How to Enter Samadhi Quickly

During meditation, contemplating the Dharma principles leads to faster and deeper absorption than silently reciting the Heart Sutra or mantras. It is quicker than achieving absorption through breath regulation and surpasses all other methods in speed. This applies to individuals of sharp faculties with minimal afflictions and few wandering thoughts, as they already possess a foundation in meditative concentration, allowing them to omit preliminary expedients. However, for novice practitioners of concentration who are easily distracted with heavy mental clinging and numerous thoughts, the more they contemplate, the more chaotic their minds become. Without meditative absorption, thoughts become mere distractions that unsettle the mind. Such individuals should postpone contemplation until they have established a foundation in meditative concentration. When I sit cross-legged, I need no preliminary methods. I immediately plunge into profound contemplation—a state of mental exploration by the manas, devoid of conscious thought. After settling into the cross-legged posture, I first focus on the Dharma principle to be contemplated, then stabilize my mind fixedly upon it, free from any wandering thoughts. This is the state of the manas engaging in contemplative inquiry.

The manas contemplates profoundly yet slowly, but thoroughly. Conscious thought is rapid yet shallow, lacking thoroughness and depth. Conscious thought serves as a preliminary expedient, aiming to trigger contemplation by the manas. Initially, this is a necessary process. Within the contemplative inquiry of the manas, there is almost no acquisition of knowledge; it does not increase one's knowledge base. Yet, it is profoundly engaging, carrying a deep sense of exploratory delight and a hazy joy akin to the verge of discovering something. It unfolds the wisdom inherent within one's own mind. This wisdom is not obtained externally; what is gained externally is merely knowledge. Upon reaching this state, one no longer feels fatigue. I can sit for an entire morning or even a whole day, compelled to rise only by lingering attachments in the heart.