A Vijñapti-mātratā Analysis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a symptom manifested by the conflict between the sixth and seventh consciousnesses. An individual's manas (the seventh consciousness) is extremely stubborn in wanting to perform a certain action, yet the consciousness (the sixth consciousness) is very rational and unwilling to do so, deeming it unwise. However, the consciousness does not understand why manas insists on this course of action and thus cannot effectively persuade or guide manas. It can only forcefully refuse to carry out the action, refusing to act.

Why does manas harbor such thoughts and desire to do such unreasonable things? The most reasonable explanation is karmic obstructions, sometimes referred to as habitual tendencies. Manas follows karma force, controlled and manipulated by it. The consciousness, being rational and understanding principles, recognizes that this impulse is highly undesirable. It thus controls and opposes manas's decision, refusing to execute manas's commands. Consequently, the two engage in intense conflict, giving rise to obsessive-compulsive disorder. For example, a child may have harmed their mother in a past life. Due to karmic conditions, they are reunited in this life, and the mother may seek to retaliate against the child. However, the consciousness has no such intention and refuses to follow the karma force, thus blocking manas's retaliatory impulses. The struggle between karma force and rationality, the conflict between love for the child and hatred toward them, this entanglement of love and hate creates intense internal conflict and profound suffering—all driven by the compulsion of karmic conditions from past lives.

Who ultimately prevails depends on which is stronger: the rationality of the consciousness or the karma force influencing manas. To make the consciousness stronger and dominant, one must cultivate the wisdom to persuade and guide—penetrating understanding, clear thinking, sound reasoning, patience, skillful methods, and tact. Gradually, this can guide manas to relinquish its original impulse. The consciousness must carefully and patiently understand why manas holds such thoughts. It should persuade manas to broaden its mind and cultivate magnanimity, to diligently maintain the mother-child relationship, to consider more deeply the infinite benefits and joy the child will bring in the future, to reflect on the child's suffering, to recognize that treating the child well is equivalent to treating oneself well, and to contemplate the hardships and difficulties of pregnancy.

From the relationship between consciousness and manas, we observe that both hold distinct views. Why can their thoughts and concepts be inconsistent? If they could be completely aligned, would that be good? Coercion exists—consciousness can coerce manas, and manas can coerce consciousness. In obsessive-compulsive disorder, who typically forces whom? It is usually manas coercing consciousness, while consciousness resists. If both could jointly eradicate ignorance, ultimately destroying it completely and fundamentally transforming consciousness into wisdom, then the sixth and seventh consciousnesses would become entirely unified, perfectly coordinated, and operate in seamless harmony, resulting in powerful capacity for action. Action refers to the bodily, verbal, and mental activities of the sixth consciousness. The capacity for action stems partly from the power of consciousness and partly from the power of manas. The power of consciousness can be transmitted to manas; the power of manas can empower consciousness. When the two are harmoniously united, the capacity for action is maximized.