How to Change the Habits of the Manas

The manas has been accustomed to eating since beginningless kalpas, accustomed to eating at fixed times and in fixed amounts, and accustomed to eating delicious food. If one wants the manas to fast and abstain from grains, changing the manas's eating habits, one must reduce food intake little by little; one cannot cut off food all at once. One must give the manas a period of adaptation, allowing Him to be mentally prepared. Once the manas has adapted to a small amount of food, then cut off food entirely; only then will He not resist or oppose. Even if one does not eat for seven days, half a month, or one or two months, neither body nor mind will develop problems; one may even be full of vigor and energy.

The manas's habitual tendencies are so deep and subtle that they are difficult to perceive. He is overly attached to familiar people, matters, objects, and principles. Only by step by step, imperceptibly shifting His habits and lightening His habits can one imperceptibly change His habits and lessen attachment.

The same method can also be used to cultivate the pratyutpanna-samādhi (the meditative absorption of standing in constant mindfulness), achieving ninety days without sleeping, lying down, or sitting, changing the manas's habit of sleeping and sitting, being diligent at all times in the recollection of the Buddha (buddhānusmṛti), transforming body and mind, and resonating with the Buddha, thereby seeing the mind and attaining enlightenment. In cultivation, first begin by practicing one day and one night without sleeping, lying down, or sitting; then practice three days and three nights without sleeping, lying down, or sitting. Once adapted, then practice seven days and seven nights, followed in sequence by twenty-one days and nights, and forty-nine days and nights. Finally, ninety days without sleeping, lying down, or sitting can be sustained, because the mind is engaged in the recollection of the Buddha with single-minded focus and no second thought, and with the Buddha's power blessing and supporting, one can persist until seeing the mind and realizing enlightenment.