INTENSIFYING THE PRACTICE
The samādhi mechanism described in Step 1 and Step 2 above hasn’t yet touched on what’s known as the “luminous image”. According to the Abhidhamma and Brother Alpha’s interpretation, meditation on a fixed object (kasiṇa) passes through three stages: Initial Image, Conceptual Image, and Luminous Image.[1]
+ Initial Image: This is the rough initial image—for example, the digit, a clump of earth, a phone, etc.—that we look at with open eyes before closing our eyes for meditation. I use a Magic Doodle app[2] to draw out the numbers beforehand.
+ Conceptual Image: This is what arises after closing our eyes—when we try to remember the numbers from Sudoku and mentally draw them. For example, the first three digits: 6 8 3 in block 1 (as described in Step 1). When I visualize them, the images of those three numbers appear in plain white, just like how they look in the Sudoku app—or sometimes I color them in using shades from the Magic Doodle app (as in the side image). Regardless of the shape, color, clarity, or blur, these numbers are still part of imagination . In other words, they remain hidden or covered by the dark screen in front of me. It’s as though we’re drawing with a pen that has no ink—the strokes exist, but they’re invisible (i.e., they don’t emit light).[3]
+ Luminous Image: The two steps previously described are sufficient to reach samādhi, even though they stop at the Conceptual Image. Combining those with the mental math and time pressure is already enough to enter absorption. But once we've become familiar with entering samādhi more easily, we move into this intensified step: When visualizing the digits, we must now imagine them gradually lighting up—until they shine like an LED or neon sign (as in the diagram). Importantly, we must use our mind’s willpower and intentionality to make the numbers light up—they will not glow on their own. Naturally, the answers to our math problems should also be imagined as lit up before moving on to the next calculation. The moment a number lights up is the moment it becomes clearly visible—as if seen with open eyes. The numbers rise up out of the dark screen in front of us—they’re no longer hidden or obscured. (I’m still trying, but I haven’t yet succeeded in fully generating this Luminous Image with the numbers.) The diagram shows how a white dot gradually grows brighter. At first, it may be very dim or almost blend in with the black background. With focused willpower, we make it shine brighter little by little until it becomes radiant and vivid.
Therefore, these three factors combined—(i) the complexity of the math problem, (ii) the time constraint in memorizing the digits, and (iii) the deliberate act of gradually making the digits light up (according to our intention, including color and halo)—make this technique lead to strong, deep samādhi. (The diagram shows the integration of all three elements[4]).) The process of transforming a digit from dark (invisible, imagined) to light (visible, colorful, clear) aligns with the natural progression of the human soul.[5]. In practice, when I try to generate this Luminous Image, I often reach samādhi before even getting to the addition step. I might visualize 6 or 7 digits, slowly bringing them to light—and once the mind is stably concentrated, I then shift to the “dark corner” (as discussed earlier in Section B, Small Tip) and try to recall the missing number there. That’s when the mind stalls, gets tangled—and collapses into absorption. What’s more, the longer I do this, the smoother and gentler the entry into samādhi becomes—without passing through any state of unconsciousness or blackout.
This style of training—like a kind of mandala—effectively counters the mental state of boredom that weakens Sustained Application. It does so through the challenge of memorization and the continuity of solving the math. As Brother Alpha puts it: “This is the key to entering samādhi. And once you can enter samādhi, you can resolve any problem. Cultivating direct knowing helps build confidence that you're on the right path. And at some point, you won’t even need to see or know anything anymore—you’ll just focus on entering samādhi and transitioning through realms” (Form Realm → Formless Realm → Cessation of Perception and Feeling).
(End of Part 3/7)
Notes:
[1] Initial Image: Parikamma Nimitta; Conceptual Image: Uggaha Nimitta; Luminous Image: Patibhaga Nimitta.
[2] Sometimes I also use Glow Draw or Glow Drawings . Drawing numbers larger or smaller can help enhance concentration during visualization. Each time I draw, the patterns shift because the app only supports about 7–8 colors.
[3] It’s just like tracing letters with our finger on a table, or typing white font onto a white background in Word. We still imagine the letter, but it doesn’t appear—it isn’t something we can ‘see’.
[4] When redrawing the digits from the Sudoku board into Magic Doodle, you’ll notice the numbers constantly change color. Using this version to memorize before practicing increases the difficulty significantly—because even the color of the same number keeps shifting. The goal of practicing this way, as Brother Alpha says, is to be able to enter samādhi “anytime, anywhere, and for however long one wishes”.
[5] Brother Alpha said that the soul of someone approaching death experiences something very similar. He has experienced it during his own practice as well.
