The State of Non-Arising of a Single Thought

When no thought arises, there is no isolated mental consciousness. When isolated mental consciousness exists, there must be thought, for thought is the thought of isolated mental consciousness. Sense-accompanied mental consciousness merely perceives, cognizes, and discriminates. When sense-accompanied mental consciousness is in a state of mere cognition and perception without engaging in discrimination, that is the state of no thought arising. At this time, the knowing function of manas (the mental faculty) becomes more distinctly apparent. Manas possesses awareness and also has thought, but the mental consciousness is not clear about it. This state is also one of meditative concentration (dhyāna), where the mind is neither chaotic nor complex, with few and simple matters occupying it. When no thought arises, mental consciousness ceases to produce thoughts, but manas does not; the thoughts of manas generally do not cease. For example, in a state of no thought arising, if one suddenly thinks of something and immediately gets up to go out and attend to it, this is the result of manas' thought turning when mental consciousness is not producing thoughts.

How does this state come about? It is also brought about by manas exercising its mastery and making choices. When manas does not grasp at objects and does not wish to discriminate dharmas, mental consciousness can only obey, existing and operating quietly and peacefully. This is also when manas has no particular ideas, when manas has no obvious thoughts. If manas has an idea, it will impel mental consciousness to act and realize manas' idea. If manas is mindful of other dharmas, mental consciousness will inevitably become distracted to process them; it will not remain quiet and peaceful but will become restless and chaotic. In such a state, one cannot maintain stability and thus loses meditative concentration.