here's info on demonic realms when mediating:
51) Discussion on Demonic Realms
http://www.ymba.org/BWF/bwf73.htm#demonicrealms
As indicated above, sometimes the
Buddha Recitation practitioner sees marks and forms which could
actually be demonic realms. These are instances where cause and
effect do not correspond. For example, while visualizing the
physical features of Amitabha Buddha, a practitioner may suddenly
see the features of a beautiful woman. Another cultivator,
diligently reciting the Buddha's name in the hope of seeing
auspicious scenes of the Pure Land, may unexpectedly see a slum
area, with men, women and domestic animals running back and forth
in all directions. Yet another practitioner, hoping to see precious
lotus blossoms in the Pure Land, suddenly sees a small cart
instead. These are demonic realms, as cause and effect do not
correspond.
There are five criteria that can help us determine which events are
real and which belong to the demonic realms.
1. Instances where cause and effect do not correspond (such as
visualizing one mark but seeing another, hoping to see one realm
but seeing another), as well as scenes and realms that do not
resemble those described in the sutras, are all demonic
realms.
2. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have pure compassion; therefore, even
if they take the appearance of "demons" to test us, we still feel
calm, at peace and pure. Demons, on the contrary, are inherently
evil and wicked; thus, even when they take the appearance of
Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, we feel agitated, angry and uneasy.
3. The Buddhas' light makes us feel calm and refreshed; it has
neither shadow nor a blinding effect on the eye. The light of
demons, on the other hand, affects our eyes and makes us feel
agitated rather than calm and peaceful; it also has shadows. The
reference to the Buddhas' light in the Lankavatara Sutra
illustrates this point.
4. The teachings of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are in accord with
the sutras and the truth. The words of demons are contrary to the
truth and not in line with the sutras' teachings.
5. When an auspicious mark appears, the practitioner who wishes to
test it need only concentrate on reciting the Heart Sutra with a
pure mind, or reciting a mantra or the Buddha's name with
one-pointedness of mind. If the mark really is auspicious, the more
he recites, the clearer it becomes, because genuine gold is not
harmed by fire. If it belongs to the demonic realm, it disappears
as he recites, because evil can never withstand the truth.
We should judge events by all five of the above criteria, not just
one or two. This is because there are many celestial demons,
externalist deities and Immortals who want to lead us their way and
therefore falsely take the appearance of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
preaching the Dharma. Although their cultivation is not the
ultimate Way leading to liberation, they may have good karma or a
fairly high level of samadhi. Thus, their "light" can also make us
feel refreshed and peaceful. Moreover, their teachings at times
also encourage the performance of good deeds, keeping the precepts,
vegetarianism and Buddha Recitation. However, they diverge from the
Buddhist sutras on certain crucial points [such as the need to
escape Birth and Death]. Only by exercising careful judgement and
understanding the Dharma in depth are we able to know.
Ancient masters have said:
When we see demons yet remain undisturbed, the demons
self-destruct; when we see ghosts yet remain undisturbed, the
ghosts are vanquished.
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