The Function of Mental Power

Why can those adept in meditation heal illnesses through mere mental intention? Is it a direct communication between the Eighth Consciousnesses? Mental power primarily stems from the volitional force of the Manas (the seventh consciousness), and secondarily from the force of the Mano-consciousness (the sixth consciousness). When the volitional force of the Manas is strong, the mental power is potent, and the will is resolute, the Eighth Consciousness (Alaya-vijnana) cooperates, complying with the volitional force of the Manas to realize its thoughts, desires, and wishes. For the volitional force of the Manas to become powerful, one must attain meditative concentration (dhyana), enabling the Manas to focus all its energy entirely on one point. Only then can its influence become potent, compelling the Eighth Consciousness to comply with its mind and fulfill its wishes.

If one intends to kill with the mind, it can indeed kill a person. Killing through mental intent constitutes the karmic offense of killing, bearing negative retribution. If one intends to save a person with the mind, it can revive them, constituting wholesome karma, bearing positive retribution. If one intends to change another person with the mind, it can transform them, bearing corresponding karmic results. One must never provoke individuals with exceptionally powerful mental force; it is best to accommodate them whenever possible. If provoked, such a person need not even move their eyes, and you will suffer misfortune without understanding why. Such an individual can match the strength of ten thousand or a hundred thousand, equivalent to the power of an entire army. Powerful mental force arises either from accumulated merit and virtue (punya), meditative concentration power (dhyana-bala), or wisdom power (prajna-bala). Spiritual practice means relying primarily on oneself, with Buddhas and Bodhisattvas as aids. By believing in one's own power and gradually reducing dependency, one will gradually grow stronger.