The Deliberative Nature of Manas in a Dazed State

Question: Through my own experience, I have found that the state of spacing out can be entered anytime and anywhere, and it is very efficient. The duration of spacing out varies, but I cannot use the manas to deliberate on the Dharma principles; using spacing out to deliberate on Dharma principles probably requires an entry point, which I cannot grasp for the moment. So I simply use this method of spacing out to train in meditative concentration. Is this in accordance with the Dharma?

Answer: If you have not found the manas, you cannot know that even in the state of spacing out, there is also the deliberative nature of the manas, because the deliberative nature of the manas is extremely hidden and not easy to discover. One needs to realize the manas and understand its functioning. Even after the six consciousnesses have all ceased, the manas still has its deliberative nature, its capacity for choice and decision, and various mental activities of consciousness. How much more so when the mind consciousness is in a state of concentration—then the manas's mental activities are even more present. The mental activities of the manas have never stopped; it is only a matter of what kinds of mental activities He has and what Dharma principles He deliberates upon.

This state of spacing out also contains the deep and subtle thinking function of the mind consciousness, and one must separate the thinking of the mind consciousness from the deliberation of the manas—this is extremely difficult. When the spacing out lasts a bit longer, one can deliberate on a Dharma principle that is not too profound, and can think through problems that are not too difficult, without using language and words. Many people have had similar experiences, but they cannot introspect upon it or summarize it, because they do not understand the activities of the manas.

Because I can observe the functioning of the manas, I am able to summarize this method of deliberation within meditative concentration. If I could not observe the functioning of the manas, I would not know that in the state of spacing out, the manas has also been activated—functioning, deliberating, and making choices—and then I would be unable to tell others about it or guide them. Discovering and summarizing experience is also the crystallization of wisdom.