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Chapter 118 The True Meaning of Meditation

A bookstore with a bourgeois atmosphere on the pedestrian street in Jiangdong District.

There is a wall filled with books and a workbench with a bean grinder and coffee machine.

Many people sit down, order a drink, flip through books and while away the time, making this place look more like a cafe in a bookstore.

Sitting by the window, a woman with a mature and charming temperament frowned slightly, her beautiful legs wrapped in lead-gray suit trousers were crossed, and her buttocks were rounded.

With slender fingers as white as jade, she held a small bone china spoon and stirred the coffee cup continuously, but her eyes were fixed on the street view outside the window.

The simple and capable women's suit still cannot conceal her plump and graceful figure.

She had a white silk scarf tied around her neck and hanging in front of her chest, which not only added a touch of elegance to her, but also concealed her overly proud curves.

Feeling the glances secretly drifting over from time to time from all around, Lin Chuqiao's lips curled up slightly, and she couldn't help but feel secretly proud, but also a little helpless.

With an angelic face, a devilish figure, and awakened special abilities, she has always been very confident.

With just a glance into the crowd, he could easily capture unsuspecting prey for his own use.

Especially those stinky men are bewitched and made to do whatever they say.

When I turned around and left, I instantly forgot all the memories.

However, the guy she met recently made her feel helpless for the first time and it was difficult for her to see through his mind.

Thinking of this, Lin Chuqiao lowered his head and looked at a piece of drawing paper on the table.

He stared at the figure of a young man studying in the library, a little absent-minded.

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a figure who had just walked in.

The date finally arrived.

I saw that the other person had a tall figure, a handsome face, and deep and mysterious eyes.

Wearing gold-rimmed glasses made him look more gentle and harmless.

"Glasses?"

Lin Chuqiao was slightly stunned.

He immediately put away the painting and pretended to pick up a collection of prose poems, as if he was reading the wonderful articles in it.

Fang Cheng asked the waiter and glanced at the seats surrounded by bookshelves.

He walked straight towards the familiar figure and was the first to say hello:

"Ms. Lin, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Lin Chuqiao raised her eyes, then closed the book, smiled and gestured for him to sit down:
"Can't I just chat with you when I have nothing to do? We are friends after all."

Then, she asked Fang Cheng politely what he wanted to drink and said she would treat him.

Fang Cheng waved his hand, indicating that he was not used to drinking coffee.

The two exchanged a few pleasantries and sat down.

Lin Chuqiao carefully observed Xia Fengcheng's eyes and asked curiously:
"Why did you remember to wear glasses? I almost didn't recognize you just now."

"I've been too tired from reading lately, so a pair of glasses can help protect my eyesight a little."

Fang Cheng pushed the frame of his glasses and explained casually.

"Oh."

Lin Chuqiao smiled and nodded, without asking any further questions.

then.

The atmosphere was weird as two people, both wearing glasses, sat facing each other.

After all, neither of them knows much about the other's situation, and there is always a lack of common topics.

As if he had noticed this, Lin Chuqiao took the initiative to speak and asked with concern:

"How is your life lately? Have you encountered any difficult problems and need help?"

Fang Cheng glanced at her in surprise when he heard that.

After thinking about it, he said unceremoniously:

"I have indeed encountered a rather troublesome problem recently." Lin Chuqiao immediately became interested and looked at him expectantly.

Fang Cheng paused for a moment and then continued:

"After listening to your advice last time, I decided to learn meditation and cultivate my character, but I encountered some obstacles and couldn't break through."

“Just meditation?”

A flash of disappointment flashed across Lin Chuqiao's eyes.

Then he said in a calm tone:
"You can describe the problem you encountered in detail, and perhaps I can provide some advice."

Fang Cheng guessed that she should have some research in this area.

So I roughly talked about the experiences and feelings I had during the meditation process.

Lin Chuqiao frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and replied:

“The key to meditation practice is to maintain the habit, to have a clear goal, and to overcome the distracting thoughts in your mind.”

"When broken down in detail, there are eight steps: keeping precepts, making progress, sitting posture, regulating breathing, concentrating the mind, concentrating the mind, entering into concentration, and samadhi, which are the traditional eight-limbed practice."

"According to your description, you have already achieved the step of concentrating your mind, but you have a misunderstanding of the step of concentrating your spirit."

At this point, Lin Chuqiao said in a slightly serious tone:

"I would like to ask you a few questions first. What do you think the meaning of keeping the precepts is? What do you think the meaning of concentrating the mind and concentrating the spirit is?"

Hearing the question, Fang Cheng thought for a moment, then answered:
"Observing the precepts should be done in a similar way to monks observing the precepts to suppress the distracting thoughts and desires that arise in one's mind."

"As for concentrating the mind and focusing the spirit, it means staying focused, clearing away distracting thoughts, eliminating external interference, and allowing the consciousness to be in an extremely self-awake state."

Lin Chuqiao smiled and shook his head when he heard this:
"You are only talking about the concept of meditation as understood by ordinary people."

“The real meaning of keeping the precepts is not to restrain oneself or suppress negative thoughts, but to use appropriate methods to assist and guide oneself onto the right track.”

“As the first step in meditation practice, its primary function is to set a correct direction for oneself and avoid meaningless mental consumption.”

"Because if you start in the wrong direction, no matter how hard you work, it will be a waste of energy and useless work."

“Although many people can successfully reach the state of tranquility through different methods, the problems they encounter at the beginning will always bother them and prevent them from getting past the stage of concentration.”

"So, if you want to truly achieve meditation, the key lies in 'goal' and 'guidance'."

"Goals and guidance?"

After listening to Lin Chuqiao's explanation, Fang Cheng became even more confused.

“Clear goals and specific guidance methods.”

Lin Chuqiao nodded and continued:

“These two points seem simple, but they are actually very difficult to do, because the so-called ‘goal’ is not something you want to achieve, but…”

She seemed to have thought of something and stopped talking abruptly.

Then he took out a slightly worn business card from his wallet and handed it to Fang Cheng:

"Some things are hard to describe clearly with words. If you really want to take your meditation practice to a higher level, you can go to this place and take a look. Then you will understand a lot more."

"I once stumbled into it by accident and stayed there for a while, which changed my fixed preconceptions about this world."

Fang Cheng took the business card and looked at it carefully.

There were a few bold words written on it: "Truth and Meditation Study Group."

"Thank you."

Fang Cheng suddenly felt that this woman was simply his mentor and friend.

I couldn't help but want to know more about her background and improve our relationship.

Lin Chuqiao then added mysteriously:
"I'll give you a piece of advice in advance. When you attend this 'Real Thoughts Meeting', remember to wear glasses and don't reveal your true identity."

Hearing these meaningful words and looking at her mischievous eyes.

Fang Cheng couldn't help but temporarily suppress the favorable impression that had just emerged.

(End of this chapter)