The Distinction Between Consciousness and the Preference of Manas

The inclination of the mind can be broadly categorized into two levels or two degrees: the superficial liking of the conscious mind and the profound liking of the manas (mind-root). The liking that lacks autonomy belongs to the conscious mind, while the liking that drives one to obtain the desired object by any means, to take action to acquire it, belongs to the manas. Addiction, obsession, and persistent preoccupation all stem from the liking of the manas. For example, within a family, the head of the household has the final say. When liking something, there may be the child's liking and the parent's liking. However, no matter what the child likes, they cannot make the decision; they must obtain the parent's approval to acquire what they like. Conversely, the parent obtains whatever they like by whatever means they choose. Here, the child corresponds to the conscious mind, and the parent corresponds to the manas.

If the liking of the conscious mind influences the manas, causing the manas to also like it or to agree with the conscious mind's liking, then the manas will decide to obtain the desired object and go to acquire it. The liking of the conscious mind is influenced, on one hand, by the manas, and on the other hand, by the external environment (the six dusts/objects). The liking of the manas arises, on one hand, from beginningless kalpas of afflictive habits and, on the other hand, from the permeation or influence of the conscious mind. If the liking of the conscious mind does not affect the manas, the manas will disregard it, leaving the conscious mind liking it in vain without obtaining it. For instance, liking the study of the Dharma: the conscious mind likes it first, and then the manas may come to like it later. If the conscious mind likes studying the Dharma but the manas does not, one will not be diligent in practice. If the manas also likes studying the Dharma, one will pursue it assiduously and cultivate diligently with vigor. The ability to persist long-term without giving up always stems from the liking of the manas. Intermittent effort indicates the manas is not very interested and is merely being pulled along or controlled by the conscious mind; when the conscious mind loses control, the manas drifts away.