How Mental Contemplation and Mind Listening Are Accomplished

When reciting mantras mentally without vocalizing, the sound dust does not exist. The mantras recited in the mind belong to the dharma dust, which is the image-only realm, solely discerned by the isolated mental consciousness, without involving the ear consciousness. Since there is no sound dust, the ear consciousness does not arise. When the isolated mental consciousness discerns, it is called mental listening, and the recitation is also performed by the isolated mental consciousness alone.

However, during mantra recitation, the will acts as the master directing the recitation, with the will guiding the mental consciousness to recite. The will also acts as the master directing the mental consciousness to listen, with the will guiding the mental consciousness to listen. In this process, the eighth consciousness diligently provides all necessary support and services. Thus, the three consciousnesses together accomplish mental recitation and mental listening.