Which mind's intention is effective?

When practicing qigong, using intention to guide the qi, move the qi, gather the qi, and employ the qi—all of this is the intention of the manas. When the manas intends for the qi to gather at the Laogong acupoint in the palm, and once the qi becomes strong to a certain degree, one then intends to extend the hand and strike the qi outward. For those whose skill has matured, mountains crumble and walls collapse, trains come to a halt, and cars move in reverse—this is purely qigong. But whether it is qigong or any other kind of gong, it is all a matter of training the power of intention (smṛti) of the manas. When the intention is strong, the mental power is strong; when the qi is strong, the energy is strong; then one can do as one pleases and sweep away all opposition.

Someone might say: the manas has no intention; it is all the mind consciousness that intends. Very well then, you try intending with your mind consciousness—does the tathāgatagarbha take notice of you or heed you? Is your intention of any use? Can it bring about any effect? As for qigong practiced with the intention of the mind consciousness, there is no gong of any kind, no effect whatsoever—it is flowery fists and embroidered legs, mere decoration, mere playacting.

The qi follows the intention—it follows the intention of the manas, not the intention of the mind consciousness. Otherwise, everyone's mind consciousness could intend, yet very few people succeed in mastering qi, and it takes a considerably long time of practice to succeed. Why does it take such a long time? Because it is the mind consciousness training the manas: it is easy for the mind consciousness, but not easy for the manas. The main difference among sentient beings lies in the manas. All mind consciousnesses can think and can intend, but it is of no use.