The eight liberations correspond to eight levels of samadhi. Progressively deeper levels of samadhi free one from particular attachments. The eight liberations do not free one from Samsara ─ the cycle of birth and death. The ninth samadhi level liberates one from Samsara.

A Ch'an practitioner does not have to cultivate the three bodies or four wisdoms. Rather, the three bodies and four wisdoms are already complete in his realization of self-nature. Likewise, he does not have to cultivate the six psychic powers and eight liberations. They are all complete in the enlightened practitioner's pure mind. When the enlightened practitioner interacts with others, he uses his wisdom to help sentient beings, but he rarely displays extraordinary powers. Ch'an patriarchs and enlightened beings look and act like ordinary human beings.