There are two categories of practice. One is the practice of no method and the other is practice with a method. The first can be summed up by the Sixth Patriarch's words, "Thinking of neither good nor evil, what is your mind right now?" This approach ultimately leads to the Ts'ao-tung (Jap: Soto) sect's method of silent illumination. Practice with a method may be based on kung-an, hua-t'ou, or counting breaths. In the practice of no method, the practitioner does not respond to thoughts that arise. The thoughts are noted and then ignored. Eventually, thoughts lessen until wisdom manifests. In the practice with methods, the student also ignores the vexing thoughts, but, by turning the mind toward a method, the mind becomes focused one-pointedly; eventually, the method itself disappears and wisdom manifests. The goals are the same: the meditator realizes that the problems that cause restlessness and instability are rooted in and created by the illusory self. For Ch'an, analysis and explanation are not necessary.

In some forms of psychotherapy, the therapist engages in dialogue with the patient to find out what has been happening in the patient's mind. Patient and therapist aspire to come to some understanding of the problem. Ch'an masters typically do not do this. Therapists may try to determine patients' problems by associating symptoms with the systems or theories they are versed in. This is not always reliable because everyone has a different life history and experiences. Therapists may believe their analysis and approach are objective, but they may be wrong.

Furthermore, to rely fully on science is limiting. There also exist things not measurable or observable. For example, if therapists were to cope with problems deriving from karmic force or demonic obstructions, their theories may not be able to handle the problems. The Ch'an master does not try to solve personality problems. Students are given methods and they deal with their own problems.