The Importance of Manas Samādhi

Being able to read, contemplate, and work with single-minded focus is all a matter of the mind consciousness's meditative concentration (samādhi). But if the manas has no interest in it, is not concentrated on reading and working, and does not attentively focus on the content of the book, can the mind consciousness still be concentrated? Absolutely impossible. If the manas is not concentrated, the six consciousnesses cannot hope to be concentrated either; the six consciousnesses will inevitably be scattered and restless like a monkey. Even though the mind consciousness keeps attentively focusing, it is of no use—it will still be dragged around everywhere by the manas. Therefore, subduing the manas is the absolutely crucial point of cultivation. Hearing, contemplation, practice, and realization must all be implemented upon the manas; only then will one's efforts not be in vain, and there will surely be results and karmic retribution.