What Cause the Eight Sensations during Sitting Meditation?

我們在修禪定時，身口意在轉變，也就是變化氣質，脫胎換骨，轉凡成聖。這心念集中的過程，生理、心理就會產生感受與變化。心理上的轉變就是看見光明、瑞相或恐怖境界……，生理上的轉變即是產生八觸。八觸就是：動、癢、冷、暖、輕、重、滑、澀。

In the process of meditation, our body, speech, and will are undergoing transformation.  It is like our temperament is changing, personality transformation for the better, from being a mortal in the process to becoming a saint.  When our mind is focused, we undergo physiological and psychological transformation.  Psychologically, we may see light, images, or even scary scenes…..  Physically, we may experience the eight kinds of sensations.  These eight bodily sensations are motion, itching, coldness, warmth, lightness, heaviness, smoothness, and roughness.

動：地大、水大、火大、風大互相變動、衝擊，身體由不規則的搖動到規律的搖動，甚至身體會跳動，則稱為動相。不知道的人會以為是氣機發動或魔鬼附身，其實不然。

1) Motion:  The four elements of earth, water, fire, and air in the body are mutually changing, colliding; the body is transforming from unregulated movement to regulated motion.  An uninformed person might think that the energy in his body is moving, or that he is being possessed by evil spirits. But that is not the case.

癢：氣鑽到微細的神經，所以會發癢。

2) Itchiness: When the air in the body penetrates the fine nervous system, itchiness will occur.

冷：意識入到水大，身體即會感覺發冷。

3) Coldness: When consciousness enters the water element, the body will feel cold.

暖：心入到火大，身體會發燒、發熱、出汗，甚至大汗淋漓。

4) Warmth: When the consciousness enters the fire element, the body will feel hot, feverish, or can even break out in sweat.

輕：心入到風大，就感覺身體輕飄飄的，如雲如塵，有飛行感。

5) Lightness: When the consciousness enters the air element, the body will feel very light, like clouds or dust in the air, can even feel like flying.

重：心入到地大，就感覺到很沉重，身體覺得像一塊石頭、一座山一樣，動彈不得。

6) Heaviness: When the consciousness enters the earth element, the body will feel very heavy, like a piece of boulder, or even a mountain; one feels immovable.

滑：身體好像有光明、油脂一樣，身滑如乳。

7) Smoothness: The body feels shiny, bright, like being covered with a film of oil, feels slippery like milk.

澀：身體感覺粗糙、不通，身如木皮。

8) Coarseness: The body feels very rough, the skin feels like the bark of a tree.

這些境界都是幻覺，是生理、心理的轉變，不要害怕、執著，也不要貪愛、取捨，始終在心上用功，修一切善，斷一切惡，觀心反照，不散亂、不顛倒，漸漸地一打坐，定境就現前，身心達寂靜之境界，此時會產生一種定力、智慧、感應，但皆不可執著。

All these phenomena are illusive; but are necessary processes in one’s physiological and psychological transformation.  Do not be afraid, nor become attached, nor develop liking or grasping.  Focus by working on this mind, cultivate by doing good deeds, sever all evil actions; and always reflect back to this mind.  Do not be scatterbrained, do not become perverse.  By practicing diligently, gradually, stillness will come to you; and your mind and body will reach a state of absolute silence and peace.  In this state, you will come to possess the power of Samadhi (deep concentration), wisdom, and empathy; but still, do not form attachment to them.