When concluding a meditation session, as I guide participants, I usually start by saying, “please know that it’s time to conclude the meditation.” This is the moment when our mind becomes aware of it first. We then transition from focusing on the method we were using to then hearing the sound of the meditation bell and then shifting our attention from the method we were practicing, such as counting breaths or reciting Buddha’s name, to our bodies. As our thoughts arise, it naturally affects the state of our breathing.
Have you heard of “Adjustments at the Three Stages?” The “three stages” refer to entering stillness, abiding in stillness, and exiting stillness. Initially, participants are guided to perform yoga exercises. For more challenging postures, you may be a bit out of breath or have a faster heartbeat, which doesn’t qualify as “stillness” yet. Once we are seated on the meditation cushion, we begin to adjust our posture and perform activities like checking the Seven Points of Sitting, scanning and relaxing the body, etc. These adjustments are part of “entering stillness.” “Abiding in stillness” involves applying the meditation method. When we hear the sound of the bell indicating the end of the meditation session, thoughts start to arise in our mind, signifying the shift of attention from the method to the body. This marks the “exiting stillness” stage.
As the state of the mind becomes more still, the breath becomes finer, meaning it becomes more stable and longer. For example, when we are running, our breath is short and rapid, which can be described as “coarse.” However, when we sit calmly, whether reading a book or meditating, our breath becomes deep, slow, and gentle, which is referred to as “fine.” The state of breathing changes in accordance with the state of the mind. The more stable the mind becomes, the finer the breath becomes. Conversely, when the mind is agitated and restless, the breath becomes coarser.
When we meditate and apply the method effectively, during the stage of abiding in stillness, the mind becomes calm and the breath becomes slow and fine. However, when we hear the sound of the meditation bell and thoughts arise in our mind, the state of mind is not as calm as it was in the stage of abiding in stillness. In comparison, when the mind moves, its state changes, and consequently, the state of breathing changes as well. Therefore, during the stage of exiting stillness, I guide everyone by saying, “please know that it’s time to conclude the meditation.”
After the meditation session, there is usually a massage session. Massage serves an important function, which is to help dissipate the accumulated energy or qi within our bodies. Why does this qi accumulate? During meditation, when our minds are clear, focused, and fully immersed in the practice, the qi becomes more vigorous, and remains circulating within the body.
Everyone of us has experienced some level of injury or discomfort. When the energy or qi flows through the meridians and encounters a previously injured area or a blockage for some reason, the energy cannot pass through and gets stuck in the body. This can cause sensations of soreness, pain, and even agitation, which means the energy channels are blocked. Because you are practicing meditation using a method, it uses this method to push through the meridians, allowing the energy to flow through. This leads to various sensations such as itchiness, numbness, pain, and movements in different parts of the body. Through massage, we aim to disperse the trapped energy that was accumulated in the meridians. By doing so, the energy doesn’t remain stuck in one place and cause discomfort and sleep problems. Thus, massage serves an important function in this context.
Certainly, this phenomenon only occurs when our minds are very focused. That’s when our energy flows particularly vigorously through the meridians. If our minds are scattered or if we fall asleep during meditation, this issue wouldn’t arise because the energy is not flowing much. It is only when we genuinely apply the meditation method that such a problem occurs. Is this problem good or bad? In fact, it is beneficial! When our meridians are blocked, they naturally seek to open up. They become blocked due to existing injuries or illnesses in our bodies. When the energy flows through and breaks through those blockages, it essentially means that our bodies are healing ourselves.
Sitting meditation is actually beneficial for our health. It ensures that our qi flows smoothly and unobstructed. When our qi and meridians are unobstructed, we feel different and more comfortable. That’s why I lead this whole-body massage. The ultimate goal is to enhance the quality of sleep for everyone by soothing our minds and evenly dispersing the body’s energy through massage.
