The Constant and Deliberative Contemplation Nature of Manas

The characteristic of the manas (mind root) of perpetual examination and deliberation has operated in this manner since beginningless kalpas. It constantly clings to the notion of "self," perpetually deliberating on what is most beneficial for the self, how to achieve its own aims, and how to fulfill its own desires. It ceaselessly evaluates all encountered dharmas (phenomena) to determine what to accept and what to reject. After deliberation, it decides on acceptance or rejection and instigates action. However, it requires the six consciousnesses as tools to act; the manas itself cannot act directly. It can only direct the six consciousnesses to create bodily, verbal, and mental karmas, while the eighth consciousness (ālaya-vijñāna) cooperates instant by instant. Only after the manas subdues the clinging to self and is converted into wisdom does its tendency towards self-referential deliberation and weighing diminish. It then ceases to perpetually deliberate and make choices centered solely around its own private interests.