First Make Good Use of Withered Samādhi to Transform Body and Mind

Question: Is a state of meditative concentration (samādhi) without right thinking a wrong concentration? Sometimes I encounter a situation where I feel dull and unable to turn my thoughts—I can neither think nor recollect the Buddha. In such a situation, should I leave that state?

Answer: Meditative concentration is very important. It can clarify and purify one's mind, subdue afflictions and innate afflictive obstructions (kleśāvaraṇa), and enable the mind to rest steadily upon the Dharma for deliberation (manana), thereby giving rise to great wisdom.

There are many kinds of meditative concentration, and there are also transitions at various levels. At present, simply having concentration is already very precious. Once the mind is stable, you can then find the right moment to transform the mind into a concentration capable of contemplating the Buddha's Dharma. There is no need to deliberately loathe or avoid withered concentration; make good use of it to transform body and mind, and then change the manner of your concentration.