The Distinction Between Contemplative Thought and the Designative Terms of Manifest Phenomena

Perception is the perception of consciousness, and conceptual thought is also the conceptual thought of consciousness. Consciousness further possesses the function and capability to manifest the realms of the six dusts (objects of the senses) through written and spoken language. From perception, conceptual thought can arise; from conceptual thought, language and words can be born; with language and words, realms can be expressed and manifested. However, the initial perception is without language and words, and the most subtle perception is also without language and words. Conceptual thought with language and words is relatively coarse and superficial, lacking refinement. When consciousness is without language and words, perception, or conceptual thought, this state is extremely difficult to distinguish from the state of manas (the mind faculty) without language and words; the two blend indistinguishably, almost impossible to tell apart.