What Is Samadhi-Prajna Equipoise?

Is there thought within observation? If there is no thought in observation, then nothing can be observed. During observation, consciousness involves thought, and the mind faculty (manas-indriya) involves even more thought. The mind faculty is certainly engaged in thought, and it does so with a degree of concentration, free from the disturbances of consciousness. Only at this moment can wisdom potentially arise, leading to new discoveries. The thought of surface consciousness serves as a prelude, aiming to elicit the subsequent thought of the mind faculty. It is the thought of the mind faculty that holds decisive significance, enabling the resolution of major issues and the realization of truths.

Therefore, when not a single thought arises and the mind is free of thoughts, although consciousness may be devoid of thoughts, the mind faculty is at its most diligent. The mental activity shifts and operates with great diligence. It may be in a momentary lapse of attention that an idea emerges, a strategy forms—this is the work of the mind faculty. This is profound contemplation, true profound contemplation. The profound contemplation of consciousness can trigger profound contemplation in the mind faculty. Without meditative concentration (dhyāna) or insufficient concentration power, it is impossible to induce profound contemplation in the mind faculty, and even profound contemplation in consciousness becomes very difficult. Under such circumstances, how can wisdom arise? The profound contemplation of the mind faculty is called the equipoise of concentration and wisdom (samatha-vipaśyanā), capable of giving birth to various states of meditative absorption (samadhi).