In the heart of Tiantai practice lies zhiguan—“calming-and-insight”—a seamless blend of śamatha (tranquility) and vipaśyanā (penetrative awareness). Using the Lotus Sūtra as its compass, this tradition doesn’t just teach meditation; it unfolds it in stages, each reflecting the universe within a single thought.

• Samadhi of Constant Sitting and Walking
Two sides of the same coin: long periods of seated stillness alternate with mindful ambulation. Sitting sharpens focus, walking restores energy, and together they train body and mind in tandem.

• Half-Walking, Half-Sitting Samadhi
A bridge between extremes. By interweaving movement and stillness—perhaps fifty paces followed by five minutes of breath-counting—this practice cultivates steadiness that carries into daily life.

• Neither Walking Nor Sitting Samadhi
The ultimate test of inner equilibrium. Beyond posture, it invites a constant, unshakable presence—whether standing, lying down, eating or even sweeping the courtyard.

• “One Thought Contains Three Thousand”
A famed Tiantai insight: every single moment holds infinite realms—form, feeling, perception, volition and consciousness interacting in boundless ways. Contemplating this reveals how macrocosm and microcosm mirror one another.

• Elemental and Skandha Reflection
Breaking down experience into earth, water, fire, air and space—or the five aggregates—offers a hands-on approach to seeing how phenomena rise and fall, moment by moment.

In recent years, Guoqing Temple on Tiantai Mountain has welcomed new waves of urban meditators, drawn by guided zhiguan retreats that sync ancient wisdom with today’s need for digital detox. Even apps inspired by Tiantai’s pulse—brief sitting breaks paired with mindful walking—are popping up, proving that Lotus-Sūtra-rooted methods can still light the way in our gadget-driven age. Whether under a Bodhi tree or beside a city park’s koi pond, these practices train the mind to rest in its own nature—a ready reminder that inner stillness isn’t a luxury, but the very ground of ordinary life.