Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 10: A First Glimpse into the Samadhi Realm - "First Exploration of the Zen Meditation Levels, Surprising Encounters of Strange Visions"

Amid the resounding morning and evening bells of the ancient Indian temple, time seemed to march by like a steady walker, its pace neither hurried nor slow. Having endured the many trials and tribulations of my previous practice, I now stood at a new starting point, embarking on a wondrous journey of exploring the profound meditative realm of Samadhi, attempting to gradually transcend worldly meditation and delve into the mysterious realm of transcendental concentration.

One day, sunlight streamed through the temple windows, casting a crisscross pattern of light and shadow on the cushion where I sat in meditation. I controlled my breathing, allowing my body and mind to gradually calm, and then slowly entered a state of meditation. As my meditation deepened, everything around me seemed shrouded in a thin veil. The world grew increasingly quiet, and my consciousness seemed to embark on a unique journey through a vast, boundless void.

At first, all I saw was a hazy flicker of light, like distant stars winking playfully in the night sky. But as my meditation deepened, strange visions surged upon me like a tide. I felt as if I were in a fairyland ablaze with blossoms. Soft, green grass lay beneath my feet, dotted with countless exotic flowers, each shimmering with soft light and emitting a refreshing fragrance. In the distance, towering mountains reached the sky, and beneath them flowed a dazzling golden stream. The water crashed against the rocks, and the splashes seemed to transform into flocks of ethereal birds, circling and dancing in the air, chirping melodiously.

Witnessing this dreamlike scene, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of wonder and amazement. This was a wondrous sight unlike anything I'd ever experienced in my previous practice. It was like stepping into a whole new world, a mysterious realm that existed only in the depths of meditation. Yet, amidst this delight, a lingering sense of doubt crept into my heart. Where did these visions originate? What profound meaning and implications did they hold?

As I slowly emerged from my meditation, my mind was still haunted by the strange scene. Filled with confusion and anticipation, I hurried to the temple elder's residence. The elder's meditation room was located in the temple's backyard, surrounded by several ancient bodhi trees. The breeze rustled the leaves, whispering ancient Buddhist wisdom. I knocked gently on the door, and after the elder's permission, I stepped inside. The room was filled with the faint scent of sandalwood. The elder sat upright on a cushion, his eyes radiating endless peace and depth.

After respectfully bowing to the elder, I couldn't wait to recount the bizarre visions I had witnessed during my meditation. The elder nodded slightly, a faint smile on his face, and said, "My disciple, although these visions may seem wondrous, you must not be deceived by them. In meditation, the mind is extremely powerful, capable of conjuring up all sorts of illusions. These illusions, like mirages and reflections on the water, are not real. They may be reflections of your deepest karma and obsessions, or they may be temporary phenomena within the meditative state, with no direct connection to the true meaning of liberation from the cycle of birth and death. You must always maintain inner clarity and vigilance, using the wisdom of the Dharma to discern their true nature, and avoid becoming obsessed with the pursuit of illusions."

The elder's teachings were like a revelation, a sudden enlightenment. My doubts and attachments instantly dissipated, replaced by a deeper reverence and reflection on meditation. I knew the path of spiritual practice was like navigating a thorny landscape, fraught with temptations and traps. These seemingly beautiful illusions of meditation might be a hidden test within them.

At a spiritual practice exchange meeting organized by a temple, I gathered with many fellow practitioners in the temple's main hall. Sunlight streamed through the skylight, creating golden beams of light. Motes of dust danced within the beams, adding a touch of mystery to the solemn hall. In the spirit of sharing and connecting, I recounted my own extraordinary experiences in meditation.

After hearing this, the practitioners displayed a variety of expressions. Some had eyes sparkling with envy, as if imagining how wonderful it would be to experience such a scene firsthand; some fell into deep thought, seemingly pondering the deeper meaning behind these scenes; and still others shook their heads slightly, a hint of disapproval on their faces.

A fellow practitioner named Hui Neng was the first to speak. "Brother, I too have entered a deep state of meditation, but the vision I saw was very different from yours. What I saw was an endless sea of ​​fire, blazing fiercely, as if it were about to engulf the entire world. The scorching heat seemed to be literally baking my body and soul, causing me unbearable pain."

