As in the following picture, the deeper the level of calmness support the inward insight meditation to untie the knot or attachment. The goal of meditation is to use inward insight meditation with the support of the calmness meditation to untie the knot to set one free or liberate.
However, attach to wanting to be in certain calmness state or take pride in the ability to reach and stay at a certain calmness state is bad. This type of mental attitude will cause one to get struck at a certain physiological and psychological state, no different then drug additive or power hungry. The Shurangama sutra has a details descriotion on this type of trouble states one must avoid.
Calmness is a tool or vehicle. When the vehicle become the goal of meditation, then one has gone off from the path of liberation.
In addition, the undercurrent of self, prejudice, value, habit is deep. Unless one has the depth of the calmness one doesn’t even know they exist. For example, we are swimming with the thinking and imagination “fishes”, or thinking we are those thinking “fishes”. We think that is how the world is. We have no idea on the existence of the undercurrent which dictate us or the boss behind the scene.
Often, when we reach calmness level 2, we think this calm and peaceful state is enlightenment, because we don’t see “fishes” swiming around all the time anymore, we are sooo “ mindfull and at peace” , but yet, we don’t even aware of the interaction of the four layers and not to mentioned the undercurrent. If we stop there and proclaim we are the guru who has attained enlightenment, then we are trap in the star location in the calmness-awareness map. The real enlightenment is untie the source of the undercurrent as in the above picture, that’s from lots of Humble hard work.
The Song of Enlightenment by Yung-chia Hsuan-chueh (Ch’an Buddhist monk, 665 – 713AD) is a good tour guide for those who Is on the journey of enlightenment.
(The following are A few stanzas, from the City Of Ten thousands Buddhas translation)
LET THE FOUR ELEMENTS GO, DO NOT GRASP AT THEM.
THE NATURE OF STILL QUIESCENCE ACCORDS WITH DRINKING AND EATING.
ALL ACTIVITIES ARE IMPERMANENT; EVERYTHING IS EMPTY. THAT IS THE GREAT AND PERFECT ENLIGHTENMENT OF THE THUS COME ONE.
PURIFY THE FIVE EYES; ATTAIN THE FIVE POWER,
SIMPLY ACCOMPLISH THEM AND KNOW WHAT’S HARD TO FATHOM,
SHAPES IN A MIRROR ARE NOT HARD TO SEE,
BUT THE MOON IN THE WATER–HOW CAN ONE PLUCK IT OUT?
SOME REJECT THE FALSE MIND TO GRASP TRUE PRINCIPLE, BUT THE MIND THAT GRASPS AND REJECTS IS INGENIOUS AND FRAUDULENT.
STUDENTS WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND AND USE IT IN CULTIVATION.
REALLY ARE MISTAKING A THIEF FOR THEIR OWN SON.
CERTAIN ABOUT ONE THING, SUPERIOR PEOPLE UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING,
MIDDLEING AND INFERIOR PEOPLE LEARN MUCH, YET DOUBT MUCH.
SIMPLY CAST OFF YOUR OWN CHERISHED DIRTY CLOTHES,
WHO COULD GO OUT AND BOAST ABOUT HIS VIGOR?
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