The Fastest Method to Illuminate Manas for Clear Understanding

The most expedient method to subdue and transform the mental faculty (manas) and enable it to comprehend principles is for the consciousness (mano-vijñāna) to grasp the general idea of the principle, then, within meditative concentration (dhyāna), suspend these principles in the mind without actively thinking about them. Simply observe and hold them there calmly, and gradually, understanding will dawn, or it may arise suddenly. This is the result of allowing the mental faculty alone to contemplate. This method is extremely effective; I often use it myself, preferring it over the superficial analysis and study conducted by the consciousness.

The thoughts suspended in the heart and mind represent a doubt or question. Any unresolved problem can be placed before the mental faculty for it to contemplate. The consciousness can either cooperate, or refrain from causing disturbance or interference, or simply carry on with daily trivialities as usual. As for when the mental faculty will provide an answer, that depends on the inherent wisdom of the mental faculty itself, the depth of meditative concentration, and the degree of cooperation from the consciousness.

The method of suspending thoughts in the mind is the same method of Chan (Zen) investigation (gong'an / kōan practice) commonly used by the Chan patriarchs of the past. For people in the present world who lack meditative concentration, it is comparatively difficult to practice. Initially, one often feels unable to find the entrance, feeling at a loss where to begin. It requires continuous personal reflection and repeated experimentation. Once the method is mastered and one gains entry, it becomes much easier. Thereafter, when encountering difficult problems, one can use this method to resolve them fundamentally. Many principles seem understood but are not truly grasped; this is essentially because the mental faculty does not understand, even though the consciousness may grasp them to some degree. By calming down and giving the mental faculty time and energy to deliberate, the resulting understanding will be quite satisfactory and free from doubt. This requires the consciousness to have a general direction of thought and a slight preliminary understanding of the principle. For those with both meditative concentration (samādhi) and wisdom (prajñā), even if the consciousness does not understand, simply suspending the question deep within the mind will lead to understanding before long.

Without meditative concentration, contemplation is almost entirely carried out by the consciousness, and the mental faculty cannot exert its strength. Such contemplation is generally superficial and lacks depth. Modern people, being generally deficient in meditative concentration, have very few who know how to practice Chan investigation. However, some individuals who have never practiced Chan investigation have attained awakening, and some who have never cultivated the Thirty-Seven Factors of Enlightenment, the Seven Factors of Enlightenment, or the Four Foundations of Mindfulness have still severed the view of self and attained the fruits of the Path. Taking such opportunistic shortcuts is like entering through the back door; the greatest loss is to oneself, and the greatest suffering in the future will still be one's own. This is a case where the gains do not outweigh the losses.