Another practitioner, Fa Jing, followed up, saying, "When I was meditating, I envisioned a desolate desert, with howling winds and billowing yellow sand. I struggled through the desert, my mouth dry, and it felt like I would never find a way out. That feeling of despair and helplessness is still deeply engraved in my mind."

As everyone shared their meditation experiences, I was surprised to find that everyone's experiences were so different. This discovery sparked a lively and in-depth discussion.

“Why is there such a huge difference in what we see in meditation? Does this mean that there is an essential difference in our levels of practice?” a young fellow practitioner asked doubtfully.

"I think these scenes may be related to our personal karma and focus of practice. For example, people with more hatred in their hearts may see more terrifying and painful scenes in meditation; while people with compassion and good intentions may encounter peaceful and beautiful pictures." An elderly fellow practitioner analyzed thoughtfully.

"But this is not absolute. Meditation is an extremely complex state of mind, which is influenced by many factors, including our karma in previous lives, the way of practice in this life, and the current fluctuations in our mood." I also joined the discussion and shared my thoughts and insights.

Throughout this discussion, everyone expressed their own perspectives, sparking new ideas. Initially, we were curious about and puzzled by the images of meditation, but gradually delved into a deeper exploration of the essence of meditation. What is the true purpose of meditation? Are these ever-changing images a guide to liberation, or a distraction on the path to practice? And how can we, amidst the complexities of meditation, remain steadfast in the true path of Buddhism, undeterred by illusions and ultimately achieve breakthroughs and spiritual advancement?

As the discussion deepened, I increasingly felt the length and difficulty of the spiritual path. Each new realm is like a towering mountain, requiring immense effort and wisdom to climb. In this climb, we must not only face the temptations and distractions of the outside world, but also constantly examine our own hearts, discerning the arising and passing of every thought, and using the wisdom of the Dharma to illuminate the path forward.

In the days that followed, I often found myself alone in a corner of the temple, lost in thought. I recalled my journey, from the initial confusion and bewilderment upon entering the temple, to gradually overcoming my gross discriminating thoughts and entering the state of no-searching, only-observing, and then to the various trials and growth I experienced in that state. Each stage was like an unforgettable experience, deepening my understanding and insight into the Dharma. And now, at this initial glimpse of samadhi, I was once again troubled and bewildered by this strange sight. But I knew deeply that all of this was part of the practice, a necessary step on the path to liberation.

I began to delve more diligently into Buddhist scriptures, seeking to find deeper explanations and guidance for meditation within the ancient texts. I often spent entire days in the Sutra Library, surrounded by mountains of scrolls, poring over them word by word, meticulously searching for any clues that might pertain to meditation. In this process, I sometimes felt ecstatic upon grasping the profound meaning of a single verse, and sometimes found myself bewildered by the complexities of the text. But I never gave up, believing that with persistent exploration and study, I would eventually dispel the mysteries of meditation and grasp its true secrets.

At the same time, my relationship with that female practitioner was quietly evolving amidst this wave of spiritual practice. In our daily practice, we encouraged and mentored each other, integrating our affection for each other into our shared pursuit of the Dharma. Whenever I encountered confusion or setbacks in my practice, she offered comfort and inspiration with her gentleness and wisdom. And when she faced bottlenecks in her practice, I would pour out all my knowledge and discuss with her, helping her find a path forward. We both understood that this relationship, within the broader context of spiritual practice, was both a precious bond and a test that required careful consideration. We strived to find a balance between our emotions and our spiritual practice, allowing our relationship to serve as a force for spiritual advancement, rather than a hindrance.

In my daily practice at the temple, I still face trivial conflicts of interest. While the temple's resource distribution is relatively fair, minor details can still spark disputes. For example, the distribution of practice supplies can sometimes be insufficient or of uneven quality. These minor issues can lead to dissatisfaction and arguments among some practitioners, and as a member of the temple, I'm often caught up in them. Whenever I encounter such situations, I offer my counsel with the compassion and tolerance of the Dharma, helping them understand that on the path of practice, material gains and losses are not paramount; what is truly valuable is inner peace and spiritual progress. However, not every attempt at persuasion goes smoothly, and I sometimes encounter misunderstandings and resistance from some practitioners, who believe I'm favoring one side or being pretentious. Faced with these misunderstandings, I've felt aggrieved and helpless, but I quickly adjust my mindset, viewing these experiences as further trials in my practice and approaching them with a more peaceful mind.

