my early twenties and quite infatuated with dancing! For example, even if I had gone dancing the day before, the next day I would be waiting to see if some buddy would want my company to go dancing. The dancing girls will all wore close-fitting cheongsams, which revealed their curvaceous figures, and their make-up and perfumes exuded strong fragrances. One’s sense organs were deluged by the smells, images, and tactile sensations. There were the sensations from hands touching and from close body contact. [Audience laugh] In Taiwan’s dancing clubs, a piece of music with a quick tempo, such as disco, was usually played first. This was followed by a Tango, then a slow piece, such as the blues, and then the Pattern would be repeated. During the blues, the slow dance, all the lights would be dimmed and the dancing girl would lean towards one, even if one didn’t lean towards her. [Audience laugh] It couldn’t be helped as it was so dark that one could not see very well and had to grope around. When one went home, the mind would be perturbed and be filled with the infatuated thoughts. At such a moment, it would be very easy to lose one’s mindfulness.
Buddhism teaches that one should not visit pornographic shops, dance clubs, or nightclubs. The main reason for this is that it is very easy for one to lose the disciplines or mindfulness in such places. However, if one can remain centered while dancing and regard the dancing as a form of exercise and if, as soon as one goes to bed, one is able to fall asleep without any thought of the dancing - if one still maintains one’s mindfulness – then it is all right to dance. If one goes to nightclubs to hear or to sing songs and, when one d=goes home, one does not dwell on the nightclub, if songs do not continue to swirl inside one’s mind, then one may continue to go to nightclubs. If one does not become infatuated with the melodies in the nightclubs, nor with the beautiful women in the dancing clubs, then one may visit these clubs and consider them an embellishment of life.
But I also have been asked by a student, “Grand Master if you are not infatuated with the songs and dances, then why do you visit clubs?” Well, his question does make some sense. Do I have to visit those clubs? Since what he said make a valid point. I don’t go to clubs anymore. [Audience laugh]
The fact is, I can either go or not go and, by this I mean, I am completely free. When the situation of visiting these clubs presents itself, I remain centered, whether I go or not. Because of the ability to remain centered, then, one is still observing the precepts and does not become bound by the precepts.
I did not have this inner stability when I was young. To be candid, there was a period of time in my twenties when I was once vulnerable to seductive influences. Anyway, this was my past. Do I now become infatuated at all? No, it is not possible, not even if the greatest seduction presents itself. Perhaps it is futile to make such a statement, as you might not believe me. [Audience laugh] The truth is, when one generates this authentic inner stability in the practice of Tantrayana, one can engage in the practice of the Highest Tantra. However, if one does not have this inner stability, then let me tell you, it will instead result in the birth of a baby.
There is a level of practice among the highest Tantric practices that only people who have arrived at an inner stability can engage in. This level is, in general, not divulged to people who have not reached such a level in Tantric practices. It is a breaking of the percepts to divulge it. A person who has truly reached this level abides in the precepts without being ruled by them. It is a realm that differs completely from ordinary and worldly customs, conventions, and laws. Under those conditions, such as a person is still abiding by the percepts because he still is. From disciplines, one enters into this inner stability which enables one to abide continuously in the pure nature of mind. It is very simple – when one obtains and maintains this stability, it is equivalent to observing all the precepts. It is an extraordinary power.
Basics [21]. More to come.....
Readers can write to asklotuschef@gmail.com for a .pdf or .doc copy of this book.
Om Guru Lian Sheng Siddhi Hom
Lama Lotuschef
Good! We will now discuss the methods of how to enter into Samadhi. [Grand Master Lu rings the bell]. In my books and practice notes, I often mentioned that one first has to do the Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise and then the Inner Fire Exercise before entering Samadhi. Actually one only needs to perform the Nine Round Buddha Breath and may save the Inner Fire Exercise for when one embarks on the Internal Practice. If one is already proficient in igniting the inner fire, then one may include this step in the liturgy. However, if one’s inner fire is not yet kindles or, instead of inner fire, if one actually has an inner frost which practically makes it impossible for the fire to be lit, then one will only feel coldness all over when one does this visualization during the practice. The effort will be spent in vain. Therefore, one should first do the Nine Round Buddha Breath Exercise and postpone the Inner Fire Exercise to the stage of Internal Practice.
What is Samadhi? Samadhi is “inner stability” or “inner stillness”, which is the goal for sitting meditation! Therefore Samadhi is extremely important. In Buddhism, there is the “Study of the Three Non-outflows” wherein one aims to attain disciplines (abiding in precepts), stability, and wisdom. Why does one have to have disciplines? It is so that one can obtain stability. Why does one practice asceticism? It is so that one can obtain stability. Why does one practice non-asceticism? It is also so that one can obtain stability. There are many practice methods, and all their goals are aimed at achieving the state of stability. From stability or stillness, the supreme wisdom or Transcendent Awareness is generated. Without stability, one cannot secure wisdom.
Many people say that they cannot practice stillness or meditation, as their minds are always racing in different directions and remain confused. Instead of always in focused concentration. They are always distracted. When one is distracted and confused, will wisdom be generated? When one is psychologically disoriented, emotionally unbalanced, and physically tense, the innate wisdom is temporarily dispersed and lost, and one will commit many acts that are unreasonable and even unlawful. In moments of confusion, one will commit all kinds of outrages. A person who abides in an inner stability handles every single matter with the supreme wisdom that is generated from this inner stability. There is no problem that cannot be solved when one approaches it with wisdom. Without this inner stability, such wisdom or insight will not be produced. All Five Buddha Wisdoms manifest from inner stillness.
