The More Ultimate the Method, the Harder It Is to Cultivate.

In the contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) of the five aggregates for eradicating the view of self (satkāya-dṛṣṭi), the manas is one of the six faculties, and one must also contemplate its selfless nature in order to eradicate the view of self and realize the fruit. The Buddha taught us the method for contemplating the manas in the Śūraṅgama Sūtra; it is most ultimate and thorough, only it is very difficult. The more ultimate the method, the harder it is to practice; the simpler the method, the more expedient it is, and the less ultimate. Therefore, those who have the capability should not covet what is cheap, quick, and effortless, and should not fear paying worldly costs; the reward is what matters most and is most valuable. However good worldly dharmas may be, they are still suffering; to cast away suffering in exchange for a treasure that never perishes—what is there not to rejoice in? Now a very serious problem has arisen: the manas is one of the five aggregates and eighteen realms, so in contemplative practice one must also contemplate the manas completely and thoroughly to bring out its illusory and selfless nature. Most people cannot contemplate the manas, or rather, the vast majority—or almost everyone—cannot contemplate it. How, then, can they eradicate the view of self? All those many people who claim to have eradicated the view of self and realized the fruit—how did they eradicate the view of self regarding the manas?