The Four Relationships between Mind Consciousness and Manas

Psychological problems in people are generally problems of the manas. When the manas long goes without understanding and outlet, and has been suppressed for a long time, psychological problems arise and manifest as symptoms of illness. To guide and resolve the psychological problems of the manas, one way is to rely on other people who understand psychology, and another is to rely on one's own mind consciousness. If the mind consciousness clearly understands the psychological state of the manas, and possesses the methods, wisdom, and ability to solve problems, it can guide and resolve the psychological emotions of the manas, allowing the manas to open its heart and understand, becoming suddenly enlightened. Generally speaking, there are about four kinds of relationships between the mind consciousness and the manas: two situations in which the mind consciousness and the manas are in harmony and accord, and two situations in which the mind consciousness and the manas are not in harmony and accord. 

In the first situation, the manas is wholesome and the mind consciousness is also wholesome; the two are in harmony and accord in wholesomeness. The mind consciousness does not go against the manas, and moreover can enhance the wholesomeness of the manas. The result is wholesomeness without any hesitation, wholesomeness done with wholehearted delight, wholesomeness from the inside out. There is no psychological problem; after doing wholesome deeds one feels even more refreshed. This is great wholesomeness, which can yield great wholesome retribution; the seeds of wholesome karma ripen quickly, and the wholesome retribution is received quickly as well. 

In the second situation, the manas is unwholesome and the mind consciousness is also unwholesome; the two are in harmony and accord in unwholesomeness. The mind consciousness does not go against the manas in the slightest, and moreover will enhance the unwholesomeness of the manas. The two will then join together in unwholesomeness done with wholehearted delight, without any hesitation; after committing unwholesome karma one feels even more refreshed and comfortable, feeling no shame or remorse. There is no psychological problem, but this is great unwholesomeness; the seeds of unwholesome karma ripen quickly, and the unwholesome retribution is received quickly as well. 

In the third situation, the manas is unwholesome while the mind consciousness is wholesome. When the mind consciousness is single-mindedly oriented toward wholesomeness, the manas feels uncomfortable and is unwilling to be wholesome, but under environmental pressure it has no choice but to be wholesome. Psychological problems will then arise in the manas, and afterward it may feel regret. Sometimes this psychological problem can be resolved, and sometimes it cannot. This belongs to true unwholesomeness and false wholesomeness; the essence is unwholesome. If the unwholesome power of the manas is greater than the power of the environment, and the wholesomeness of the mind consciousness is relatively weak, having no influence on the manas, with the cultivation failing, then unwholesome karma will be committed—this is true unwholesomeness. But it is not always so. If the mind consciousness is cultivated by a good environment, becoming more and more wholesome, and influences the manas, overcoming the unwholesomeness of the manas, then afterward it may commit wholesome karma and no longer do evil. 

In the fourth situation, the manas is wholesome while the mind consciousness, influenced by the environment, has unwholesome thoughts. When the manas is pressured by the environment and has no choice but to be unwholesome, there will be psychological shadows, repression, and remorse. Sometimes this psychological problem can be resolved through repentance and remediation, and sometimes it cannot be remedied, and the psychological knot of the manas is then tied. This belongs to true wholesomeness and false unwholesomeness; the essence is not bad. If the wholesome power of the manas is relatively strong, and the unwholesome power of the mind consciousness is weak, unable to overcome the wholesomeness or cultivate influence over it, then in the end the wholesomeness of the manas takes charge and commits wholesome karma. But this does not mean it is always so. If the environment persists and the unwholesome power of the mind consciousness grows stronger, the manas may also comply with the unwholesomeness of the mind consciousness and decide to commit unwholesome karma, and the manas will then have been successfully cultivated by unwholesomeness.