Insight meditation differs from meditative concentration. The latter focuses on achieving a state of calmness and tranquility in the mind. Practitioners aim to quiet their thoughts, emotions, and distractions, leading to a sense of inner peace and clarity. Notably, this practice does not involve forming specific views. In contrast, insight meditation emphasizes developing insight or views about the nature of reality. This practice encompasses a wider range of techniques and extends beyond simply attaining meditative states. Experienced Buddhist teachers, Khenpos, Geshes, and great siddhas often prioritize the development of these insights over achieving deep meditative states.
Why don't Chan masters engage in meditation competitions? Chan masters, known for their deep meditation practices, rarely engage in meditation competitions. If you were to do so, a true Chan master would not participate because they would not see the point in such competitions.
Here's a story that illustrates this concept. It happened at Gaomin Monastery. I cannot verify its authenticity. The story goes that there was a realized siddhi who was unable to sit in the lotus position for extended periods. Despite this limitation, he had attained realization. He decided to be a visiting monk at Gaomin Monastery, famous for being the place where both Venerable Xuyun and Venerable Lai Guo had attained realization.
At that time, the monastery had a rule: all monks who came to stay for a short period had to meditate in the lotus position for one or two-incense-stick-burning time, which could last for two to four hours.Due to his physical limitations, the monk could not sit for long periods without experiencing pain. Eventually, he could no longer endure the discomfort and was asked to leave.
Upon returning to his disciples, he declared his intention to break this rule. He devised a plan to tie his legs together with ropes and have himself lowered into a well for fifteen days. During this time, he remained steadfast in his resolve, refusing to come out. His disciples lowered food down the well for him. After fifteen days, he emerged from the well, his meditation skills now significantly enhanced.
He returned to Gaomin Monastery and sat in meditation without rising. The monastery's guest master sat with him for several hours, but the monk remained motionless, leaving the guest master bewildered. The guest master eventually rose and left. One by one, other monks, including the head monk, attempted to outlast him in meditation, but none succeeded. After all, he had spent fifteen days cultivating in the well. How could they possibly surpass him?
Finally, the abbot emerged and asked, "What do you seek? We acknowledge your prowess and apologize for our mistake. What are your demands?" The monk replied simply, "Please abolish this rule!"
Whether this story is true or not, it conveys a crucial message: the focus is not on the depth of meditative concentration but on the insights gained and applied during meditation. Therefore, meditative concentration and insight meditation are distinct practices. The latter refers to the insights or views employed during meditation.
Excerpted from: Cognition and Expression Part Two
