Q&A: The Mala and Meditative Absorption

This text is translated from the Chinese transcript of the teaching.

A student asked: If I am used to meditating with a mala, can I still enter samadhi?

In the ultimate samadhi, the state known as Dzogchen or Mahamudra, the state of dissolved meditation, no extra movement is allowed, not even prostrations. It is a state completely free of contrivance and activity. But in the stage of mantra accumulation, it is fine to keep using a mala in order to reach the number of mantras you are accumulating. As the accumulation goes on, once the visualization becomes clearer, more vivid and more peaceful, you can also put the mala down.

In the process of mantra accumulation, there are four different ways:

(1) The first is to recite aloud. The voice should be steady, clear and distinct, so that you can clearly hear every syllable you recite.

(2) Next, you stop moving your mouth and listen to the mantra in your mind.

(3) At that point, while listening to the sound of the mantra, you also try to let it merge with the sounds around you, mixing with the sounds of nature and of the universe. Once the sounds have merged, you begin to listen: now every sound is actually resonating.

(4) Now you don't need to recite deliberately, and you don't even need to make an effort. Everything happens naturally. These are the levels of the practice of sound.

As for the signs of realization at different stages, some people speak of visions or lights, but the best sign is actually that your heart is full of peace, generosity and compassion. You become more and more sincere and gentle, and very tender toward yourself, your thoughts and your emotions. At the same time, others can feel that presence and equanimity.

These qualities should not stay only in meditation; bring them into the real world. Being deep in the mountains or in the middle of a busy city is exactly the same. As in the example I gave: if we held hands with Garchen Rinpoche, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Jetsun Milarepa and the Buddha, and walked hand in hand into the middle of New York City or Taipei 101, I might have many thoughts and judgments, but their hearts would always be full of compassion and love.