Manas - Verse Twenty One

As shadow follows form,
manas always follows store.
It is a misguided attempt to survive,
craving for continuation and blind satisfaction.

Sometimes we are hurt by others. Sometimes we feel we are being exploited or taken for granted. Such experiences strengthen the seeds of delusion that guide manas. Manas becomes more protective. Since it does not want the perceiver to experience unpleasant feelings it makes us act in a manner that is selfish.

Sensing that poverty, lack of power, unpopularity etc. are unpleasant feelings it encourages us to adopt ways to acquire wealth, fame, power etc. In the process, we may act in a manner that may hurt others.

Manas follows the perceiver portion of the store consciousness and latches on to every seed that manifests. Due to this reason, we consistently experience anger, hurt, frustration, helplessness etc. Whenever someone criticizes us or takes advantage of our generosity, we become very upset. This is because of manas' blind devotion to what it perceives as an independent self.

The concept of an independent self comes with desires of greater material ownership. Manas, when unaware of the interbeing nature of reality, craves for more wealth, power, fame etc. If we observe carefully we will find that this leads to more unpleasantness than joy. We keep thinking about how we are being treated and what we do not possess.

A deluded manas feels that if we do not act selfishly, we will come to harm. By clinging to the perceiver portion of the store consciousness, manas hopes for continuity and sensual satisfaction.

Such thinking has led to deep rooted habits in us that are difficult to transform. However, with perseverance and diligence, it is possible to truly realize the interbeing nature of reality.

(Based on the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh.)

#विज्ञप्तिमात्र #Vijñaptimātra #VijñaptimatraBuddhism #ThichNhatHanh #Vasubandhu #50Verses #50VersesOnVijñaptimātra #Vimshatika #Trimshika #VimshatikaKarika #TrimshikaKarika #Asanga #Yogacāra #Yogacara #ManifestationOnly #Vigyaptimatra #Xuanzang #India #Linji #Rinzai #Zen #Bodhidharma #Hinduism #Buddhism #Buddha #Mahayana  #Prajñapāramitā #Vijnaptimatra #IndianBuddhism #IndianPhilosophy #UttarPradesh #StoreConsciousness #Alayavijñana #Manas