Which Consciousness Corresponds to Speech and Mind When They Diverge?

In daily life, we often encounter situations where words contradict thoughts—where the heart and mouth are at odds. For instance, while harboring resentment toward person A internally, the verbal and physical actions displayed are those of compassion and care, concealing the true thoughts of the mind. So, are these true inner thoughts mental formations of the mind-consciousness or mental formations of the manas? When ordinary people introspect and recognize this state, it should belong to the mind-consciousness; the true inner state corresponds to the manas and should belong to the manas. However, since the manas is the governing consciousness, the manifested verbal and physical actions are the result of the six consciousnesses following the manas. Therefore, this compassion and care should also be mental formations of the manas. Yet, the so-called true inner thoughts we introspect—resentment toward person A—appear as compassion and care, which are not the true inner thoughts. Where exactly does the problem lie?

When the mental formations of the mind-consciousness and the manas are inconsistent, if the power of the mind-consciousness is strong enough to overwhelm the manas, the manas has no choice but to comply with the mind-consciousness, allowing it to speak and express itself according to its own thoughts. However, when acting, the manas still adheres to its original intent. Thus, the actions of the mind-consciousness represent only itself, not the manas. This is not to say that the manas is being deceitful or that the heart and mouth are at odds. As commonly said, this is "not speaking from the heart"—the mind-consciousness does not speak or express itself according to the original intent of the manas. In this case, resentment should clearly exist in the heart, but the mind-consciousness refuses to reveal this resentment to others. If others were to discover it, they would perceive one as lacking virtue. Therefore, to demonstrate one's virtue, the mind-consciousness presents an appearance of compassion and care toward others, seeking to create a favorable impression and positive evaluation from others.

When pretending, it is entirely a disguise orchestrated by the mind-consciousness. The mind-consciousness can devise schemes or cunning plots, compelling the manas to agree. When the manas lacks a clear stance, it may comply with the arrangements of the mind-consciousness. Once the mind-consciousness relaxes its vigilance and ceases to monitor the manas, the manas will act according to its true thoughts, revealing its true form. Mental formations without the disguise of the mind-consciousness represent a person's genuine virtue and cultivation. At this point, whether the manas has undergone cultivation becomes evident.

The mind-consciousness can exert a certain influence on the manas. If the ideas and thoughts of the mind-consciousness align with the mental formations of the manas, the manas will fully agree and make decisions swiftly, without hesitation. If the mind-consciousness does not align with the mental formations of the manas, the manas will deliberate and consider before deciding. If the analytical power of the mind-consciousness is particularly strong and persuasive, even if the manas disagrees, it may reluctantly agree. If the stance of the manas is very firm, the mind-consciousness cannot make it comply or agree. If the manas is very stubborn, the mind-consciousness cannot persuade it.

If the manas is not controlled by the mind-consciousness and acts entirely according to its own mental formations, the person will be unrestrained, naive, simple, willful, and stubborn, displaying their true nature—good is good, bad is bad, with a strong personality. If regulated by the mind-consciousness, the manas cannot fully express its true nature and must adopt varying degrees of disguise, especially in front of others, particularly those with whom one has significant relationships—some pretense is necessary. This indicates that the manas is still not sufficiently refined, hence the need for disguise. When there are people or matters one cares about, one cannot act freely according to one’s nature.

If a person’s nature is characterized by habitual lying and numerous falsehoods, it indicates that the essence of the manas is very flawed. If the mind-consciousness does not regulate it, it will never change. If the manas has no habit of lying and dislikes falsehood, yet the mind-consciousness insists on lying to conceal certain facts, this is pretense—a case of the mind-consciousness providing misguided guidance to the manas.