Which Mental Formation Is Effective?

When practicing Qigong, the mental guidance of qi, the circulation of qi, the gathering of qi, and the application of qi are all functions of the mental activity of the manas (the seventh consciousness). The manas directs the mind to gather qi at the Laogong point (Pericardium 8) in the palm. Once the qi becomes sufficiently potent, the mind then directs the extension of the hand to project the qi outward. For those whose skill is advanced, mountains crumble, walls collapse, trains halt, and cars reverse—this is purely the effect of Qigong. However, whether it's Qigong or any other practice, it all fundamentally involves training the power of thought within the manas. Strong thought yields strong mental power; strong qi yields potent energy. Once achieved, one can act as one wishes, becoming invincible.

Some might argue that the manas itself does not generate thoughts, that all thoughts belong to the mano-vijñāna (the sixth consciousness, the thinking mind). Well then, try using your conscious thought: would the Tathāgatagarbha (Buddha-nature) heed or manage you? Would your thoughts be effective? Could they produce any actual result? Qigong based on conscious thought accomplishes nothing; it is utterly useless—mere flashy but useless moves, mere decoration, mere playacting.

Qi follows thought; it follows the thought of the manas, not the thought of the mano-vijñāna. Otherwise, since everyone can use conscious thought, why are there so few who truly master Qigong, and why does it require such prolonged practice to succeed? The reason it takes so long is precisely because it involves training the manas using the mano-vijñāna. The mano-vijñāna is easy to train; the manas is not. The primary difference among sentient beings lies precisely in the manas. Everyone can think and generate thoughts with their mano-vijñāna, but it is ultimately ineffective.