The Four Relationships Between the Mind Consciousness and the Manas

Psychological problems in people are generally problems of the manas. When the manas long goes without understanding and release, and has been suppressed for a long time, psychological problems arise and manifest as symptoms of illness. To guide and resolve the manas's psychological problems, one way is to rely on other people who understand psychology, and another is to rely on one's own mind consciousness. If the mind consciousness clearly understands the psychological state of the manas, and possesses the methods, wisdom, and ability to solve problems, it can guide and resolve the manas's psychological emotions, allowing the manas to open its mind, understand, and suddenly see clearly. Generally speaking, there are about four kinds of relationships between the mind consciousness and the manas: two situations where the mind consciousness and the manas are in accord and harmony, and two situations where they are not in accord and harmony. 

In the first situation, the manas is wholesome and the mind consciousness is also wholesome; the two are in accord and harmony in wholesomeness. The mind consciousness does not go against the manas, and moreover can enhance the wholesomeness of the manas. The result is wholesomeness without any hesitation, wholesomeness done freely and gladly, wholesomeness from the inside out. There is no psychological problem; after doing wholesome deeds one feels even more refreshed. This is great wholesomeness, which can yield great wholesome retribution; the seeds of wholesome karma ripen quickly, and the wholesome retribution is received quickly as well. 

In the second situation, the manas is unwholesome and the mind consciousness is also unwholesome; the two are in accord and harmony in unwholesomeness. The mind consciousness does not go against the manas in the slightest, and moreover will enhance the unwholesomeness of the manas. The two will then join together in unwholesomeness done freely and gladly, without any hesitation; after committing unwholesome karma one feels even more refreshed and comfortable, feeling no shame or remorse. There is no psychological problem, but this is great unwholesomeness; the seeds of unwholesome karma ripen quickly, and the unwholesome retribution is received quickly as well. 

In the third situation, the manas is unwholesome while the mind consciousness is wholesome. When the mind consciousness is single-mindedly inclined toward wholesomeness, the manas feels uncomfortable and is unwilling to be wholesome, but is forced by environmental pressure to be wholesome nonetheless. Psychological problems will then arise in the manas, and afterward there may be regret. Sometimes this psychological problem can be resolved, and sometimes it cannot. This belongs to true unwholesomeness with false wholesomeness; the essence is unwholesome. If the power of the manas's unwholesomeness is greater than the power of the environment, and the mind consciousness's wholesomeness is relatively weak, failing to influence the manas, then the permeation fails, and unwholesome karma will be committed—this is true unwholesomeness. But it is not always so. If the mind consciousness is permeated by a good environment, becoming more and more wholesome, and infects the manas, overcoming the manas's unwholesomeness, then afterward it is possible that wholesome karma will be committed instead, and evil will no longer be done. 

In the fourth situation, the manas is wholesome while the mind consciousness has unwholesome thoughts due to environmental influences. When the manas is coerced by the environment into being unwholesome, there will be psychological shadows, repression, and remorse. Sometimes this psychological problem can be resolved through repentance and remediation, and sometimes it cannot, and the knot in the manas's mind is then tied. This belongs to true wholesomeness with false unwholesomeness; the essence is not corrupted. If the power of the manas's wholesomeness is relatively great, and the mind consciousness's unwholesomeness is weak, unable to overcome the wholesomeness or permeate it, then in the end it is the manas's wholesomeness that takes charge and commits wholesome karma. But this does not mean it is always so. If the environment persists and the power of the mind consciousness's unwholesomeness grows stronger, the manas may also comply with the mind consciousness's unwholesomeness and decide to commit unwholesome karma; the manas has then been successfully permeated by unwholesomeness.