The Difference Between Vijnana Patience and Manas Patience

Any state of mind, emotion, or mental activity, including the cognitive functions of the mind such as understanding, insight, discrimination toward people, objects, and principles, are all divided into two types: consciousness and manas (the root of mind). These two differ in depth and level, with certain distinctions between them; they are not entirely consistent or identical.

For instance, patience is divided into the patience of consciousness and the patience of manas. Both may possess patience, or only one might. When manas lacks patience, the patience of consciousness is not long-lasting. For example, when engaged in a task for an extended period, manas loses patience and no longer wishes to continue, yet consciousness pretends to persist. This so-called pretense arises because the two mental states—consciousness and manas—are inconsistent, each holding its own thoughts while temporarily maintaining the current state. In reality, manas is planning other matters. Once a decision is made, manas will choose to pursue other affairs, and consciousness, unable to take charge and persist, will see its patience come to an end.

When consciousness lacks patience but manas possesses it, even though the mind is restless like a monkey and consciousness entertains various plans, because manas remains steadfast and makes no other choices, consciousness has no choice but to continue, unable to take control. When both possess patience, the attitude toward the task remains unchanged. One can then perform the same task day after day, year after year, without mental fatigue or slackening.