Questions and Answers on the Contemplative Practice of the Four Establishments of Mindfulness 28

Question: Today, after sitting for about forty minutes or so, waves of vibration and trembling appeared from my legs up to my waist, and it continued until I got off the cushion. During the vibration there was a slightly pleasant feeling. I have never experienced this before—what is going on? 

Answer: This is a phenomenon that occurs because, after the mind quiets down, the qi channels in the body run smoothly and the qi mechanism is activated. The qi mechanism usually first arises from the dantian and then moves from the dantian throughout the whole body; the speed and pathways of its movement vary from person to person, from time to time, and according to one's physical condition. The arising of both the desire-realm concentration and the first dhyāna of the form realm cannot be separated from the activation of the body's qi mechanism; that is to say, meditative concentration cannot be separated from the functioning and activity of the physical body. Only when the physical body is free of obstructions can the desire-realm concentration and form-realm concentration arise. 

In the future, when the first dhyāna of the form realm arises, it will likewise be the qi channels in the body moving and stirring; that force is not initiated by deliberate mental intention, but arises naturally when body and mind have become quiet to a certain degree. Only when afflictions and thoughts arise do obstructions appear, and then the qi mechanism in the body recedes, and the first dhyāna disappears along with it. Therefore, the first dhyāna cannot be separated from sitting cross-legged; it mostly arises during sitting meditation. In the midst of activity, meditative concentration lasts for a shorter time and is not easy to maintain. 

Since cultivating concentration cannot be separated from the body, it cannot be separated from sitting cross-legged. Sitting cross-legged is the foundation of cultivating concentration; the deeper concentrations that follow even more so cannot be separated from sitting cross-legged, because crossing the legs allows the qi and blood to concentrate and flow smoothly, and both body and mind become stable, so concentration is attained quickly and firmly. Then, taking the meditative concentration achieved in sitting as a foundation, one can give rise to and maintain meditative concentration during the activities of the physical body. If one does not sit cross-legged and relies solely on cultivating concentration during activity, first, meditative concentration will not easily arise; second, once it arises, it will not be easy to maintain; third, there will be no deep meditative concentration; and fourth, contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) will not be easy. Some people say that cultivating the Path does not depend on the legs—this is a mistaken statement. If the legs cannot be subdued, the body cannot be subdued; if the body cannot be subdued, the mind cannot truly and lastingly quiet down, and then meditative concentration will not easily appear, cannot be maintained for long, and cannot deepen. The practice of the patriarchs of successive generations and of students of meditative concentration has proven this point, and the practice processes of all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and Pratyekabuddhas have proven this point as well.