The Secret of Diligent Contemplation

When practicing Zen meditation, consciousness may be free of thoughts, but the manas must never be devoid of mental activity. If there is no mental activity at all, it is purely the cultivation of concentration. Such thoughtless concentration cannot give rise to wisdom, thus it cannot lead to enlightenment or the realization of one's true nature.

When concentration is exceptionally strong, consciousness may appear to be free of thoughts, yet in reality, there remains a subtle mental thread suspended within the mind—specifically within the manas. The manas engages in deep investigation while consciousness cooperates. When sufficient information and complete data are available, the manas takes the lead in investigation. If data is insufficient, the manas requests information and data from consciousness, then continues its profound inquiry. This is the true secret of diligent investigation in Zen practice. Once fully understood, it ceases to be a secret.

When the manas requests information from consciousness, consciousness must engage in clear thinking and analysis. The results of this analysis are then delivered to the manas, which subsequently continues its investigation based on this data.

We have all experienced moments when the surface of the mind appears free of thoughts and deliberations, yet the depths remain unsettled, harboring hidden mental movements. It resembles the ocean: its surface may appear still and undisturbed, yet beneath lies a powerful, swift current. Similarly, the manas is deep, elusive, and unfathomable.

Experienced and highly responsible Zen masters observe whether a disciple's conditions are ripe. If conditions are insufficient—particularly if the disciple lacks meditative stability—the master refrains from offering guidance prematurely, lest the disciple attains only intellectual understanding and remains forever devoid of vibrant awakening. The wisdom attained under different masters varies greatly, and the depth of realization differs significantly. Therefore, encountering a particular master precisely reflects one's own store of merit.