禪譯為「靜慮」，又為「思惟修」。思惟就是參；靜慮就是「時時勤拂拭，勿使惹塵埃」。思惟修就是教你提起話頭，念玆在玆，時刻不忘的意思。所謂「朝於斯，夕於斯」，在自己的自性上用功夫，不是向外馳求。凡是外來的境界，若是跟著它跑，便很容易走錯路。從自性生出的境界，才是真境界。這一點，希望各位要弄清楚，否則便上魔王的當，結果成了他的眷屬。

Chan translates as "stilling the thought." It also means "thought cultivation." "Thought" refers to investigating the meditation topic. "Stilling the thought" means, "At all times, wipe it clean, and let no dust alight." "Thought cultivation" is done by means of raising the meditation topic in thought after thought and never forgetting it. As it is said, "We do it in the morning, and we also do it in the evening." You should apply effort within your own nature and not seek outside. If you follow after any external state, it is easy to go astray. Only states that arise from your own nature are true states. I hope all of you will note this point clearly. Otherwise, you will be tricked by the demon king and end up as one of his followers.

靜慮這個法門，要綿綿密密地用功，不要間斷。在用功的時候，要好像母雞在孵蛋那樣地專心，又好像龍在養珠那樣地謹慎，又好像貓在捕鼠那樣地忍耐。參禪要有堅、誠、恆的心，不可有驕傲的心。不要以為我比誰都高，比誰都強。如果有這種思想，那就是狂魔入體，功夫不會進步。

This Dharma-door of "stilling the thought" requires that you apply continuous, unrelenting effort, without any interruption. In your meditation, you should as concentrated as a mother hen sitting on her eggs. You should also be as careful as a dragon guarding its pearl. Furthermore, you must be as patient as a cat waiting outside a mousehole. Chan meditation requires determination, sincerity, and perseverance. You cannot be arrogant and assume that you're higher and better than everyone else. If you have thoughts like these, that means a demon of insanity has possessed you, and your skill will never advance.

參禪的時候，不可打妄想。打妄想就沒有真實的受用，浪費大好的時光。參禪要有忍耐心、長遠心。參禪的祕訣，就是忍，忍不住也要忍；忍到極點，就豁然貫通，明朗開悟。若沒有忍耐心，不能吃得苦，不能耐得勞，遇到境界，便投降了，這種行為最要不得，是參禪的大忌。

When you cultivate Chan, you should not indulge in idle thoughts. When you have idle thoughts, you don't gain any benefit, and you waste a tremendous amount of time. Sitting in Chan requires patience and perseverance. The secret of success in Chan meditation is patience; whatever you cannot endure, you must still endure. If you can endure to the ultimate point, then suddenly you can penetrate through and experience the clarity of enlightenment. If you lack patience and cannot endure bitterness and fatigue, then you will surrender to the states that you encounter. To give in like that is a great mistake; it is the great taboo in Chan meditation!