The Difference Between Mental Blankness and Thoughtlessness

Trance is when the mind faculty becomes deeply engrossed in a certain matter, with attention almost entirely focused on the object of concentration. The conscious mind has no thoughts, yet the mind faculty engages in very subtle deliberation, while the conscious mind remains without mental activity. This is a profound state of meditative absorption. Its efficacy depends on how long it can be sustained; if maintained for a sufficient duration, it can thoroughly resolve a problem, leading to sudden enlightenment, clarity, and the resolution of all doubts.

A state of no-thought, where the conscious mind has no thoughts and the mind faculty has nothing to focus on, is described as somewhat scattered and relatively mild—a dull, vacant state. Since there is no issue to ponder, it resolves nothing, brings no sudden enlightenment, sparks no inspiration, and gives birth to no wisdom.