In the State of Spacing Out, There Is the Deliberation (Manana) of the Manas

Question: Through my own experience, I have found that the state of spacing out can be entered anytime and anywhere, and it is very efficient. The duration of spacing out varies, but I am unable to use the manas to deliberate on the meaning of the Dharma; using spacing out to deliberate on Dharma principles probably requires an entry point, which I cannot grasp for the moment. So I simply use this method of spacing out to train in meditative concentration. Is this in accordance with the Dharma?

Answer: If you have not found the manas, you cannot know that even in the state of spacing out, there is also the manas's capacity for deliberation, because the manas's deliberative nature is extremely hidden and not easy to discover. One needs to realize the manas and understand its functioning. Even after the six consciousnesses have all ceased, the manas still has its deliberative nature, its capacity for choice and decision, and various activities of consciousness-mind. How much more so when the mind consciousness is in a state of concentration—then the manas's consciousness-mind activities are even more present. The manas's mental activities have never stopped; it is only a matter of what kind of consciousness-mind activities He has, and the differences in what Dharma principles He deliberates upon.

This state of spacing out also contains the deep and subtle thinking function of the mind consciousness, and one must separate the mind consciousness's thinking from the manas's deliberation—this is extremely difficult. When the spacing out lasts a bit longer, one can deliberate out a Dharma principle that is not too profound, and can think through problems that are not too difficult, without employing language and words. Many people have had similar experiences, but they cannot introspect upon it or summarize it, because they do not understand the manas's activities.

Because I am able to observe the functioning of the manas, I am able to summarize this method of deliberation for cultivating meditative concentration. If I could not observe the functioning of the manas, I would not know that in the state of spacing out, the manas has also been activated—functioning, deliberating, and making choices—and then I would be unable to tell others about it or guide them. Discovering and summarizing experience is also the crystallization of wisdom.