The Achievement of Manas Application

Since learning to utilize the manas (mind root), this disciple's work efficiency has rapidly increased, and the workload has grown severalfold. Now, when facing any task, there is no worry about methods; abundant methods can be conceived. As soon as the mind dwells on a matter, attention is focused on it. Then, by simply sitting in meditation—or even just sleeping—a multitude of solutions will emerge. Once methods for handling problems arise, they must be recorded immediately or put into action right away; otherwise, they are easily forgotten later. After implementation, the results of the work improve progressively. Before learning to use the manas, encountering certain matters was extremely distressing, especially during busy work periods. Not knowing how to resolve issues caused considerable mental strain.

Over these years of using the manas, this disciple has indeed gained some experience, but summarizing it is challenging. Sometimes, the methods, tricks, and inspirations derived from manas contemplation are simply marvelous, leaving one astonished and wondering how they emerged.

Comment: This sharing of experience is genuine and authentic, devoid of any false or speculative interpretation. The meditative concentration (dhyāna) is excellent; one can enter samādhi very quickly upon sitting. The functions of consciousness are somewhat weaker, while the functions of the manas are powerful. It genuinely produces wisdom capable of solving practical problems, including wisdom related to the Dharma (Buddhist teachings). Once a problem enters the manas, the contemplation becomes very thorough.

After consciousness poses a question, it ceases thinking and suspends the question in the manas heart. Allowing the manas to contemplate secretly, it will ponder silently and inconspicuously. The result naturally appears, and when consciousness becomes aware of this result, sudden understanding dawns. At this moment, although consciousness is not actively thinking, one still senses a stream of mental effort and thinking power operating. This is a subtle way the manas contemplates problems covertly. The depth and duration of this contemplation, as well as the outcome, are determined by various factors.

The prerequisite for actively using the manas and enabling it to contemplate is that one must calm the mind and possess concentration power (samādhi strength). The deeper the meditative concentration, the more powerful the manas's contemplative function becomes, and the more astonishing the results. If one attains the concentration state before the first dhyāna (anāgamya-samādhi) or the first dhyāna itself, contemplating the Dharma with the manas makes breaking self-view and realizing the mind's nature (ming xin jian xing) relatively much easier. If concentration power is insufficient, it may feel like the manas is contemplating, but in reality, consciousness has not ceased and also participates in the thinking. Consequently, the result contains elements of conscious analysis and reasoning, making it less authentic.

Mastering this skill leads to great achievements in both worldly affairs (saṃvṛti-satya) and transcendental Dharma (lokottara-dharma). One attains unique, great wisdom, capable of handling various affairs with multiplied efficiency and remarkable results. This skill can be cultivated starting from elementary school age. Once mastered, it not only achieves twice the result with half the effort, but self-learning ability may increase severalfold. Outstanding talents will emerge in all walks of life. Such innovative individuals are talents that robots, no matter what, cannot catch up to or replace.