The Four Relationships Between Consciousness and Manas

Psychological issues in humans generally stem from problems with the manas (the mental faculty). When the manas is consistently denied understanding and catharsis, suppressed over a prolonged period, psychological problems arise, manifesting as pathological symptoms. Addressing the psychological issues of the manas relies on two main approaches: one is seeking help from others who understand psychology, and the other is relying on one's own consciousness. When the consciousness clearly comprehends the psychological state of the manas and possesses the methods, wisdom, and capability to solve problems, it can guide the psychological emotions of the manas, allowing the manas to become open-minded, resolved, and clear. Generally, the relationship between consciousness and manas can be categorized into four main types. The state where consciousness and manas are in harmony and unity has two variations, and the state where they are disharmonious and not unified also has two variations.

The first scenario: the manas is virtuous, and the consciousness is also virtuous. The two are harmoniously united in virtue. The consciousness does not oppose the manas; instead, it enhances the manas's virtue. The result is goodness without hesitation, genuine and thorough goodness, goodness from the inside out. There are no psychological problems. Performing virtuous deeds brings even greater joy afterward. This is great goodness, capable of yielding great karmic rewards. The seeds of wholesome karma mature quickly, and the experience of wholesome retribution is swift.

The second scenario: the manas is evil, and the consciousness is also evil. The two are harmoniously united in evil. The consciousness does not oppose the manas in the slightest; instead, it enhances the manas's evil. The two then act together in genuine and thorough evil, without hesitation. Committing unwholesome deeds brings even greater comfort and ease afterward, with no sense of shame or remorse. There are no psychological problems, but this is great evil. The seeds of unwholesome karma mature quickly, and the experience of negative retribution is swift.

The third scenario: the manas is evil, but the consciousness is virtuous. When the consciousness is single-mindedly inclined towards goodness, the manas feels uncomfortable and unwilling to be virtuous. However, compelled by environmental pressures, it has to act virtuously. This causes psychological problems for the manas, which may lead to regret afterward. This psychological issue can sometimes be resolved, but sometimes it cannot. This constitutes genuine evil with superficial goodness; its essence is evil. If the power of the manas's evil is greater than the power of the environment, and the consciousness's goodness is relatively weak, failing to influence the manas and permeate it unsuccessfully, unwholesome karma will be created. This is genuine evil. However, this is not always the case. If the consciousness is positively influenced by a wholesome environment, becoming increasingly virtuous, it can infect the manas, overcome its evil, and potentially create wholesome karma in the future, ceasing to commit evil.

The fourth scenario: the manas is virtuous, but the consciousness, influenced by the environment, harbors evil intentions. When the manas is forced by the environment to act evilly, psychological shadows, repression, and remorse arise. This psychological issue can sometimes be resolved through repentance and remedy, but sometimes it cannot. A psychological knot forms within the manas. This constitutes genuine goodness with superficial evil; its essence is not bad. If the power of the manas's goodness is strong, and the power of the consciousness's evil is weak, unable to overcome or permeate the goodness, the manas's goodness ultimately prevails, leading to the creation of wholesome karma. However, this does not mean it is always so. If the environment persists and the power of the consciousness's evil strengthens, the manas may also succumb to the consciousness's evil and decide to create unwholesome karma. In this case, the manas has been successfully permeated by evil.