Only by Cultivating to the Manas Can the Fundamental Problem Be Resolved

When one has attained mirage contemplation, upon encountering any state or circumstance, there is no need to deliberate at all—one simply passes through it directly. When one has truly eliminated self-view (ātma-dṛṣṭi), and when meditative concentration is sufficient, there is likewise no need to deliberate; one directly lets the state pass through as empty, and will not take these so-called states seriously. As for those with merely intellectual understanding/interpretive awakening, due to a lack of meditative concentration, coupled with arrogance, when they encounter states, their afflictions may be even heavier than those of ordinary beings.

It is evident that realization by the manas and intellectual understanding by the mind consciousness cannot be mentioned in the same breath. The gap between having meditative concentration and lacking it is considerable. What does actual practice actually cultivate? We should know. When one has genuinely realized any dharma and possesses the power of meditative concentration, no problem is a problem, and no matter is a matter. But once meditative concentration is lost, it is hard to say—the flood may burst the dam and wash away the embankment of afflictions.

Whether one has cultivated or not is seen from one's actions, not from the words of one's mouth. Words may sound lofty and grand, while one's conduct may be base and lowly—such is the magnitude of the gap. Language and writing correspond to the mind consciousness, and this does not represent practice; conduct corresponds directly to the manas, and only this represents practice. Therefore, practice means cultivating the manas; when cultivation has not reached the manas, it is not true practice. All views and knowledge are powerless before even slightly greater afflictions, and especially before birth-and-death. Views and knowledge simply cannot withstand afflictions, let alone birth-and-death.