Can the Mind Root Cultivate and Realize Its Own Wholesome and Unwholesome Mental Activities?

To correct its mental activities, the manas must first be able to introspect its own mental activities, recognize their shortcomings, and then be willing to make corrections.

How can the manas introspect its own mental activities? Through the observation, analysis, and contemplation of its mental activities by the consciousness, a conclusion is reached and fed back to the manas. The manas then ponders this information, thereby gaining a correct understanding of its own mental activities. Simultaneously, the consciousness contemplates that such mental activities must be corrected; otherwise, they will create unwholesome karma leading to negative retribution, obstruct the spiritual cultivation path, and increase suffering. Once the manas comprehends this, it will resolve to amend itself. Without the consciousness’s correct and rational analysis and contemplation, the manas cannot recognize its own shortcomings and thus cannot correct itself. The consciousness serves as an assistant to the manas in subduing ignorance and afflictions.