On the Contemplation of Consciousness

The objects of consciousness include dharmas of solitary appearance and dharmas that manifest simultaneously with the five sense objects. The recollections, delusions, fantasies, and so forth that are objects of the solitary head consciousness all belong to the realm of solitary appearance, where it is relatively easy to observe and discern them as illusory shadows. However, when the eye perceives form and consciousness observes the dharmas, it is not so easy to recognize them as shadows.

Consciousness perceives everything as illusory and unreal, so why does it still follow along with states when encountering them, being swayed by circumstances? This is because, when consciousness first begins contemplative practice, the depth and breadth of contemplation are insufficient, its scope is relatively narrow, and various dharmas cannot be coherently connected. Consequently, it cannot effectively influence and drive the manas. The contemplative practice of consciousness has not yet gained the recognition of the manas, nor has it penetrated deeply into the mind of the manas. The underlying concepts of the manas remain unchanged, so that when encountering a state and needing to make a decision, the manas still takes the state as real, takes charge, and directs consciousness to treat the state as real.