（來源：「禪坐入門」一書，禪天下出版有限公司出版）
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如何排除妄念? 很多人都有這樣的禪坐經驗：妄念、雜念特別多。其實妄念是一種意識行為，也就是腦神經的活動，一般說來，這種意識活動很難掌控，即使睡覺的時候，也會不由自主的作夢，這表示腦神經仍在活動，並沒有休息。 如何才能讓腦神經休息，不隨便耗損能量？很簡單，就是在不需要用意識思考的時候，就把它空掉。很多人在年輕時過份使用腦力，等到年老的時候，腦汁不夠用，便得了老年癡呆症，這就是平時對腦部缺乏保養所造成的。 而且，一個意念很多的人，思緒起伏也會很大，譬如：第一，他晚上一定睡不好，經常失眠；第二，他的皮膚會很乾燥，因為睡不好，新陳代謝當然也不好；第三，他會很神經質，做什麼事都很緊張；第四，他的性子會很急，沒有耐性。可見意念對一個人的影響之大。 禪坐時，大腦會產生一種大磁場，就是腦波。曾有科學家以實驗證明，禪坐時，腦的變化會很集中，也就是腦波比較平穩，而越平穩的腦波代表磁場越強，所以當我們運用腦波時，就會產生能量變化；這就像瓦斯濃縮後會產生強大的力量一樣。禪定時，把精神力貫注在腦波（就像濃縮中的瓦斯），讓它產生層層的力量，然後變成光波；這種光波可以消拭意識磁場。以禪修來說，這是一個很重要、高層次的提升。只有在意識停止活動的時候，才能讓腦波變成光波。因為讓意識停止的目的，就是將意識濃縮，如果意識無法停止，就無法形成光波，當然也產生不了作用。一定要強而有力的光波，才能將潛藏在大腦裡的不良磁場消除掉（比方像毒癮）。 所以，我們要藉由呼吸將意識統一，進而歸零，然後進入禪定。 |
Non-Thinking
Meditation is about turning our mind inward on a single focus with full concentration. However, our thinking mind tends to wander and fantasize which creates a barrier to concentrating the mind in meditation. These non-stopping thoughts are the product of our brain activity or consciousness. They are difficult to control and are just as active when we are asleep as when we are awake. In fact, dream is one indication that our brain is still active and not resting in sleep.
How, then, can we put our brain to rest when it needs it the most? A straightforward answer is to simply "turn it off" when you do not need it. This will not only conserve your body's energy but will also prevent loss of memory or Alzheimer's at an early age -- an appalling consequence of overusing the brain. With some practice, we can all learn to keep our brain young and healthy by "turning it off" when its use is not needed.
An over-thinking mind will also take its toll on our quality of life. Sleeping disorders, dry skin and poor metabolism due to sleep deprivation are all results of an over-thinking mind. Over-thinking may also reflect in an individual's bad temper and impatience, as well as tenseness and nervousness. These all demonstrate the close relationship between our body and mind.
Meditation is a proven antidote to an over-thinking mind. As evidenced by science, our brain waves alter in meditation; specifically, a pure and peaceful magnetic field is generated in a meditative brain. Immersed in this magnetic field -- and its augmented form, light -- we will be able to reduce or erase the wandering thoughts. This transformation of brain waves is an indicator of a deepened practice, and will happen only when the regular brain activities cease. The pure magnetic field or light is powerful as it can eliminate negative influences from our consciousness and subconsciousness, such as addiction, impulsiveness, greed, infatuation, fury, and the like.
Therefore, when meditating, try to turn the mind inward and focus the mind. By focusing, thousands of millions of random thoughts will cease, and the body and mind will unify. This is when non-thinking manifests itself.
