Direct Experience and Application
of Subtle Matter
Matter is a wave-like manifestation of fundamental energy.
According to the Theory of Conditionality, matter evolves step by step from fundamental energy. Lower forms of matter arise from higher forms of matter by the addition of extra conditions. The more conditions involved in generating a particular form of matter, the more restricted and less free it becomes. In contrast, higher forms of matter are freer—they can spontaneously generate and govern lower forms of matter. Compared to lower matter, they require fewer conditions and thus possess a relative freedom. We refer to them as free matter.
On the other hand, our mind also operates on multiple levels and in various states. Based on the core principle of mind-matter unity, the corresponding forms and layers of matter and material worlds reflect these mental states. Each level of thought is accompanied by a corresponding level of matter.
Every material entity in our world possesses both a macroscopic and a microscopic aspect. In daily life, we dwell primarily in the macroscopic material state—a restricted, constrained state of matter. However, the macroscopic is generated from the microscopic. Compared to macroscopic matter, microscopic matter is more free, and thus belongs to the realm of free matter.
-Master Qingliangyue
The Principle of Correspondence in Meditative Verification
Within various states of thought and various states of matter, many phenomena exist in one-to-one correspondence. These correspondences are reciprocal. In meditative verification, we must recognize and utilize these principles of correspondence.
Correspondence between Matter and Thought
We can adjust the state of thought by altering the state of matter, and likewise, adjust the state of matter by altering the state of thought.Correspondence between Matter and Function
We can discover and apply the functions of matter by adjusting its state, and conversely, recognize the underlying material state by observing and modulating its function.Correspondence between Observational Capacity and Observed Phenomena
We can discover corresponding observed phenomena by refining our observational capacity, or activate and refine observational capacity by altering the object of observation.In meditative verification, the method of “observing the microscopic” is precisely an application of this principle—allowing us to realize and apply subconscious focus.
Subconscious focus operates upon “the manifestations of the observed object.” Since we are ordinarily unable to perceive the subtle (microscopic) dimensions of matter, we may consider subconscious focus to be corresponding to microscopic phenomena. Thus, through this correspondence, we are able to verify and actualize higher states of consciousness.
We may either cultivate subconscious focus to reveal the subtle dimensions of matter, or observe subtle material phenomena to compel the integration of selective attention and universal noticing, thereby giving rise to subconscious focus as a unified function. Through this process, we are able to access higher states and activate the function of subconscious focus.
In conclusion, we may begin from either pole of a duality—whether mind or matter—and by adjusting one side, the other naturally synchronizes. For example, based on the principle of mind-matter unity, we may work from the mental side or the material side. In either case, an adjustment in one dimension leads to a corresponding shift in the other.
Thus, we must deeply understand the correspondences between our current states of thought and matter, and through that understanding, we are able to engage in effective and precise meditative verification.
-Master Qingliangyue
Relaxation Through Observing Subtle Matter：Gradual Relaxation
In our daily life, we are accustomed to relying on conscious thought. This habitual dependence keeps us entangled in scattered and restless mental activity. Over time, this scattered habit becomes embedded in the subconscious, forming what may be called subconscious distraction. This subconscious distraction is not inherent—it is reinforced and shaped by our everyday patterns.
Habits and tendencies arise spontaneously and automatically under the influence of the subconscious, which makes them subtle and difficult to detect. However, we are often highly sensitive to unfamiliar phenomena. The experience of Qi (vital energy) is something novel for most people, which heightens our sensitivity to its movements. Even the slightest disturbance in the flow of Qi can be perceived with unusual clarity.
Qi dynamics thus become a valuable tool for relaxing the body, quieting the mind, and transforming the subconscious. The disordered and harmonious states of Qi function differently in relation to bodily and mental relaxation. By observing and adjusting these two states, we can attain a deeper and more complete release—one that allows us to relinquish the macro-material state of the body, thereby revealing its subtle (free) material form.
In the process of meditative verification, we must learn to rely on the Qi dynamic to uncover hidden layers of physical tension. Only then can we achieve deep and thorough relaxation, letting go of our dependence on the gross material state of the body, and begin to access and embody the true subtle matter of freedom.
