The Power of the Manas

As practice deepens and meditative concentration (samādhi) and wisdom become increasingly complete, the manas will gradually grow strong. The hallmark of a strong manas 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 powerful and invincible. The five universal mental factors and the five object-specific mental factors, along with the eleven wholesome mental factors, are all present, 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 degree, it will replace the six consciousnesses; without needing the assisting conditions of the six consciousnesses, it can on its own discern the objects of the six sense-objects, whether coarse or subtle—neither poses any problem. At this point, great supernatural powers will manifest.