Although Ch'an teachings are new in the West, Ch'an itself is ancient. It has existed since beginningless time. Likewise, a great practitioner also seems ancient in his appearance and manner. Outwardly, he may seem thin and impoverished, but when you look more closely, you will see that he is spirited and healthy. You would not think he is a sage because he does not call attention to himself; fame, power and material riches mean nothing to him. His manner is noble and poised, and his mind is silent and peaceful.

During retreat, I always tell people to isolate themselves. It is not an easy thing to do. You all have families and friends that you care for and think about, but you must put your thoughts of them aside when you participate in a retreat. When you have scattered thoughts, they usually involve relations with other people. One student told me that he did not want to be on a retreat if his girlfriend also attended, because he would always be wondering how she was doing. His girlfriend is not here, but I am sure his mind is often with her. The walls of the Ch'an hall cannot stop the mind.

There are several steps to isolating yourself. First, you must isolate yourself from the people around you: as far as you are concerned, you are the only person meditating in this hall. Do not think about the person next to you, no matter if the person coughs, sways, or jumps up to go to the bathroom all the time. None of it has anything to do with you. When you sit, you may hear someone laugh, cry, or even scream. Naturally, it will arouse your curiosity, but you must learn to separate yourself from the people around you.