修習止觀坐禪法要 1.76

1.76

First, entering has two aspects: first, taming discursive thoughts so that they do not run wild; second, ensuring that sinking and floating, laxity and tension, are appropriately balanced. What is the characteristic of sinking? If when sitting the mind is dim and dark, retaining nothing, and the head is prone to drooping, this is the characteristic of sinking. At that time, one should tie mindfulness to the tip of the nose, causing the mind to dwell on the object without scattering thoughts; this can remedy sinking. What is the characteristic of floating? If when sitting the mind tends to drift, the body is also uneasy, and one thinks of external, extraneous objects, this is the characteristic of floating. At that time, it is appropriate to settle the mind downward, binding conditions to the navel to curb various scattered thoughts; the mind then dwells stably, and it will easily become calm. In summary: neither sinking nor floating is the characteristic of a harmonized mind. The concentrated mind also has characteristics of laxity and tension: the characteristic of an overly tense concentrated mind is that due to collecting the mind and applying mindfulness during sitting to enter concentration, sharp pain consequently presses upward into the chest; one should relax the mind and imagine the breath all flowing downward, and the affliction will heal of itself. As for the characteristic of an overly lax mind, one perceives the mind's intent to be scattered and sluggish, the body prone to slouching, or saliva drooling from the mouth, or moments of darkness and gloom. At that time, one should gather the body and tighten mindfulness, making the mind dwell on the object and keeping the body upright and firm; use this as the remedy. That the mind has characteristics of sluggishness and slipperiness can be known by inference. This is the method of harmonizing the mind upon first entering concentration.