-Master Qingliangyue
Seeking Free Matter
Seeking free matter is based on the understanding that all matter we observe in the natural world contains higher levels of matter, including free matter, the Tathāgatagarbha (如来藏), and fundamental energy. In principle, we can seek free matter from any form of matter; however, from a practical and operational perspective, we focus on the body because it is easier to work with.
After entering the state of the “qi cluster” (气团), we quickly discover that the qi cluster has the characteristic of light. The reason for this characteristic is that the qi cluster is generated by this light-type matter. Therefore, this light-type matter must manifest within the qi cluster. By following this characteristic of light, we trace back to find this light-type matter, which we call the “light cluster.”
All matter is based on selective thinking and is therefore unstable. So, after finding the light cluster, further verification is needed. How to verify? It is by dwelling in a profound state of mind, called “returning to emptiness” (还虚), shattering the void, and entering a state of complete “returning to emptiness.” This means only the profound state of mind remains, freed from the binding conditions of the material realm. This is a meditative absorption (dhyāna) state.
Only this kind of state of mind is not easily lost and can be voluntarily controlled. The fundamental purpose of verification (experiential realization) is to achieve autonomy. If autonomy is not possible, then pursuing this path is essentially meaningless.
-Master Qingliangyue
Diagram of the Evolution of Limited Free Matter
“Limited Free Matter” refers to the qi cluster, and the higher-level “free matter” refers to the light cluster. Both belong to free matter, but the qi cluster can only move within the body.
“Limited free matter” has the state called “qi,” the characteristic of “light,” and the function of “breathing.” Through the “breathing” function of limited free matter, we discover that it has the state of “qi,” enhance concentration, and perceive its “light” characteristic as a constitutive condition. Ultimately, we will use the characteristic of “light” as a constitutive condition to realize an even higher-level free matter state.
To more skillfully master the transitions between various matter states, we need to become familiar with the transformation between these two matter states. This requires that after freeing ourselves from the body’s constraints, we must return to the body and use the body’s limited free matter state repeatedly. This process must be done many times, until the transitions between matter states become very familiar and we can freely use, discard, and reuse limited free matter—the qi cluster state—at will.
Why must we rely on “qi” rather than other forms of matter? Because “qi” is the free matter that generates our body, and corresponds to the current state of continuous thinking. Therefore, we use “qi” to adjust this current thinking state, and at the same time, we achieve the purpose of consciously using this matter.
Our experience and use of “qi” as limited free matter is based on the fundamental principle of “mind-matter unity.” We adjust the thinking state to achieve “focused stillness” and maintain the mind-matter unity with “qi.” This way, we can experience “qi” and further master its basic characteristics and movement laws, ultimately realizing the scientific use of “qi” as free matter.
According to the fundamental principle of mind-matter unity, “qi” as free matter corresponds to the thinking state of “focused stillness.” Focused stillness is a phenomenon of subconscious thinking activity. Therefore, we can only use the subconscious thinking function called “universal attention” to experience “qi” as microscopic free matter.
From another angle, although selective attention is a conscious thinking function, it evolved from subconscious thinking, with the addition of selective functionality. So, once we break through this selectivity, selective attention can also be utilized. In other words, in the process of verification, when searching for higher-level matter, universal attention can be used directly because it corresponds directly to microscopic matter. Selective attention, however, must be transformed before use.
Through persistent experience, concentration is gradually enhanced so that “selective attention” and “universal attention” merge into the same thinking function—this is the fusion into “subconscious focus.” At this point, we can stably maintain mind-matter unity with “qi” as microscopic matter and freely use this microscopic matter state. This fusion is called subconscious focus. Subconscious focus refers to the state of focus relative to our current conscious focus; once conscious focus is broken, what remains is subconscious focus.
The process of experiencing and using “qi” as a microscopic matter state is also the gradual fusion of the two thinking functions: universal attention and habitual selective attention. From the perspective of the relationship between matter and thought, whether mind-matter unity with the qi mechanism can be maintained is the criterion for successful verification at this stage. From the perspective of thinking functions, the key and criterion for success is whether “selective attention” and “universal attention” can be merged into one function—“subconscious focus.”
