The manas takes all dharmas as its objects, with emphasis, with focus, and with selectivity.

The imputed nature (parikalpita-svabhāva) of the manas does not mean that it grasps at all dharmas, or that it can grasp at all of them simultaneously; because its energy is insufficient, it must make some choices from moment to moment. Some dharmas the manas is indifferent to; some dharmas it loathes and avoids—though this still counts as grasping; some dharmas it craves with great attachment; and some dharmas it habitually engages with and discerns through habitual clinging. Although the manas can universally attend to all dharmas, it still cannot attend to all of them simultaneously at one moment; there are still priorities, emphases, and selections—especially regarding the dharmas it wishes the six consciousnesses to process, which are even more selectively chosen. Otherwise, the six consciousnesses would be unable to keep up with the discernment and would become exhausted and collapse. On this point, the manas understands well.