How to Successfully Cultivate the Manas

Cultivating the manas (mind faculty) involves leading it to recognize a correct, true, and Dharma-aligned principle. This process of cultivation is akin to solving a mathematical proof. We repeatedly analyze and simplify the underlying principle of a problem; this act of analysis is the process of providing evidence to the manas, cultivating the manas, and enabling the manas to comprehend. When the evidence is conclusive, the manas is convinced, and ultimately, the manas realizes this principle, acknowledging the correctness of the problem. This is similar to starting from known conditions, combining known theorems, adding rigorous logical reasoning, and finally arriving at a firm, unshakeable conclusion – this is realization (proof). This process is the process of seeking realization (proof). Realization is also called seeking realization; "seeking" means to investigate and deduce, which is the function of consciousness, supported and cooperated with by the manas in the background. "Realization" means to attain realization, to understand, to comprehend clearly.

The issue now is that while we know the conclusion – that the five aggregates and the eighteen dhatus (realms) are all empty and not-self – the manas does not understand or accept it. Therefore, we must find a way to prove it to the manas. For every fraction of proof provided, the manas becomes subdued by that fraction, purified by that fraction, and gains benefit by that fraction. Each step brings us closer to the Great Way. This is the principle of spiritual practice. The Buddha gave us the conclusion, which is the truth. We must then find a way to prove the correctness of this conclusion and truth, and thereby we ourselves attain the truth, gain great wisdom, and can achieve great liberation.

If, during spiritual practice, the body and mind do not change, it indicates that consciousness has not presented the evidence to the manas. The manas does not accept it and thus clings to the body and mind, preventing their liberation. Therefore, whether the process of proving things in one's own practice is effective, whether the evidence is sufficient, can be seen by whether the body and mind have changed, whether one can overcome afflictive situations, whether the mind has become even a little purer, and whether there is cognitive understanding born of wisdom. If not, it means the proof is inadequate, the practice has not succeeded, and what one has mastered is merely theory, not actual realization. To verify whether the view of self has been severed and whether the original mind and true nature have been seen, the transformation of the body-mind world is one standard. Whether it is intellectual understanding or actual realization also uses this as a standard.