However, because thinking is habitual, in daily life we are accustomed to maintaining mind-matter unity with the body’s gross material state and using the body’s gross material state. Therefore, it is impossible to quickly and skillfully maintain mind-matter unity with limited free matter. We must go through a relatively long process to change this habit. Thus, the process of experiencing and mastering limited free matter becomes a process of changing habits.
Only in stillness can free matter be found. Then, we must attentively experience changes in the qi mechanism in stillness, continuously eliminating the destructive effect of selective thinking during the experience. Ultimately, “focused stillness” is formed, generating “subconscious focus,” achieving unity with the qi mechanism—that is, maintaining mind-matter unity with qi.
Focus (high-level concentration) is a unique focus force of advanced thinking states. If one can cultivate highly focused concentration and enter an advanced thinking state, according to the fundamental principle of mind-matter unity, one will no longer experience the body’s material state corresponding to the current continuous thinking state. Therefore, in verification, although we cultivate concentration, it must be based on stillness—a concentration with stillness as a component—rather than a purely advanced thinking state without stillness. This requires that during verification, we must not observe the microscopic but only observe the whole.
During the orderly operation of the qi mechanism, many beautiful states may arise. But no matter how beautiful the state is, we must understand that, according to the fundamental principle of mind-matter unity, we remain in the continuous thinking state, and all material phenomena are illusions—waveforms of fundamental energy. Our fundamental purpose in experiencing these material states and their laws is to utilize them, not to regard them as the ultimate goal. When in focused stillness, various pleasant bodily reactions will appear—comfort, softness, skin twitching, etc. These pleasant states easily stimulate the selective attention’s curiosity, reactivating selective attention, thus causing the phenomenon of “stillness producing activity.” This phenomenon must always be noted during the evolution of matter.
Why is this so? Fundamentally, you are mastering the laws of material evolution (attaining the body through mastery of material evolution). All matter is a description of the observer-observed relationship and is built on selective thinking. Only after selective thinking forms does the observer-observed relationship appear, so all matter is based on selective thinking.
Because the qi mechanism corresponds to the current continuous thinking state, during the formation of subconscious focus by adjusting the qi mechanism, we inevitably are affected by conscious thinking activities and the “stillness producing activity” rule, making the entire verification process very tortuous and arduous. At this stage, selective thinking manifests as high-frequency active states (scattered and moving) and low-frequency active states (stillness).
When selective thinking is not broken, it constantly shifts between these activity states. Only by breaking selective thinking can one enter meditative
absorption (dhyāna). In meditative absorption, selective thinking is subdued and no longer active. To thoroughly break selective thinking, one must return to the Tathāgatagarbha. Why? Because selective thinking is a function and expression of the grasping mind, which itself is formed in the “mind-movement” process. Thus, one must break the grasping mind and return to the Tathāgatagarbha to fundamentally break selective thinking. But in meditative absorption, selective thinking is temporarily suppressed—this is when the grasping mind is subdued, and selective function does not operate. Precisely because selective thinking is inactive, high-level meditative states no longer perceive material but only thought and concept.
—《Scientific Meditative Positivism》，Qingliangyue
Systematic Analysis of the Perceptual Characteristics of Microscopic Matter
The Mechanisms of Qi Flow, Temperature Sensation, and Light Perception in the Regulation of Consciousness States
Empirical foundational microscopic matter not only possesses the characteristic of “Qi,” but also features such as “temperature” and “light” perception.
In empirical practice, we often select one characteristic with relatively strong operability for observation. Which characteristics to choose depends on the purpose of the practice and the functions of these characteristics. Therefore, we need a comprehensive understanding of the various features of microscopic matter:
1. Qi Flow: The Precise Neural Regulator of the Sub-Macroscopic Matter Pathways
Qi flow: Qi flow is the only characteristic possessed by the “limited free matter” within the body; other higher-level free matter does not have this feature. If we wish to experience and utilize “limited free matter,” then we must observe “Qi flow.” Conversely, as long as we are experiencing and using Qi flow, we are experiencing and using limited free matter. Changes in Qi flow are extremely subtle and sensitive, with strong operability. For example, during the movement of Qi flow along the meridians, numerous variations occur, and even the tiniest changes can be keenly perceived. Thus, by adjusting Qi flow, we can adjust our thinking state, which helps eliminate poor habits associated with lower-level thinking states. Therefore, in empirical practice, we often choose to observe Qi flow and rely on it to conduct verification.
