The Power of Manas

As practice deepens progressively, when meditative concentration (samādhi) and wisdom become increasingly complete, the manas will gradually grow strong. The sign of the manas becoming strong is the transformation of consciousness into wisdom—the transformation of the mental factors (caittas). The strength of the manas represents the strength of the mental factors; when the mental factors are strong, the manas becomes strong, invincible and irresistible, fully endowed with the five universal mental factors, the five particular mental factors, and the eleven wholesome mental factors, while the afflictive mental factors have long been completely eradicated—though perhaps some extremely subtle afflictive habits may remain, along with some slight attachment to dharmas. When the manas grows strong to a certain point, it will replace the six consciousnesses, and without needing the supporting conditions of the six consciousnesses, it can on its own discern the realms of the six sense objects—both coarse and subtle pose no problem. At this time, great supernatural powers will manifest.