Effects of Immovable Awareness Observation

The manas (mind root) never sleeps. When the six consciousnesses cease, the concepts of sleeping and not sleeping become irrelevant. So who is it that sleeps? Contemplating this question aligns with the practice of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness taught by the Buddha—it is the same method of diligent practice. Simply observe, observe directly without engaging any conceptual thinking, and direct perception and realization will naturally arise. The view of self will then be severed spontaneously. Once conceptual thinking by the mental consciousness is activated, perception changes, the state of direct perception vanishes, and the result becomes distant and unreal.

The formless is emptiness; the formed is also emptiness. Thus, emptiness does not mean forcibly eliminating forms; rather, it is seeing forms as emptiness right in the present moment. Fully penetrating these dharmas, with wisdom flowing freely, is to attain Buddhahood. To penetrate these dharmas, conceptual thinking by the mental consciousness is absolutely inadequate—the more one thinks, the further one strays from the path, and the more the state of direct perception fades. One must use the manas to perceive directly, to make direct contact, and only then can direct realization occur. One must personally experience it, personally go through it, to personally feel it. "Personally" means the manas itself directly, without the mental consciousness acting as a substitute.

What is heard by the mental consciousness is one level; what is directly observed is another level; what is personally contacted and realized is yet another level. The sensations at each level are entirely different, and the physical and mental responses are worlds apart. What is heard by the mental consciousness—what does that amount to, really?

Jun Ruolan: Today, upon reading the master’s words, I tried to stop thinking and simply observe the people and things around me. With awareness present, I felt a deep inner stillness. At that moment, the master’s words became my own direct observation. When I speak these words in the future, they will no longer be entirely learned from others.

Commentary: This state resembles a single thought not arising. Although the conceptual thinking of the mental consciousness has ceased, the non-thinking, non-moving, quiet consciousness is still aware and observing—it remains within the awareness and observation of the mental consciousness. It is not the direct perception and observation by the manas. The direct observation by the manas must occur within meditative concentration, in a state of single-minded focus. By clearly recognizing the various states of the mental consciousness, one can distinguish between the mental consciousness and the manas. Only by discerning the distinct characteristics and natures of the mental consciousness and the manas can one correctly judge whether one's awareness and perception stem from the mental consciousness or the manas.

Understanding based on learned doctrines is still not realization. Since it is not realization, it is not entirely drawn from one's own inner depth. Although there may be direct observation, this observational wisdom exists at many levels. The highest level can reach direct realization; before that, it is not entirely one's own wisdom and still contains an element of learned imitation.