Direct Perception and Non-valid Cognition

Sitting in meditation with eyes closed, after a period of time, as mental grasping gradually diminishes, various images may arise. These are not produced by the conscious mind, and when one attempts to examine them with the conscious mind, the images vanish. Upon resuming stillness, various images reappear.

During meditation, some images are generated by the conscious mind, while others emerge directly from the brain—that is, from the root of mind (manas). These represent the pratyakṣa-pramāṇa (direct perception) state, which is the most authentic, practical, and conducive to the arising of wisdom. When observed with the conscious mind, the power of concentration diminishes and weakens, causing the state to disappear. The conscious mind has an interfering effect, obstructing the emergence of wisdom from the root of mind.

Images generated by the conscious mind result from emotional reasoning or intellectual interpretation, sometimes arising from random thoughts, and are largely useless, mostly constituting apramāṇa (non-valid cognition). What requires verification, what must be personally realized, must emerge directly from the brain. The conscious mind lags in awareness, only later experiencing sudden realization. True awakening occurs precisely in this manner. Without the power of concentration, do not expect to attain this fundamental, direct awakening.