The Unique Deliberation (manasikāra) of the Manas (2)

As for the parts that the mind consciousness has already cognized, there is no need to think about them again; the manas needs to quietly deliberate (manasikāra) on them by itself. The manas's mode of deliberation is very special, different from the thinking of the mind consciousness. What is meant by "special" is that the deliberative nature and mode of deliberation of the manas are extremely difficult for the mind consciousness to observe, so many people simply deny that the manas has any thinking or cognitive activity, denying that the manas has any mental activity at all. These people are far too reckless and hasty, and overly confident.

When one is silent without speaking, the mind consciousness is no longer thinking, while the manas is working, never having stopped. The mind consciousness can frequently cease its thinking activity and enter a state of rest and sleep, but the manas never rests; it can continuously and unceasingly deliberate on all kinds of issues, in a very hidden manner. When the manas deliberates, it is very deep and difficult to observe; it can consume the brain's energy and cause neural fluctuations in brain waves.

Therefore, when a person is not speaking or analyzing, we must never assume that this person has no thoughts, no views, no ideas, that his mental activity has ceased and all is quiet. It is not so. His manas is rapidly turning and operating, deliberating, weighing, and examining, very deeply and very covertly. Afterwards, his mind will have a settled rule, an idea, a position, a decision—but he does not necessarily have to say it out, does not necessarily have to express it, does not necessarily have to let others know. Yet in his mind there is indeed strength; his attitude becomes resolute, even unshakable.

Whereas when the mind consciousness, through thinking, analysis, and reflection, arrives at a result and a decision, the mind is not very firm; there is still hesitation and indecision, unable to make up its mind—because the manas does not know or understand, there must be doubt in the mind, and naturally one cannot make up one's mind.