Disciplines Give Rise To Stability
The purpose of disciplines is to secure stillness. Therefore those spiritual cultivators who practice renunciation and asceticism in the Himalayas, India, Tibet, and other remote areas are all seeking this state of stillness. In Buddhism, if one has obtained this stillness, one will no longer be bound by disciplines. The purpose of disciplines is to generate this stillness so, when one truly knows what stillness is, one can transcend the limit of disciplines. This is very profound. It does not mean that one does not have to observe the disciplines anymore, nor does it mean that one can be unruly and acts arbitrarily; the inner stability will be lost. Once this inner stability or equilibrium is lost, wisdom will remain hidden. From this standpoint alone, it would be wrong to abandon the disciplines. So I say this: if one can remain centered in this inner stability, one does not have to be bound by the disciplines; if one cannot remain centered in this inner stability, one must continue to observe the disciplines. This is a profound truth.
Some students have criticized me for singing karaoke, dancing Tango, and drinking liquors – actions which I have done in the post but don’t do anymore. They commented, “How can a guru have such indulgences?” They found such actions offensive and wrote me notes asking to quit doing them. They were trying to supervise me! [Audiences laugh]. It is not easy to be a master, I would rather be the student since, besides writing notes to the master, I could make transgressions without letting the master do anything about it. [Audience laugh]
The question is: can one remain centered in one’s mind after consumes alcohol? If one still has control of one’s mind, then it is all right – one is not drunk. But then, many drunkards also claim “I am not drunk!” [Uproar of audience laugh] I, indeed, was able to remain centered and was not drunk. This is the first point. If one does not became drunk, then one can drink. If one drinks, loses control, and breaks the precepts, the one should not drink! When I drink, I am able to remain mindful, so I can drink!
When I was young and living in Kaohsiung, I used to go dancing at the Shirley Dancing Club, which was downstairs from the Hou Te Fu Restaurant by the side of the Love River. The dancing club has since been relocated to the Ling Ya District. I was in my early twenties and quite infatuated with dancing! For example, even if I had gone dancing the day before, the next day I would be waiting to see if some buddy would want my company to go dancing. The dancing girls will all wore close-fitting cheongsams, which revealed their curvaceous figures, and their make-up and perfumes exuded strong fragrances. One’s sense organs were deluged by the smells, images, and tactile sensations. There were the sensations from hands touching and from close body contact. [Audience laugh] In Taiwan’s dancing clubs, a piece of music with a quick tempo, such as disco, was usually played first. This was followed by a Tango, then a slow piece, such as the blues, and then the Pattern would be repeated. During the blues, the slow dance, all the lights would be dimmed and the dancing girl would lean towards one, even if one didn’t lean towards her. [Audience laugh] It couldn’t be helped as it was so dark that one could not see very well and had to grope around. When one went home, the mind would be perturbed and be filled with the infatuated thoughts. At such a moment, it would be very easy to lose one’s mindfulness.
Buddhism teaches that one should not visit pornographic shops, dance clubs, or nightclubs. The main reason for this is that it is very easy for one to lose the disciplines or mindfulness in such places. However, if one can remain centered while dancing and regard the dancing as a form of exercise and if, as soon as one goes to bed, one is able to fall asleep without any thought of the dancing - if one still maintains one’s mindfulness – then it is all right to dance. If one goes to nightclubs to hear or to sing songs and, when one d=goes home, one does not dwell on the nightclub, if songs do not continue to swirl inside one’s mind, then one may continue to go to nightclubs. If one does not become infatuated with the melodies in the nightclubs, nor with the beautiful women in the dancing clubs, then one may visit these clubs and consider them an embellishment of life.
But I also have been asked by a student, “Grand Master if you are not infatuated with the songs and dances, then why do you visit clubs?” Well, his question does make some sense. Do I have to visit those clubs? Since what he said make a valid point. I don’t go to clubs anymore. [Audience laugh]
The fact is, I can either go or not go and, by this I mean, I am completely free. When the situation of visiting these clubs presents itself, I remain centered, whether I go or not. Because of the ability to remain centered, then, one is still observing the precepts and does not become bound by the precepts.
I did not have this inner stability when I was young. To be candid, there was a period of time in my twenties when I was once vulnerable to seductive influences. Anyway, this was my past. Do I now become infatuated at all? No, it is not possible, not even if the greatest seduction presents itself. Perhaps it is futile to make such a statement, as you might not believe me. [Audience laugh] The truth is, when one generates this authentic inner stability in the practice of Tantrayana, one can engage in the practice of the Highest Tantra. However, if one does not have this inner stability, then let me tell you, it will instead result in the birth of a baby.
There is a level of practice among the highest Tantric practices that only people who have arrived at an inner stability can engage in. This level is, in general, not divulged to people who have not reached such a level in Tantric practices. It is a breaking of the percepts to divulge it. A person who has truly reached this level abides in the precepts without being ruled by them. It is a realm that differs completely from ordinary and worldly customs, conventions, and laws. Under those conditions, such as a person is still abiding by the percepts because he still is. From disciplines, one enters into this inner stability which enables one to abide continuously in the pure nature of mind. It is very simple – when one obtains and maintains this stability, it is equivalent to observing all the precepts. It is an extraordinary power.
Basics [21]. More to come.....
Readers can write to asklotuschef@gmail.com for a .pdf or .doc copy of this book.
Om Guru Lian Sheng Siddhi Hom
Lama Lotuschef
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