How to Observe the Four Aspects of the Seventh Consciousness

The Dharma of the seventh consciousness generally falls within the scope of the seed-wisdom (种智) of Yogācāra; its principles are extremely profound. One must cultivate to the stage of a bodhisattva on the bhūmis, where both the sixth and seventh consciousnesses have been transformed into wisdom, before one can engage in contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) to directly observe the mental factors (caittas) and the four aspects of the manas. This is very difficult.

To observe the perceiving-aspect, object-aspect, self-cognition (svasaṃvitti), and self-validating cognition (sva-saṃvitti-saṃvitti-bhāga) of the seventh consciousness, one must first realize the seventh consciousness; only then can one observe Him directly. Without the wisdom of transforming consciousness into wisdom, most of the time one can only analyze and infer, and cannot observe through direct perception/valid direct cognition. At this stage, the emphasis is on steeping oneself in these teachings; only bodhisattvas on the bhūmis take direct observation as their primary practice. Only by knowing which dharmas the seventh consciousness corresponds to, where He is, and how He operates, can one observe His four aspects. The self-validating cognition of the manas is the manas's power of introspection, which is even harder to observe—without the seed-wisdom of Yogācāra, don't even think about it.

Observing the eighth consciousness likewise requires first realizing the eighth consciousness. Only after seeing one's true mind/awakening to the true mind and enlightenment, and possessing the wisdom of specific characteristics (viśeṣa-lakṣaṇa), can one directly observe the operation of the eighth consciousness and observe His four aspects. Without realizing the eighth consciousness, one's understanding of it is merely a semblance of understanding, and one cannot observe it.