釋禪波羅蜜次第法門 4.34

4.34

一、明利心覺觀者，行者坐中明利之心攀緣，念念不住，此應教令數息。何以故？數息之法，繫心在息，息是治亂之良藥也。若能從一至十，中間不忘，必得入定，能破亂想。數息之法，於沈審心中記數，沈審之心能治明利，是以數息能除明利心中覺觀病也。

First, explaining vitarka and vicāra with a sharp mind: during the practitioner's sitting, the sharp and agile mind grasps at conditions, not resting from moment to moment; such a one should be taught to count the breath. Why? The method of counting the breath binds the mind to the breath, and the breath is an excellent medicine for curing distraction. If one can count from one to ten without forgetting in between, one is certain to attain entry into absorption and will be able to shatter distracted thoughts. The method of counting the breath records the count with a deep, deliberate mind, and a deep, deliberate mind can cure sharpness and agility; therefore, counting the breath can eliminate the disease of vitarka and vicāra in a sharp mind.