How to Attain Various Meditative Concentrations (Samādhi)

The first contemplation in the Contemplation Sutra (Amitāyurdhyāna Sūtra), if it can be accomplished, means one's meditative concentration has already surpassed preparatory concentration (anāgamya-samādhi), and may even reach the first dhyāna. This is genuine cultivation—is it easy? It is extremely difficult. Very, very few people can accomplish preparatory concentration; one must give up a great deal of worldly dharma to achieve it. To cultivate to the first dhyāna requires subduing an enormous amount of greed and afflictions, having few desires for things in the world—who can do that? Let alone laypeople, whose worldly habits are so deeply entrenched. So do not believe that this person has attained the fourth dhyāna or that person has attained the fourth dhyāna; preparatory concentration itself is already a great test.

Only when the worldly desires of the human realm are subdued can one attain preparatory concentration. Only when the desires of the desire-realm devas are subdued can one attain first-dhyāna concentration. If even the lowest desires cannot be subdued, do not expect to have a fairly good preparatory concentration. When people want to gain everything—power, money, influence, fame—and still want to show off and flaunt themselves, how can they have meditative concentration? If one loves fine food, fine drink, fine clothes, and fine enjoyments, how can one have meditative concentration? If one cares about every worldly matter, how can one have meditative concentration? Only by linking one's cultivation to one's own body and mind, linking it to all of one's bodily, verbal, and mental actions, constantly examining and reflecting, constantly cultivating and realizing one's own transformation, can one subdue the self, cultivate meditative concentration, and make continuous progress on the path.