How to Eliminate Doubt

Question: I have a heavy habitual tendency towards doubt, and the force of this skeptical thought is very strong. When my mind lacks the strength to contemplate, I tell myself to observe this thought and do nothing else, allowing the manas to slowly deliberate on its own, believing it will eventually reach a conclusion. What is going on here?

Answer: Consciousness can introspectively observe its own thoughts and mental formations. After observing them, it gains a certain level of understanding of these thoughts and is able to analyze and contemplate the validity of one's doubts. As for the final outcome, how to address and handle it—that is the function of the manas. Consciousness then relays the information it has discerned to the manas and ceases to interfere with the manas' contemplation. The manas will then quietly and gradually deliberate until it thoroughly clarifies the doubt, discerning whether the skeptical thought is right or wrong and understanding how to handle it. Once this is achieved, the doubt is eliminated, and one rids oneself of it.