How to Tame the Habitual Tendencies of the Manas to Alleviate Afflictions

The Practice of Observing Manas: I recently gained some minor insights regarding manas, feeling that its "actions" are layered. Before the arising of the five sense-consciousnesses, it primarily manifests the nature of doubt; only after the five sense-consciousnesses arise does it clearly display characteristics like greed and aversion. In daily life, we usually only become aware and reflect after the habitual tendencies of greed and aversion have already arisen. During meditation, we strive to reflect and observe right at the initial arising of the five sense-consciousnesses. However, this process of reflection and letting go generally requires some guidance from consciousness; it cannot be achieved immediately upon reflection (this indicates that manas has not yet fully realized the emptiness of the five aggregates). This is precisely what troubles me now.

Comment: The initial doubt of manas stems from uncertainty about the Dharma, so it cannot yet make a decision. Once the mind becomes certain and free from doubt, a decision is made. After the decision, the six consciousnesses arise and act according to the intention of manas. During this process, consciousness observes the Dharma and, in observing, discovers its own greed, aversion, and ignorance — this "self" refers to manas. The greed, aversion, and ignorance of manas are reflected through the actions of the six consciousnesses. At this point, isolated mental consciousness possesses the power of observation or introspection. Generally, when the awakening power of isolated mental consciousness is not very strong, it only observes one's own habitual tendencies of greed, aversion, and ignorance after the actions of body, speech, and mind have been completed — this is already a step too late. If the awakening power of isolated mental consciousness is strong, it will discover the presence of greed, aversion, and ignorance when about to decide on an action, recognize that the intended action is karmic activity rooted in greed, aversion, and ignorance, and decide not to act. This decision is fed back to manas, which then makes its own choice. The final outcome depends on the awakening of manas.

If manas lacks strong awakening and has heavy habitual tendencies, it will still insist on its decision, unwilling to change the actions of body, speech, and mind, allowing the afflictions to continue manifesting. However, even so, the introspection of isolated mental consciousness is still effective. It plants a seed in manas, influencing it, letting manas know that this behavior is greed, aversion, and ignorance, that it is unwholesome and should not be done. Next time manas intends to manifest afflictions, hesitation and obstacles will arise in the mind, and the intensity of the afflictions will lessen. After consciousness repeatedly prevents and advises, the inclination of manas will change, and it will cease to perpetuate the actions of affliction. Therefore, spiritual practice is not an overnight matter. Every instance of introspection by consciousness influences manas and plants seeds for the elimination of afflictions. These seeds will eventually take root, sprout, blossom, and bear fruit. The afflictions accumulated by manas over countless lifetimes are like a mountain; they cannot be transformed in a short time. Patient cultivation is necessary, and one should constantly maintain awareness.