The Efficacy of the Samādhi True Flame

Question: For the past three months, I've had a ball of fire in my lower abdomen. I can feel it whether I'm walking, standing, sitting, or lying down. Some of my chronic illnesses have already healed, such as chronic pharyngitis, chronic diarrhea, and cervical spondylosis. Additionally, since this fire arose, my sexual desire has vanished. I haven't had any urges in nearly two months; even when I try to think about sexual things, nothing arises. I'm very curious about how this fire came about. Before this fire appeared, I hadn't learned meditation. I just occasionally practiced contemplation of the skeleton and impure contemplation, and I didn't strictly follow the book's instructions. My question is: Can Samadhi True Fire be generated merely through impure contemplation and skeleton contemplation? Can Samadhi True Fire truly cure chronic illnesses, suppress sexual desire, and curb appetite (I've lost nearly 30 pounds in the past three months and find it easier to endure hunger)? Is my current condition a genuine arising of Samadhi True Fire, or is it merely an illusory fire?

Answer: The terms "Samadhi True Fire" and "qi" are concepts used in Taoism, but they are also applicable to Buddhism because the physical body is the same, and the methods employed are quite similar—namely, meditation (Samadhi). This results in the same effects manifesting in the body. When the mind settles into stillness, the energy channels (qi meridians) within the body become unobstructed and automatically circulate to regulate the entire body. This process brings about healing. Simultaneously, when the qi circulates to the lower abdomen (the dantian area), it can trigger what Taoism calls the "Samadhi True Fire." This fire can burn fat, leading to weight loss.

The concentration of qi in the lower abdomen suppresses the arising of distracting thoughts. The mind becomes purified, and one's essence (jing), qi, and spirit (shen) become abundant. When essence is sufficient, sexual desire diminishes; when qi is sufficient, the craving for food lessens; when spirit is sufficient, the need for excessive sleep reduces. Speech and thoughts decrease—one becomes less inclined to talk and less prone to thinking about trivial matters, and the mind naturally becomes serene. From this, we understand that strong sexual desire is partly due to a deficiency of essence in the body. A voracious appetite stems from a deficiency of qi. Heavy sleepiness results from a deficiency of spirit. The cultivation of these three—essence, qi, and spirit—depends on the practice of meditation (Samadhi). When the mind is concentrated, the qi meridians activate, and energy becomes abundant, leading to many physical transformations. Whether practitioners follow the Mahayana or Hinayana path, if their minds become purified and induce Samadhi, they will inevitably experience this stage. Genuine practitioners will undergo physical and mental transformations before they can realize the truth (see the Way). If one hasn't experienced these phenomena, it indicates that Samadhi has not arisen, and one cannot realize the truth.

Practicing impure contemplation and skeleton contemplation can induce Samadhi. This is using wisdom to induce concentration, achieving a balance of concentration and wisdom. Sitting meditation can induce Samadhi, and wholeheartedly engaging in contemplative practices can also induce Samadhi. The effects experienced during this process vary from person to person. That you were able to achieve results with impure and skeleton contemplation without strictly following the book, but rather through your own understanding, suggests you practiced these methods in past lives and have a certain foundation. Thus, practicing them again in this life yields noticeable results. The physical outcome of practicing impure and skeleton contemplation is the cessation of sexual desire. This method is the most direct and swift for eradicating the view of self (Sakaya-ditthi). Persisting in this practice will bring even greater benefits.