Safeguards in meditation practice

As more and more people practise meditation whether taught by self, masters, or Daoist immortals, a need arise for some safeguards to protect self from harm. Prevention is always better than cure, as practitioners invariably practise meditation on their own after obtaining the necessary guidance.

Regular readers may have taken note that one frequently writes about the Light, warmth (or heat) and on an occasion referred to humility in entries on neidan practice. These three factors can be considered basic safeguards against harm from any ‘yin or dark’ forces arising during meditation as the neidan practitioner progresses in his or her practice. (These safeguards can also be relevant to those who practise basic or other types of meditation.)

The Light is always present unless the practitioner inadvertently practises meditation the wrong way. For example, some prefer to close their eyes entirely for the duration of their meditation or meditate in total darkness. If they cannot visualize the Light during meditation then the practice could be wrong.

Warmth or heat is generated by the Qi (energy) flows arising from circulation of qi and the Light during meditation; and can be felt by the neidan practitioner in varying degrees depending on the level and duration of the meditation. If the Qi (energy) flows are cold then the meditation practice could again be incorrect.

Humility is important to a neidan practitioner because only then can he or she progress to higher levels without unnecessary disturbances from the yin or dark forces (and/or perhaps a knock on the head from the master). (Also refer to what Laozi said about humility.)

Although the Leng Yen Ching contains more explicit details on these so called yin or dark forces, a short passage from The Secret of the Golden Flower [W/B] can help explain why the foregoing three factors can act as safeguards:

“Furthermore, one must not fall victim to the ensnaring world. The ensnaring world is where the five kinds of dark demons disport themselves. This is the case, for example, when, after fixation, one has chiefly thoughts of dry wood and dead ashes, and few thoughts of the bright spring on the great earth. In this way one sinks into the world of the dark. The energy is cold there, breathing is rough, and many images of coldness and decay present themselves.” [Lu Dongpin]

The Light represents yang which under these circumstances acts against yin and is the direct opposite of dark. So would the warmth or heat as yin is consider cold- the opposite of hot? And according to Buddha, humility as opposed to arrogance does not attract the attention of these demonic forces, allowing the practitioner a safe passage towards progressively higher levels of neidan practice.

In conclusion, the Light, the warmth or heat, and humility will provide the basic safeguards to protect self from harm either from improper meditation or yin/ dark forces if you understand what is required for a proper (basic or neidan) meditation practice. And have a safe and enjoyable journey!