What Constitutes Realization?

Many people speak of experiential realization every day. What is meant by "actual"? "Actual" refers to the present-moment experiential state of the manas (the mental faculty). The level of the manas determines the level of cultivation. The state of the consciousness (vijñāna) is illusory, fleeting in the blink of an eye, like ephemeral flowers with no grounding. The manas is the sovereign consciousness, commanding the actions of the six consciousnesses (body, speech, and mind). The understanding of the consciousness is not experiential realization, because the consciousness cannot govern the actions of body, speech, and mind.

Experiential realization requires realization by the manas. To achieve realization through the manas, dhyāna (meditative concentration) is indispensable. Without sufficient dhyāna, the manas cannot deeply and subtly contemplate the data and information provided by the consciousness, nor can it achieve thorough comprehension of what the consciousness understands and resolves. Therefore, it cannot attain realization; it remains merely the isolated understanding of the consciousness alone. Thus, apart from dhyāna, do not speak of experiential realization. When there is understanding by the consciousness but no realization by the manas, there is no merit or benefit of liberation to be experienced; it is a case where virtue does not match the position.