Only After Manas Attains Adhimokṣa Can Perfuming Occur

To sufficiently influence and guide the manas, the consciousness must diligently contemplate; without contemplation and observation, it is impossible to truly guide the manas.

If the manas lacks firm conviction, can the contemplation, observation, and understanding of consciousness guide it? Can the manas be influenced? Obviously not. No matter how much the consciousness exerts itself, if the manas remains unconvinced, the performance of consciousness is utterly futile. Therefore, whenever the manas is affected, it signifies that it has been influenced and has attained firm conviction in the information conveyed by consciousness.

If the manas lacks firm conviction, no information conveyed by consciousness will be of any use. Consequently, the manas will no longer decide to let consciousness assist it in discerning phenomena, for even after discernment, the manas remains uncomprehending and thus refrains from deciding to discern. Gradually, the manas will grow quiescent, like one who is blind, deaf, and mute. In reality, the manas greatly prefers to have consciousness discern and differentiate phenomena, then report back, precisely because it has attained firm conviction in the discerned content of consciousness. This is why it continually urges consciousness to discern, differentiate, contemplate, and judge.