Consciousness Serves Manas

When the manas desires to drink water, the six consciousnesses will manifest to boil water, pour it, brew tea, and then deliver it to the mouth; when the manas does not desire to drink water, the six consciousnesses will not manifest to perform any of these actions. Consciousness is eternally less significant than manas and can never assume the role of the master, because consciousness is a dharma that is produced—its arising or non-arising is determined by manas. It holds a subordinate position, serving the manas, and moreover, must serve it well. If the service is inadequate, the manas becomes uncomfortable and may become agitated. When the manas truly becomes agitated, consciousness sometimes feels perplexed. Consciousness is more rational than manas, yet manas is more prone to emotionality than consciousness. If the manas wishes to hear a certain sound, consciousness must obey the command of the manas to come and differentiate that sound. When the manas wants the six consciousnesses to manifest, they immediately manifest; when the manas does not want the six consciousnesses to manifest, they do not manifest; when the manas wants the six consciousnesses to function in a certain way, they must function precisely as directed.