The Modes of expression of Mano-Indriya

Question: In a dream, two individuals, A and B, are conversing. A asks: "Is there a self in feeling and consciousness?" B replies: "There is no self." Both the question and the answer are expressions using language by consciousness. So, did the manas (mind faculty) participate in this dialogue?

Answer: The entire dream is manifested by the manas. By utilizing the persona of A, it raises its own doubt, aiming to have consciousness contemplate and resolve the issue on its behalf. The manas requires consciousness to solve the problem because it has already developed doubt and seeks to resolve it, which is why it created this dream.

Expressing through language and words is a function of consciousness. Behind the expression of consciousness lies the choice and impetus of the manas, along with the thoughts of the manas. Consciousness is driven by the manas to express itself. What is expressed might be the viewpoint of consciousness itself, or the viewpoint of the manas, or a shared viewpoint of both. If the manas has no doubt about this issue and does not wish to know the answer, it would not create this dream.

If the manas already knows the answer to the question, how should it express itself when the other party asks? Since the manas lacks the function of language and words, it must express itself in two ways: First, through the language, words, and sounds of consciousness, and consciousness will answer swiftly without thinking, as if without using the brain or contemplation. If there is hesitation or deliberation, what is expressed is usually more the viewpoint of consciousness itself. Second, the manas may express itself through a state of mind, or what is called a realm. The manas will manifest a realm that represents its thoughts, concepts, and psychological state. The deepest realm is typically referred to as the samadhi state. Both the severance of self-view and the realization of the mind's nature involve the appearance of a samadhi state characterized by established concentration and wisdom, signifying that the manas has realized emptiness and selflessness. When the manas abides in the samadhi state, it signifies seeing the truth.

After the manas understands and realizes that feeling and consciousness are without self, what manifestations will appear in daily life? What differences will there be compared to before? What changes will occur in one's nature and habits?

Experience of Bai Xuexiang (White Snow Fragrance): The changes in daily life are extremely significant. However, habits occasionally bubble up but are instantly noticed through awareness. Gradually, the force of habits diminishes more and more. These habits are precisely karmic force.

Experience of Ru She (Like Letting Go): One no longer dwells on the cognitive disturbances brought by feeling and consciousness, nor is there the impetus to stir greed or false thoughts. Afflictions rarely arise in the mind. The pace of life slows down considerably. Experiencing people and events feels like watching from the outside, with a sense of detachment. But it's unclear whether this increases compassion.

Having a sense of detachment towards people and events means maintaining a certain degree of separation from them, not clinging too tightly or becoming overly dependent. This is a psychological state close to emptiness. It indicates that one's practice has achieved certain results, entering the stage of the four preliminaries. After passing through this stage, one severs the view of self.