The Relationship Between Samādhi and Qi Meridians

It is often said that one must open the central channel (avadhūtī) in order to attain enlightenment, or that opening the central channel naturally leads to enlightenment. These claims are incorrect. There is no necessary connection between the opening of the central channel and enlightenment or seeing the Path. However, seeing the Path is not unrelated to the qi channels and vessels either. So what is the relationship between the qi channels and seeing the Path? Cultivation cannot be separated from the physical body. By making full use of the body and removing the obstructions of the body, it becomes easier to see the Path. Seeing the Path is the product of the full possession of both meditative concentration (samādhi) and wisdom, and the arising of samādhi and wisdom cannot be separated from the harmonization of the four great elements of the body. The more harmonized the four great elements are, the more unobstructed the body becomes, the stronger the power of concentration, the more focused the mind, the stronger the capacity for contemplation, and the greater the wisdom.

The circulation of the body's qi channels is divided into three: the Conception Vessel (Ren Mai) at the front of the body, the Governing Vessel (Du Mai) along the back, and the central channel running through the middle of the body from front to back. When the front Conception Vessel is blocked, the internal organs always have ailments and obstructions. When the mind enters concentration, once a channel becomes blocked, the internal organs will feel pain, and the mind is immediately drawn away by the pain; the power of concentration vanishes, and both Chan investigation and contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) are interrupted. When the back Governing Vessel is blocked, pain and discomfort will appear along the entire back, up through the back of the neck and the crown of the head. When the pain is severe, one will emerge from concentration, and Chan investigation and contemplative practice will be interrupted. Even if they are not interrupted, the energy is scattered and the power of wisdom (prajñā-bala) weakens. But back pain is easier to endure than the pain of the internal organs, and the power of concentration is diminished less; therefore, a blocked Governing Vessel is better than a blocked Conception Vessel.

If one wishes to enter deep concentration, have stable meditative absorption, and make contemplative practice and Chan investigation effective, the Conception Vessel must be open; it is best that the Governing Vessel also be opened, and at the very least it must not have severe blockages. As for the central channel, there is no need to open it. When the mind becomes purified and one can regularly enter concentration, the circulation of the qi channels will also become smooth, the four great elements will be relatively harmonized, and major illnesses of the body will be eliminated. The factors that interfere with meditative concentration and contemplative practice are thus gradually removed. When the body's qi channels are smooth and unobstructed, it is easy to forget the body, and the mind will not be distracted by bodily sensations. At this point, meditative concentration becomes deep, and all one's energy can be devoted to contemplation and investigation, so that wisdom grows quickly.

Having understood the relationship between samādhi, wisdom, and the qi channels, one should, in the course of daily study and practice, strive to remove bodily obstructions and keep the body healthy and the qi channels unobstructed. Then samādhi and wisdom will grow unceasingly, and one will ultimately be able to see the Path.