BRIEF SOLITUDE HELPS CLEAR ONE’S MIND AND GAIN MENTAL STRENGTH
Master Jun Hong Lu: Our minds must remain pure, and we should often take short periods of retreat. A retreat means emptying and clearing our mind from all thoughts. Devote yourself to reciting scriptures from morning to night to instil a sense of peace within you. Even if you only have an hour to spare, retreat into a room, close the door, and recite. This is what it means to go into retreat and empty your mind.
A retreat is, in essence, to let go of all worldly thoughts and distractions. Whether for a minute, five minutes, ten minutes, or half an hour, your mind should focus entirely on Guan Yin Bodhisattva during recitation. During this time, you should not engage in conversation or answer phone calls; focus on maintaining an empty and tranquil mind.
After each recitation, pause for a moment and empty your mind before resuming. You must cultivate this mental state. If you succeed, when disaster strikes, you will be able to quiet your mind and immediately connect with Guan Yin Bodhisattva. The matter will be instantly resolved as Guan Yin Bodhisattva enters your body, blessing and protecting you from disaster. If your mind is cluttered with unwholesome thoughts, you will lack energy, mental strength and space in your heart for Guan Yin Bodhisattva to dwell.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms, Volume 6 Chapter 48