问：「近来用功，亦颇觉妄念不生，但腔子里黑窣窣的。不知如何打得光明？」
先生曰：「初下手用功，如何腔子里便得光明？譬如奔流浊水，才贮在缸里，初然虽定，也只是昏浊的。须俟澄定既久，自然渣滓尽去，复得清来。汝只要在良知上用功，良知存久，黑窣窣自能光明矣。今便要责效，却是助长，不成工夫。」
问：「近来用功，也颇觉妄念不生了，只是胸中还是黑沉沉的。不知怎样才能打得光明？」
先生说：「初下手用功，胸中怎么可能就光明？譬如奔流的浊水，刚贮进缸里，起初虽静止了，也还是浑浊的。必须等澄定得久了，渣滓自然去尽，恢复清澈。你只要在良知上用功，良知存养久了，黑沉沉的自然能光明。如今便要责求速效，就是助长，不算功夫。」
Asked: 'Of late the wild thoughts seem gone, yet within the breast all is dark — how bring it to light?'
The Master said: 'At the start, how should the breast be bright? As turbid water fresh from the torrent, stilled in the vat, yet still muddy — only long settling clears the dross away. Work only upon innate knowledge; kept long, the dark will brighten of itself. To demand results now is forcing growth — not the work.'