The Power of Manas

As the practice deepens and concentration and wisdom become increasingly complete, the mental faculty (manas) gradually grows stronger. The sign of a strong mental faculty is the transformation of consciousness into wisdom, accompanied by a shift in the mental factors (caittas). The strength of the mental faculty signifies the strength of the mental factors; when the mental factors are strong, the mental faculty becomes strong and invincible, fully endowed with the five omnipresent mental factors, the five object-determining mental factors, and the eleven wholesome mental factors. The unwholesome mental factors have long been completely eradicated, though perhaps some very subtle habitual afflictions and minor clinging to dharmas remain. When the mental faculty becomes sufficiently strong, it will supersede the six consciousnesses, no longer requiring their support. It can independently perceive the objects of the six senses, whether coarse or subtle, without any difficulty. At this stage, great supernatural powers will manifest.