In most cases, and certainly with beginners, this is impossible without the strict guidance and intimate involvement Of the Ch'an master. To bring students to a plane of consistent and productive effort, the master applies the meditative methods of Ch'an to help them cut off their clinging to private concerns, to settle their minds, as a precondition for an awakening. Master Sheng-Yen says, "When the mind is settled, it opens up." When the student's mind becomes calm and concentrated, it can be further refined and concentrated until it reaches a deep state of absorption, or samadhi. From there, one can make progress towards the experience of awakening.

In Master Sheng-Yen's words, we "start with the scattered mind, bring it to samadhi, and using the method of Ch'an, dissolve the unified state. The scattered mind lacks focus and energy. The student's energy must be collected and concentrated." This statement suggests that besides being spiritual guide and meditation teacher, the Ch'an master is also a psychologist who must be very perceptive about the mental states of his students. Because it is not possible to achieve such intimate rapport with a large group, Master Sheng-Yen limits his retreats to a small number of participants.

The spiritual ardor of Ch'an is faith in action. It arises out of a state of mind based on a collaboration between master and disciple. The energy source from which both draw is their faith in the teaching and method transmitted from Sakyamuni, down through the patriarchs and masters. The state of mind that is created is one in which the conditions exist to allow, in Master Sheng-Yen's words, "a cataclysmic experience" to happen.