Practicing Meditation: Recognizing Advantages and Obstacles to Avoid Giving Up

This article helps you understand the wonderful advantages of Buddhist meditation and the common obstacles you may face. By recognizing these, you can maintain a steady mind and overcome every difficulty on your path of practice.

Have you ever sat in quiet meditation, suddenly seeing a strange light appear, and thought within yourself, "Am I about to reach enlightenment?" This amusing yet haunting story involves a teacher who saw a beam of light shining in and believed it was an auspicious sign. In reality, it was merely the lamp of someone catching frogs nearby. This realization teaches us that practicing meditation is not simply about experiencing mystical phenomena. On this path, there are wonderful advantages, but also many obstacles that can easily lead us astray.

## The Buddha’s Meditation: Clear Formulas and Paths

Among the countless schools of meditation in the world, the Buddha’s meditation stands at the peak because it was taught by one who attained supreme enlightenment. What makes it special is that it is not vague or abstract. It has clear formulas. Each step of practice has a specific path, letting you know where you are, what you have achieved, and what is still lacking.

The Buddha’s meditation follows a formula: two plus two equals four; two plus three equals five. These rules are explicit. Furthermore, the path is clearly defined. You know exactly how far you have progressed without any confusion.

Thanks to this clarity, if any realm or vision appears, you will understand its true nature. You will not chase after illusions or falsely claim attainments. Consider the story of a teacher meditating at night who saw a bright orb before him and thought he was nearing enlightenment. It turned out to be just the light from a frog catcher’s lamp outside his field. Without a clear path, we easily fall into self-satisfaction and lose our way.

## First Obstacle: Incorrect Method of Effort

One of the greatest obstacles is applying effort with the wrong method. Incorrect practice can lead to two dangerous consequences. First, it can cause spiritual pride, leading to madness. Second, it can force energy upward into the head, damaging the nervous system.

Spiritual pride is the direct karmic result of believing oneself to be superior to others. Many people cling to the notion that they are already Buddhas, slowly sinking into delusion. There was once a teacher practicing on a mountain who was patted on the head by an old man—actually a spirit—who praised him for having attained the Great Samadhi of the Shurangama. The next morning, the teacher stripped naked, screaming and dancing wildly, completely insane. That is the price of spiritual pride.

Therefore, when beginning seated meditation, you must establish three mental attitudes. First, absolute reverence for the Buddha. Second, infinite compassion for all sentient beings. Third, ultimate humility, seeing yourself as worthless grass or dust.

The second error is placing the mind on the head or chakras. This causes vital energy to rise, depleting the foundational essence in the lower abdomen. Even if you do not go mad, you may enter a state of suspended animation, living half-dead, unable to eat or sleep properly, tense, and unfocused. The correct principle of meditation is to keep the energy gathered in the lower belly while maintaining awareness of the whole body.

This is why the Buddha taught knowing the whole body. You must be aware of the head, the torso, the chest, and the abdomen to keep the foundational essence stable.

## Second Obstacle: Lack of Merit

Those who lack merit often face difficulties in their practice. Their minds are hard to settle, and their circumstances are unsupportive. Therefore, wise practitioners always cultivate both meditation and merit simultaneously.

To practice wisely, you must generate blessings from merit alongside your meditation. Whenever there is an opportunity to help someone, make the effort to do so. The highest form of help is assisting others in their own practice.

There is a story about a senior monk who encouraged others to eat brown rice and sesame salt to cure illnesses, yet he did not follow this diet himself. As a result, those who listened became exhausted, while he remained healthy. Similarly, if you only focus on your own practice without caring for others, your merit will struggle to grow. When you help others practice together, your own path naturally encounters fewer obstacles.

## How to Overcome: Diligence, Repentance, and Helping Others Practice

No matter how difficult things become, do not lose heart. Even great masters like the Fifth Patriarch Hongren and the Sixth Patriarch Huineng had to endure significant hardships. Thus, obstacles are normal. What matters is knowing how to face and overcome them.

The secret lies in the daily practice of bowing to the Buddha and repentance. Repentance helps us recognize faults accumulated over countless lifetimes, keeping the mind humble and steady. Those who truly practice always see their own errors, which is why they enjoy bowing to the Buddha in repentance. When kneeling before the Buddha, you are like a child full of mistakes returning to a father, receiving forgiveness and peace.

If you feel happiness and warmth while bowing to the Buddha, you possess wisdom and moral integrity.

Additionally, encourage and create conditions for others to practice with you. Whatever you give to others, you receive in return. When you guide others toward the Dharma, the blessings from merit will smooth your own path of cultivation.

Meditation is a long journey. However, with right understanding, a clear path, and an attitude of humility and diligence, you will overcome every obstacle. Be persistent, and do not forget to share these benefits with those around you. May you remain diligent on the path back to your Buddha-nature!