How to Locate the Mind Base

When we engage in "I...I...I," when the mind perceives "I...I...I," seek the so-called "I" of manas (the mental faculty) right there. This "I" encompasses both the "I" of consciousness (vijñāna) and the "I" of manas. By separating their intrinsic natures, one can find the "I" of manas, which is deeply hidden, very stubborn, decisive, and not easily persuaded—this is the "I" of manas. This is seeking and realizing manas at its functional locus. When you perceive "I...I...I," you can reflect right there, though this is quite difficult.

Reflect here on which is the "I" of manas. When you say "I," this "I" includes the "I" perceived by the sixth consciousness (mano-vijñāna) and the "I" perceived by manas. Only after separating these two can you realize this "I" of manas, though it is somewhat difficult. It is quicker and easier to seek the one that constantly exercises mastery—the "I want to do this," "I want to do that"—the mind that makes decisions and asserts mastery at that moment is manas. Seeking it this way is faster and simpler.

Another optimal time to realize manas is during sudden events. Observe your own reaction when an unexpected incident occurs. When a sudden event happens, you react immediately without thinking. The mind that makes the decision during that reaction is manas—seek it there. The more sudden the event and the faster your response, the more clearly it is manas. Because the conscious mind (vijñāna) has no time to react or think; it is entirely manas making decisions based on its habitual tendencies and inertia accumulated since beginningless time, then immediately causing the six consciousnesses to generate bodily, verbal, and mental actions—all very rapidly.

For example, when something suddenly flies towards you from outside and is about to hit you, you cleverly dodge it instantly, without time for thought. The mind that decides to dodge is manas. Since beginningless time, it has clung to the body as "I" and constantly attended to the physical self (rūpakāya). It knows the condition of the physical body and circumstances related to it. When encountering a sudden event, it makes the body dodge immediately to avoid any harm or danger. This decision to urgently dodge is manas.

Or, when boiling water at home, if suddenly scalded on the body or hand, you immediately flick your hand away—the one making this decision is manas. Because the conscious mind has no time to react; the sudden contact of the hot tactile object with the body occurs too quickly for consciousness to perceive. It might sense the heat but has no time to consider what is happening. Manas decides to immediately avoid it by flicking the hand or decides how to handle the situation, causing the body to react swiftly. This is manas' decision. Only after flicking the hand do you feel sensations—perhaps a bit of fear or pain—this subsequent reaction is the conscious mind's response.

Separate the two intrinsic natures of manas and consciousness (vijñāna). Once separated, manas becomes easier to find. As for the eight consciousnesses, separate each consciousness, dismantling them into individual consciousnesses. By observing the functioning of each consciousness, you can understand the functional nature of each. After separating and identifying all seven consciousnesses, the remaining one is the eighth consciousness (ālaya-vijñāna). Observing the eight consciousnesses in this way leads to swift and direct realization. Observing and contemplating the illusory nature of the five aggregates (skandhas) follows the same principle: separate the activities of the five aggregates, observing each aggregate individually. Once the functional nature of each aggregate is understood, you can observe the arising, ceasing, and variability of a particular aggregate, thereby knowing it is impermanent, illusory, and devoid of self.

Separate the two intrinsic natures of manas and consciousness. Once separated, manas becomes easier to find. As for the eight consciousnesses, separate each consciousness, dismantling them into individual consciousnesses. By observing the functioning of each consciousness, you can understand the functional nature of each. After separating and identifying all seven consciousnesses, the remaining one is the eighth consciousness. Observing the eight consciousnesses in this way leads to swift and direct realization. Observing and contemplating the illusory nature of the five aggregates follows the same principle: separate the activities of the five aggregates, observing each aggregate individually. Once the functional nature of each aggregate is understood, you can observe the arising, ceasing, and variability of a particular aggregate, thereby knowing it is impermanent, illusory, and devoid of self.