The Reasoning of Consciousness Is Not Equivalent to Contemplative Observation and Profound Inquiry

When practicing meditation by observing the breath, the conscious mind should solely focus on observing the breath, knowing the inhalation and exhalation, and knowing the length of the breath, without adding an intention to inquire about the source of this knowing. Do not concern yourself with what the ultimate result of this knowing might be; that is a matter for the future. Since the result has not yet manifested, do not speculate. The reasoning of the conscious mind is merely its wishful thinking, and wishful thinking can never solve problems. Only when there is mutual agreement between the conscious mind and the manas can matters be perfectly resolved in unison, and only then will the final result appear as it truly is. That is what is called realization.

The reasoning of the conscious mind is not necessarily bad, but it is merely a road sign. Whether one actually walks the path and how one walks it still depends on the choice of the manas. If the manas does not make a choice, no matter how the conscious mind points the way, it is useless. Sometimes, without the conscious mind reasoning, problems can still be smoothly resolved, whereas reasoning may actually cause delays. If the direction is correct, proceeding without reasoning may be faster and more stable. Using the conscious mind too much is not beneficial; the more the conscious mind is used, the more incompetent the manas becomes. If the manas is incompetent, it means the entire person is incompetent. If the operating and command system is flawed, how can you operate?

Cultivation is something fools do; if one is too clever, one will not do things earnestly and steadfastly. Let the conscious mind point out the general direction, then close your eyes and rest, supervising covertly—do not interfere too much. Once the manas, relying on its own ability, moves forward and reaches the destination, its capability becomes immensely powerful. If it is dragged along by the conscious mind, the manas becomes weak and incompetent, incapable of accomplishing any significant task.

The reasoning of the conscious mind is essentially delusion. Delusion means not seeing the truth; once seen, it is no longer called delusion. Some people, through the delusion of the conscious mind, fabricate an eighth consciousness that functions in a certain way somewhere, then define this as "enlightenment through realizing the mind," claiming that there is no need to sever afflictions or cultivate meditative concentration—merely achieving a few minutes or ten minutes of mental stability is sufficient to witness the truth. The consequences of such an approach should be evident to everyone. If this could be considered enlightenment, then dreaming about it should also count. If one dreams of mountains of gold and silver, one should wake up immensely wealthy. After all, dreams are not reality, not facts. How can the speculations and various actions of the isolated conscious mind be taken seriously? To attain great wisdom, genuine wisdom, one must earnestly cultivate meditative observation and investigation, not let the conscious mind flexibly deduce results. If the manas does not acknowledge that result, all the efforts of the conscious mind are in vain.