2. Temperature Gradient Perception: Nonlinear Transitions Related to the Deconstruction of Bodily Representations and Pleasure Sensation
Temperature sensation: The sensations related to temperature mainly include “dry heat, hot, warm, soothing warmth, and coolness,” among which “coolness” is unique to higher-level free matter. If we aim to experience and utilize higher-level free matter, we must experience this “coolness” feature. Meanwhile, “dry heat, hot, warm, and soothing warmth” belong to sensations specific to our physical body and develop progressively from lower to higher, corresponding one-to-one with different levels of thinking states. Among them, “warm” and “soothing warmth” correspond to relatively higher levels. Thus, if we want to experience and use limited free matter, we must experience features like “warm” or “soothing warmth.” Temperature perception is closely connected to pleasure sensation; in fact, experiencing temperature is experiencing pleasure, but changes in pleasure are difficult to subdivide finely, making it hard to master and less helpful for improving thinking and matter states.
However, temperature sensation is very beneficial for eliminating the sense of bodily parts. For example, in the “warm” or especially “soothing warm” states, we become unable to distinguish the specific positions of arms, legs, or torso, and even the overall sense of bodily existence becomes very vague. Thus, if the goal of empirical practice is to quickly eliminate the sensation of body parts and break the bodily sensations, it is best to experience temperature sensations like “warm” or “soothing warm.” At the same time, we should understand that “warm” and “soothing warm” are characteristics unique to the lower-level matter states corresponding to our current lower-level thinking states. Therefore, experiencing these features means we are using the current lower-level state and cannot escape it. The feature of “light,” which will be discussed next, is different — light is a higher-level matter and experiencing the feature of light facilitates escaping the current lower-level state and entering a higher-level state.
3. Light Perception Neural Representation: Strong Attractor Mechanism for Consciousness State Transitions
Light perception: “Light” is a type of higher-level free matter. Lower-level matter is built upon higher-level matter; higher-level matter is the constitutive condition of lower-level matter. According to the “Theory of Conditionality,” the constitutive conditions of a thing often manifest as some features of that thing. Thus, “light” becomes a constitutive condition of our current lower-level material world and manifests as one of its features. During evolution, light appears in different states: in our current material world, it is diffused; in the higher-level material world, it is condensed. Therefore, if we experience and use diffused light, we enter a relatively lower-level material world and use limited free matter; if we experience and use condensed light, we enter a relatively higher-level material world and use higher-level free matter. It is important to note that although limited free matter is higher than the macroscopic matter we usually use, it still corresponds to “continuity thinking state,” so fundamentally it belongs to lower-level matter as a transitional state from macroscopic to higher-level matter.
4. Perception Feature Selection Strategy: Progressive Regulation and Leapfrogging Breakthroughs in Empirical Path Differentiation
In our current lower-level state, light perception is diffused, faint, and lacks attractiveness. However, during empirical practice, the perception of light grows stronger, especially when a “condensed light cluster” appears, making light perception very obvious and rapidly attracting intense focus. This facilitates skipping over the current stage quickly, so experiencing light perception is very conducive to leap development in practice.
Comparing Qi flow, temperature sensation, and light perception: all three features can guide us to higher states. Qi flow changes are extremely subtle and can be subdivided into many states of different levels, allowing us to use Qi flow to break various habits and gradually raise thinking states, progressively mastering microscopic matter of different levels, states, and functions. Temperature sensation and light perception cannot be subdivided finely, and their developmental leaps are large, thus we can rely on them to enable leap development and rapid breakthroughs in practice.
Therefore, by using Qi flow, we can address issues in our current state and better use this state; by using temperature sensation or light perception, we can rapidly escape the current state and enter higher states. Clearly, the former aims to use the current state, while the latter aims to transcend it. We must choose which microscopic matter feature to use in practice according to our goals.
