Sitting Still in the Dry Wood Hall

You should realize that this is the last day of your life. Have you prepared yourself for today's matter? You cannot prepare by studying sutras and teachings or by reciting from your Zen notes. Nor can you prepare through the cleverness of your mind. Precisely at this time when you are dying and confused, forgetting instantly everything you remembered in the past, is when it is necessary that you establish yourself in the ground of truth, and it is of no use trying to do it in a superficial manner. Right away, for every moment of the day, you should prepare for it by ceasing and resting. You must completely let go of all worldly concerns and sit still in the dry wood hall. You must die a turn and then in this death establish everything in the whole universe. 

-Master Zichun