The Habitual Tendency of Mental Faculty towards Self-Grasping

Ru Chun: During meditation, it felt as if a force from within was about to dismantle the bodily shell from the inside out. An involuntary fear arose in my mind, causing me to withdraw from that state. Is this a phenomenon where the manas' attachment to the body is too severe to break through at once? Two days ago, just as I was falling asleep, I felt as if a small hole opened at the top of my head—the sensation was vivid and clear—which startled me awake. Later, upon careful reflection, I realized it was merely an inexplicable, persistent tingling and aching sensation concentrated at the crown of my head. The manas possesses a strong self-protective instinct; even in sleep, it vigilantly guards itself.

Commentary: This phenomenon occurs when the energy channels are clearing through the crown of the head. As the entire body undergoes adjustment and renewal, one may feel as if the bodily shell is being torn apart by the impact of the energy channels. Indeed, the manas of ordinary individuals is deeply attached to the body, clinging heavily to the physical form. This is a habit tendency of the manas accumulated over beginningless kalpas. Due to ignorance, it perceives the physical body as real, as belonging to itself, and the perceived states as genuine. Thus, it instinctively avoids harm and seeks benefit. Why can the manas so swiftly cause the physical body to flee from a state? Because the manas is perpetually united with the physical body, constantly aware of its condition. It can rapidly control the entire body through the central nervous system of the brain, even during sleep. Consequently, the physical body reacts to states with remarkable speed.