The Relationship Between the Manas, Meditative Concentration, and Enlightenment

The manas's deliberation (manana) is deeper, subtler, and more thorough than the mind consciousness's thinking; therefore, enlightenment is possible only when the manas also simultaneously deliberates and investigates the Dharma principles. Moreover, in order for the manas to participate in the investigation of Dharma meaning, one must possess relatively deep meditative concentration (samādhi); only then can the Dharma meaning penetrate deeply to the manas and only then can it prompt the manas to deliberate and examine with single-minded focus. Without meditative concentration, the manas cannot concentrate, and it cannot exert any force in the investigation. If one forcibly engages in contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) without meditative concentration, that is called guessing and emotional speculation with intellectual interpretation. As for what the outcome of that would be, everyone already knows. Therefore, only when you have thoroughly understood and clarified the relationship between meditative concentration and enlightenment, and the relationship between the manas and enlightenment, can you begin to apply effort in investigating Chan.