The Power of Meditative Concentration and the Supernatural Power of Magical Emanation

When practicing the supernormal power of psychic transformation (ṛddhi-vidyā), sit cross-legged on the seat and use the mind consciousness to contemplate the body rising one inch off the seat. When meditative concentration is sufficient, the body can rise one inch off the seat; this is called "lifting the body with the mind." But is it the mind consciousness that takes charge and lifts this body? It is not the mind consciousness—no matter how the mind consciousness thinks, it is useless; only when the manas also wants to do this can it possibly take charge and lift the body. So while the mind consciousness is contemplating, the manas is simultaneously also exerting effort, wanting to lift the body up.

When there is no power of meditative concentration, the manas is also willing to take charge and make the body fly up, so why can it not fly? Because without dhyāna or with insufficient power of concentration, the mental power of the manas is insufficient, its strength is not great, and the tathāgatagarbha cannot help. The difference in the manas's performance, and the difference in its strength, between having concentration and not having concentration is so great precisely because, when there is no concentration, the manas's power is not full. In profound dhyāna, the seeds of the manas flow forth in a concentrated way, so its power of decision and power of deliberation (manasikāra) are great, and thus whatever is thought of can be accomplished.