Is Human Muscle Activity Governed by Consciousness or Manas?

Question: The manas directly regulates the human nervous system, and the nervous system directly controls the contraction of human muscles. It is thus evident that the direct operator regulating human muscle activity is the seventh consciousness, not the sixth consciousness. Why then is bodily action said to be the function of the sixth consciousness?

Answer: Muscle activity pertains to the functioning of the nervous system; it is a reaction following the issuance of commands by the central nervous system of the brain. The central nervous system of the brain is regulated by the manas. Once the manas initiates a decision, the cerebral cortex activates, and the central nervous system issues commands. These commands are transmitted to the corresponding nervous systems in the body, resulting in the phenomenon of muscle contraction. Although bodily, verbal, and mental actions are governed and directed by the manas, their specific operation must be jointly carried out by the sixth consciousness and the five sensory consciousnesses. If the sixth consciousness cannot manifest normally, the body cannot function.

Although the contraction and relaxation of the nervous system are regulated by the manas and are subconscious behaviors, they are very subtle and faint. This includes breathing, which has a part involving consciousness and a large part not requiring consciousness. Bodily movement cannot be accomplished without consciousness; subtle nervous system activities can occur without it, such as body twitches during sleep, eyelid fluttering, slight bodily movements, and even light breathing. However, consciousness can actively regulate breathing, such as with deep breaths, etc.

Muscular and neural activities closely linked to the physical body can be regulated by the manas alone without the need for the sixth consciousness to cooperate, though the sixth consciousness may participate. The sixth consciousness can only guide the manas; it cannot command the entire body because the manas alone can control the central nervous system, issuing commands there that can be transmitted throughout the body. Neural activities involving the sixth consciousness are called conscious behaviors; those not involving it are called unconscious behaviors. For example, respiratory activities, muscle flexion and extension, incontinence, gastrointestinal peristalsis, the circulation of qi and blood, and some special emotional activities—such as being startled with fear, bristling with rage, or being scared out of one's wits (resulting in defecation and urination)—can all occur without the participation of the sixth consciousness; the manas alone can accomplish them. However, the movement and activity of the body faculty must be jointly regulated and operated by the body consciousness, the sixth consciousness, and the manas.