..續本文上一頁本的功夫，並不分南北傳。那麼如何從修行中去把握這個覺呢？我想講講我自己的體會。從覺的這叁個特征上，我們就可以知道應該如何去修。

　　First, we should contemplate all the time and be in the present moment, and pay attention to see if we slip away from mindfulness. When we talk loudly, we often slip from mindfulness into thought. It”s better to speak slowly and softly and maintain a certain level of mindfulness at the same time. We should not talk too much. When walking fast, we often slip away from mindfulness. Angry thoughts also make us slip far away from mindfulness.

　　第一個，我們應該時時觀照，保持當下，要經常留意觀照自己是不是從「覺」滑到「念」上去了。當我們說話大聲的時候，就常常會從「覺」滑到「念」上去了。說話應該比較輕聲一點，比較慢一點，並且要保持一種輕度的覺照，這樣就可以不使覺失掉了。沒有事的時候，就不要多說話。走路快了，也很容易從「覺」滑到「念」上來。你打一個瞋念，那就滑得很遠了。

　　Second, our cultivation should be continuous. Ideally, we should maintain it all day long. Walking, standing, sitting, and lying are all times to cultivate mindfulness. In this way, we can establish a powerful mindfulness. To establish the skill of mindfulness, the important thing is to do it in everyday life, not only during a Chan session. If you are able to be mindful all the time, being single-minded without confusion, you can say that you have found the right path of cultivation. According to several great Chan Masters, if one can maintain one”s Chan investigation single-mindedly without any false thinking , one will be enlightened soon.

　　第二點就是要連續不斷地修，因爲「覺」要求連續不斷。最好整天連續修，行住坐臥都應該在覺當中，這樣才能夠建立起來有力量的覺。因此建立覺的功夫是在平常，並不只在禅七。如果你每分每秒都保持在覺當中，那就是一心不亂，修行也就可以說是上路了。禅宗大德都說過，如果能一心不亂，那很快就會開悟了。

　　Third, we should maintain good health and energy so that our awareness can stay clear. Cultivating mindfulness consumes more energy than ordinary meditation. Therefore, we need to adjust our sleep and food to avoid drowsiness, which is not good for cultivation. Keeping the middle way is very important. When you feel sleepy, you can cultivate mindfulness while walking or moving. Usually the mindfulness gained from walking is more powerful than that from sitting.

　　第叁就是你要保持充分的體力，使覺知非常清晰。修覺是非常費精力的，通常要比打坐還費精力。因此你就要比較好地調整你的睡眠和飲食，來維持充分的精力，否則就很容易産生昏沈，那修行起來就很困難。因此在這當中就應該保持中道，當昏沈比較重的時候，可以在動中來修，也就是說你可以修步行禅。實際上從動中修出來的覺，那是更有力量。

　　Generally speaking, cultivating mindfulness requires a gentle method. Do not push too hard. Genuine skill comes from applying effort in every second of your daily life.

　　總而言之，修覺的方法應該要柔，不要剛，是由平時綿綿密密去做的，這樣才會出真功夫。

《把握當下的覺 Maintaining Mindfulness in the Present Moment》全文閱讀結束。