The Relationship Between Sensation and Manas

Question: Why does a dream that is forcibly interrupted cause a headache upon waking, whereas naturally completing a dream does not?

Answer: Dreaming is the function of the manas (mind faculty). When the manas is unsettled by mental concerns, it manifests them in dreams. If a dream is abruptly interrupted, the unresolved mental state of the manas causes discomfort. This discomfort, in turn, induces a headache. This phenomenon illustrates how the mind influences the body. Whether the manas is joyful or displeased, it produces corresponding actions that manifest physically—such as dancing for joy, beaming with smiles, trembling all over, or having hair stand on end in rage. From these observable phenomena, it is evident that the manas experiences sensations, and not merely neutral vedanā (feeling). When a dream is forcibly interrupted and one wakes immediately, the headache is felt instantly. This headache is unrelated to the consciousness (vijñāna); consciousness merely perceives the headache. It is the manas that induces the headache. When it cannot complete what it intends to do, it becomes unhappy and unable to endure, thus expressing this frustration physically. By regularly reciting mantras and the Buddha's name, the mind becomes pure and free of concerns, leading to dreamless sleep and improved sleep quality.