What are spiritual powers? When do spiritual powers manifest?

The so-called supernatural powers mean that the manas can rely on the tathāgatagarbha to discern all dharmas. However, when the manas discerns dharmas, the mind consciousness does not know them—this is the situation without supernatural powers. If the mind consciousness is in very deep meditative concentration (samādhi), the conscious mind is extremely focused, and its power of discernment is strengthened, it can also discern many of the dharmas that the manas knows. As for how many dharmas the mind consciousness can know, it depends on the strength of the meditative concentration and the height of the wisdom state—that is, on the strength of one's meditative absorption (samādhi).

Why are supernatural powers related to meditative concentration and the manas? The physical body has a very great influence and control over the six consciousnesses. When meditative concentration arises, the influence and control of the physical body over the six consciousnesses will be reduced. When the mind consciousness breaks free from the control of the physical body and is no longer limited by it, it can discern many of the dharmas discerned by the manas, as well as all dharmas. Therefore, the first step for supernatural powers to appear is to subdue the physical body. By passing through the region of the aggregate of form, the conscious mind can avoid being controlled by the physical body; only when the mind departs from its form can supernatural powers appear. The aggregate of form is a kind of obscuring function of the physical body. The five aggregates (pañca-skandha) are a kind of obscuring function. Once one breaks through them, there is no more obscuration, and supernatural powers manifest. "To have a body is a great calamity!"

The aggregate of form also has an obscuring effect on the manas. If the manas regards the physical body as real and firmly grasps onto the physical body, then there will be no meditative concentration, and there will be no supernatural powers either. Only when the manas breaks free from its fetters can the mind consciousness break free from its fetters, and only then are there supernatural powers. When the power of meditative concentration is extremely strong and the wisdom of the manas is also extremely strong, the manas can completely substitute for the six consciousnesses.