修習止觀坐禪法要 1.74

1.74

Fourth, the method of harmonizing the breath upon first entering dhyāna: the breath has four characteristics: first, wind; second, panting; third, respiration; fourth, breath. The first three are unharmonized characteristics, and the last one is the harmonized characteristic. What is the characteristic of wind? When sitting, if the breath entering and exiting the nose is perceived to have sound, this is wind. What is the characteristic of panting? When sitting, though the breath has no sound, its entry and exit are blocked, stagnant, and not flowing smoothly; this is the characteristic of panting. What is the characteristic of respiration? When sitting, though the breath has no sound and is not stagnant, its entry and exit are not subtle; this is the characteristic of respiration. What is the characteristic of breath? Neither sounding, nor stagnant, nor coarse, entering and exiting continuously and unbroken, as if present, as if absent, sustaining the spirit peacefully, with the inner disposition joyful and serene—this is the characteristic of breath. Guarding wind leads to scattering; guarding panting leads to knots; guarding respiration leads to fatigue; guarding breath immediately brings concentration. When sitting, having the three characteristics of wind, panting, and respiration is called unharmonized; if one directs the mind with them, they further cause ailments to the mind, and the mind is also difficult to concentrate. If one wishes to harmonize it, one should rely on three methods: first, settle and focus the mind downward; second, relax the body; third, visualize the breath permeating all the pores, entering and exiting unobstructed and unified. If one refines the mind, making the breath exceedingly faint, then when the breath is harmonized, various ailments will not arise and the mind will easily settle. This is called the practitioner's method of harmonizing the breath upon first entering concentration. In summary: neither sluggish nor slippery is the characteristic of harmonized breath.