The Characteristics and Benefits of Manas-Based Contemplation

Reflection on difficult problems occurs at varying levels of depth. The most superficial level involves conscious thought alone, where the manas (root consciousness) remains uninvolved due to lack of familiarity with the problem and absence of meditative concentration (samadhi). During this conscious thought process, elements such as language, written words, and sounds become intermingled, accompanied by mental imagery of thought—a process easily observable due to consciousness's introspective awareness of its own functioning. Language here includes self-talk and bodily gestures; written words encompass those physically recorded as well as mental imaginings and descriptions; sounds include audible utterances and silent inner voices. At this level, thought can be scattered, requiring neither mental focus nor samadhi. The resulting conclusions are not acknowledged by the manas, which, having not participated, lacks conviction. Such conclusions are easily overturned and do not translate into corresponding actions.

At a slightly deeper level of contemplation, the manas becomes involved, accompanied by shallow concentration. Consciousness and manas engage in joint contemplation—one overt and one covert—complementing each other's strengths and weaknesses, potentially still involving language, words, or sounds. Consciousness provides data, examples, and preliminary analysis, while the manas discards some objects of attention (dharmic objects) to contemplate with partial or semi-focus. Because the manas is engaged in contemplation, it lacks the capacity to attend to all dharmic objects, necessitating the abandonment of some. This gives rise to rudimentary samadhi, where the manas decides which dharmic objects to attend to and which to disregard. Without the manas's participation, there would be no selective abandonment of objects and thus no rudimentary samadhi. The more dharmic objects the manas abandons, the deeper the samadhi becomes, the more profoundly it engages in contemplation, and the more readily it arrives at conclusions.

The deepest level of contemplation involves the manas contemplating alone. At this stage, samadhi is already profound; the supportive and transmitting functions of consciousness are complete; the manas has become familiar with the problem; and the vast majority of dharmic objects have been abandoned. The manas contemplates and investigates single-mindedly within deep samadhi, continuing even in dreams without rest. Once a conclusion is reached, consciousness immediately understands upon awakening, without disrupting sleep. The emergence of samadhi—even briefly—inevitably activates the manas. Conversely, once the manas enters its contemplative mode, it tends to become deeply focused, inevitably entering samadhi as it can no longer attend to other dharmic objects.

This demonstrates that the manas is the sovereign consciousness, responsible for decision-making and arrangement. Once it contemplates, it cannot manage other matters, and samadhi inevitably arises. The presence or absence of samadhi during spiritual practice depends entirely on the manas; it holds the authority. Therefore, to swiftly cultivate samadhi, one must frequently engage the manas. To engage the manas in contemplation, one must diligently cultivate samadhi. Those who habitually contemplate with the manas will, upon encountering difficult problems, immediately enter this mode of manas-contemplation without conscious guidance. Their attention becomes intensely focused, inwardly concentrated, free from language, words, or sounds, and undisturbed in its focus. Throughout history, individuals of profound thought and great wisdom have invariably been those accustomed to contemplating with the manas.

The benefit of contemplating with the manas is the ability to resolve core issues directly and conclusively, without doubt, hesitation, or regret, and with inner joy. Compared to conscious thought, it is more penetrating, more ultimate, more thorough, deeper, wiser, more inwardly affirmed, and more solidly grounded. Its conclusions remain permanently aligned with reality, requiring no effort to memorize or recite. In contrast, conclusions derived from conscious thought are easily forgotten and difficult to recall later.