The Deliberative Nature (manana) of the Manas

Here is a case provided to the Dharma master: I have a question—after entering a state of meditative concentration (samādhi) and raising the question, I directly perceive the solution to the problem. The solution does not come as a result of thinking, but as a result of direct observation.

Case analysis: The "thinking" he refers to here is the surface-level deliberative function of the mind consciousness. But as long as the problem is handed over to the manas, and the mind consciousness does not engage in surface thinking, the manas has its own unique capacity for deliberation (manana) and power of thinking, which ordinary people's mind consciousness cannot observe or know. Although the mind consciousness is not deliberating or thinking, after a certain time an answer still emerges. Where does this answer come from? It is deliberated by the manas itself; the manas's capacity for deliberation is truly remarkable. In the final stage of investigating Chan, it is mostly the manas's function of deliberation that operates. Whether or not most people acknowledge this fact, it remains a fact.

A wise person would never be one of that majority.