What Is Samadhi-Prajna Equipoise?

Is there thinking within contemplation? If there is no thinking within contemplation, then nothing can be discerned. During contemplation, consciousness involves thinking, and the manas involves thinking even more. The manas certainly engages in thinking, and it does so with greater concentration, free from the disturbances of consciousness. Only at this point is it possible for wisdom to arise, leading to new realizations. The thinking of surface consciousness serves as a prelude, intended to elicit the subsequent thinking of the manas. It is the thinking of the manas that holds decisive significance, capable of resolving major issues and attaining realization.

Therefore, during moments when not a single thought arises and the mind is devoid of mental formations, although consciousness may be without thought, the manas is most diligent, with mental activities in motion, applying great effort. It may be in a momentary lapse that an idea emerges, a strategy surfaces—this is produced by the manas. This is deep contemplation, true deep contemplation. The deep contemplation of consciousness can elicit the deep contemplation of the manas. Without meditative stability, or with insufficient concentration, one cannot enable the manas to engage in deep contemplation, and even the deep contemplation of consciousness becomes difficult. How, then, can wisdom arise? The deep contemplation of the manas is called the equipoise of concentration and wisdom, capable of giving rise to various samādhis.