How to Discern Whether the Manas Is Engaged in Contemplation

Master, I have a question: When I feel that the doubt sensation has already arisen, and at this moment, the question in my mind has condensed into a single point—such as "Who is dragging the corpse?"—and I entrust it to the manas, but I don’t know whether the manas is contemplating it or not, what should I do? For example, when I see people walking on the road, my consciousness can’t help but wonder, "How can an empty shell walk like that?" Could this knowing nature of consciousness distract the manas, preventing it from fully focusing on contemplation? But if I don’t let the consciousness think about it, I feel as though there’s nothing in my mind, empty and unsettled. I have no idea what the manas is contemplating at this moment. What should I do?

Answer: The fact that you constantly feel this huatou (critical phrase) in your mind means that the manas is contemplating and investigating it. Your mental attention is always fixed on the huatou—it’s not obvious thinking, analysis, or deliberation, but you can’t shake it off either. This is the manas engaging in investigation. Even if the consciousness has simple thoughts, the manas still holds the doubt sensation, silently pondering the huatou. Of course, thoughts from the consciousness affect the manas, but sometimes there’s just no way around it!