How to Engage Manas in Problem-Solving Without Affecting Sleep

If one wishes to assign a task to the manas before sleep without affecting rest, allowing the manas to contemplate a problem during sleep, it is necessary for the manas to be thoroughly familiar with the issue—to understand its content fully—so that there is no need for the conscious mind to assist in analyzing the problem nor to transmit any further information. Moreover, the problem should not be urgent; it should not require an immediate solution or answer. Only then will the manas feel at ease allowing the six consciousnesses to cease.

After assigning the task and presenting the problem for contemplation, one should refrain from engaging in or thinking about any other matters. Go directly to sleep, ensuring that the manas holds only this single matter in mind, free from being overshadowed or disturbed by other concerns. If the manas needs to engage the conscious mind to cooperate in thinking, it must be because it is still not sufficiently familiar with the problem and cannot find a path or direction toward a solution, thus requiring the conscious mind to assist in analysis and provide reference information. However, if the manas is thoroughly familiar with the problem and possesses a method to resolve it, even if the conscious mind wishes to assist in analysis, the manas will not use it, finding it bothersome.