Mind-mastering Chan

The essence of Chan can be understood as the essence of Chi.” In the principle of Mind-mastering Chan, mastering the mind means to master Chi and one’s actions. “Mind”, in this sense, means teaching without scriptures - through persuasion and a meeting of minds to train the heart. Mind-mastering Chan is not merely simple sitting meditation, though this can be one of the methods. If one knows how to master the mind, one can achieve “mastering-Chi” and enlightenment through standing, simple movements, or wushu. The way to master the mind (or train the heart) includes focusing on specific points on the body, visualizing the senses, deep concentration, and inner-body observation. The purposes are to cultivate, smoothen and master the Chi. Beginners can start with sitting and standing meditation, focus on points, and visualization. If one can enter the stage of deep concentration, one’s breathing will become slow, continuous, and deep. One will have entered a stage of semi-consciousness, like sleeping but not really sleeping, like dreaming but not really dreaming. One becomes very relaxed, may see wonderful senses, and feels intensely satisfied and blissful. To balance and enhance one’s internal energy this way is to direct the Chi naturally. Another approach is through self-control, which can only be practiced after one has practiced the natural approach for a lengthy period. The self-control approach is to perform inner-body observation after entering the stage of deep concentration, to understand the Chi and blood circulation of the body. This is done through directing the “real” Chi to fill the whole body, guiding the Chi to flow freely, even to the tips of the hair. The highest level is to be able to direct the Chi with the mind and focus it into a force. If one can reach the level of letting go of the self, one would have attained unlimited power. One can use this power to treat illnesses, through utilizing one’s real Chi to affect others, to guide the flow of Chi in others to unblock Chi stagnation. Sometimes, unblocking the Chi can also be facilitated by Chinese medicine and diet. This is the essence of Mind-mastering Chan, also known as Pusa Xing / Bodhisattva character.