As I delved deeper into meditation, I gradually realized that it's not simply about pursuing exotic visions or unique mental experiences, but rather a profound refinement and purification of the mind. During my practice in Samadhi, I needed to learn to maintain inner stability and focus amidst the shifting landscapes and mental states, unwavering in external distractions and undivided by inner desires. It's like steering a small boat on a turbulent sea. Only by firmly grasping the rudder and steadfastly navigating toward the shore can one avoid losing direction amidst the storm.

By chance, I heard about a distinguished monk living in seclusion near the temple. He was said to have achieved remarkable mastery in meditation, especially in the practice of samadhi. I decided to visit him, hoping to gain further enlightenment and guidance on meditation.

I set out on the journey to the monk's residence. Along the way, I passed through dense forests and crossed gurgling streams, my heart filled with anticipation and trepidation for the upcoming meeting. When I finally arrived at the monk's residence, I found it a simple, peaceful cottage surrounded by a lush bamboo forest. The breeze rustled the bamboo leaves, creating a natural Zen melody.

I gently pushed open the door of the hut and saw the monk sitting on a cushion inside, eyes closed, seemingly in a state of meditation. Not daring to disturb him, I quietly stood by, waiting for him to come out of his trance. After a long moment, the monk slowly opened his eyes and fixed his gaze on me, revealing a transcendental tranquility and depth.

I bowed respectfully to the monk and explained the purpose of my visit. The monk nodded slightly, motioned for me to sit, and then slowly began, "The path of meditation is like a long, winding river, with both calm surfaces and turbulent undercurrents. The strange sights you've experienced are but waves in this long river, beautiful yet dangerous. In your practice of Samadhi, you must learn to transcend these appearances and delve into the essence of your mind. Contemplate everything with the wisdom of emptiness, viewing joy and pain, illusion and reality as manifestations of the mind, neither born nor destroyed, neither defiled nor pure. Only in this way can you continuously ascend in your meditation and truly achieve liberation."

The monk's words were like a beacon, illuminating the many corners of my mind that were filled with confusion. I treasured them as treasures and took their teachings to heart. In further conversations with the monk, I inquired about many specific aspects of meditation practice, such as how to cope with distracting thoughts during meditation and how to smoothly transition between different levels of concentration. The monk patiently answered each of my questions, each one imbued with profound Buddhist wisdom, which benefited me immensely.

After returning to the temple, I shared the monk's teachings with my fellow practitioners. They were deeply inspired and decided to work together to focus more on cultivating and tempering our mind and character during our Samadhi practice. With a firmer faith and the right method, we will explore the deeper mysteries of meditation.

During this stage of practice, in terms of the state, I experienced the shock and confusion of the strange scenes in the Samadhi land, and gradually began to learn to use the wisdom of Buddhism to see through its essence, and realize the mysteries of the mind hidden behind these scenes; in terms of practice, through exchanges and interactions with elders, fellow practitioners and eminent monks, I constantly revised my own practice methods, paid more attention to the cultivation of the mind and the in-depth understanding of Buddhism, and when faced with various conflicts of interest and misunderstandings, I was able to deal with them with a more peaceful and tolerant attitude, turning these experiences into aids to practice; in terms of results, although I have not yet fully reached the profound realm of the Samadhi land, my practice horizons have been greatly broadened, and my understanding and perception of Zen meditation have made a qualitative leap. My inner concentration and wisdom have also been further enhanced in this series of experiences, laying a solid foundation for deeper practice in the future.

Standing in the temple courtyard, gazing at the azure sky and the curls of incense rising from the temple, my heart is filled with longing and determination for my future spiritual journey. I know countless challenges and unknowns await me ahead, but with my unwavering faith in the Dharma and my spirit of constant exploration, I will bravely forge ahead, step by step, on this path of practice, continuously advancing toward higher realms, until I achieve ultimate liberation and enlightenment.