How to Transform the Habitual Patterns of Manas

The manas has been accustomed to eating and drinking since beginningless kalpas, accustomed to regular and measured meals, and accustomed to delicious food and drink. If one wishes to have the manas abstain from food for fasting, changing its dietary habits, one must gradually reduce food intake rather than cutting it off abruptly. It is necessary to give the manas an adaptation period, allowing it to prepare psychologically. Only when the manas adapts to reduced food intake can one then cease eating entirely. Only then will it not resist or oppose. Even after seven days without eating, half a month without eating, or one or two months without eating, the body and mind will not experience problems; instead, one may even feel spiritually vigorous.

The habits of the manas are too deep, subtle, and difficult to detect. It becomes overly attached to familiar people, matters, and objects. Only by step-by-step, imperceptibly shifting its habits and lessening its attachments can one gradually alter its habits and reduce its clinging.

Using the same method, one can also cultivate the samadhi of the boat, achieving the state of neither sleeping, lying down, nor sitting for ninety days. This changes the manas’ habits of sleeping, lying down, and sitting, enabling one to diligently recite the Buddha’s name at all times, transform the body and mind, and resonate with the Buddha, thereby attaining enlightenment and realization. During practice, begin by training for one day and one night without sleeping, lying down, or sitting. Then cultivate for three days and three nights without sleeping, lying down, or sitting. Once accustomed, practice for seven days and seven nights, followed by twenty-one days and nights, then forty-nine days and nights. Finally, one will be able to endure ninety days without sleeping, lying down, or sitting. Because the mind is reciting the Buddha’s name with single-minded focus, free from distraction, and with the blessing of the Buddha’s power, one can persevere until the mind is enlightened and realization is attained.