SN51.20 — Vibhaṅgasutta
Disciples, there are these four bases of power, when developed and cultivated, are of great fruit and great benefit.
And how are these four bases of power developed and cultivated to be of great fruit and great benefit?
Here a disciple develops the base of power that is endowed with the desire for concentration and the effort for concentration:
My desire will not be too slack, nor too tense, nor will it be constricted internally, nor will it be scattered externally.
And he dwells perceiving the before and after:
just as before, so after; just as after, so before;
just as below, so above, just as above, so below;
just as by day, so by night, just as by night, so by day.
Thus with a mind that is open, unenveloped, luminous, he cultivates the mind.
Energy concentration...
Mind concentration...
Investigation concentration, endowed with the desire for concentration and the effort for concentration:
My investigation will not be too slack, nor too tense, nor will it be constricted internally, nor will it be scattered externally.
And he dwells perceiving the before and after...
A disciple dwells contemplating (the nature of) arising in the body, ardent, clearly knowing, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
When a disciple's perception of the past and future is well-grasped, well-attended, well-penetrated, and well-discerned with wisdom, they dwell with the perception of past and future as follows: Just as in the past, so in the future; just as in the future, so in the past.
And how does a disciple dwell as if above and below, as if below and above? Here, a disciple contemplates this very body from the soles of the feet upward and from the top of the head downward, surrounded by skin and full of various kinds of impurity: In this body, there are head hairs, body hairs, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, bone marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, diaphragm, spleen, lungs, intestines, mesentery, contents of the stomach, feces, bile, phlegm, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, grease, saliva, snot, synovial fluid, urine.
Thus a disciple dwells as if above and below, as if below and above. And how does a disciple dwell as if by day and by night, as if by night and by day? Here, a disciple develops the base of psychic power that is endowed with concentration due to enthusiasm and mind imbued with various signs and features by day.
He develops the basis of psychic power that is endowed with concentration due to enthusiasm, concentration due to effort, concentration due to intent, and concentration due to discrimination.
Or he develops the basis of psychic power that is endowed with concentration due to enthusiasm, concentration due to effort, concentration due to intent, and concentration due to discrimination during the day.
Thus a disciple dwells by day as by night, and by night as by day.
And how does a disciple develop a mind that is open, unenveloped, freely shining?
Here a disciple's perception of light is well established, while his perception of day is firmly rooted.
Thus a disciple develops a mind that is open, unenveloped, freely shining.
And what is excessive energy?
Disciples, energy that is associated with laziness, conjoined with laziness: this is called excessive energy.
And what is restrained energy?
Disciples, energy that is associated with restlessness, conjoined with restlessness: this is called restrained energy.
Effort.
And what is internal effort that is constricted?
Disciples, the effort that is constricted due to laziness and lethargy: this is called internal effort that is constricted.
And what is external effort that is scattered?
Disciples, the effort that is scattered externally, fixated and obsessed with the five cords of sensual pleasure: this is called external effort that is scattered...
And how does a disciple develop a mind that is open, unenveloped, and luminous?
Here a disciple's perception of light is well established, his perception of day is well established.
Thus a disciple develops a mind that is open, unenveloped, and luminous.
And what is a distracted mind?
Disciples, a mind that is associated with laziness and lethargy: this is called a distracted mind.
And what is an agitated mind?
Disciples, a mind that is associated with restlessness and agitation: this is called an agitated mind.
And what is a constricted mind...
What is it that the mind is sluggish and sluggish associated with?
This is called internally constrained mind.
And what is a distracted mind externally?
This is a mind externally scattered and diffused due to the five cords of sensual pleasure: this is called externally distracted mind...
Thus a disciple develops a mind that is open, unburdened, radiant.
And what is excessive speculation?
Speculation associated with laziness, associated with laziness: this is called excessive speculation.
And what is overestimation speculation?
Speculation associated with restlessness, associated with restlessness: this is called overestimation speculation.
And what is internally constrained speculation?
Speculation associated with sluggishness, associated with sluggishness: this is called internally constrained speculation.
And what is externally scattered speculation?
Speculation due to the five cords of sensual pleasure externally...
When secluded from distractions: This is said to be an investigation that is secluded from external distractions.
Thus a disciple develops a mind that is open, unenveloped, unrestricted, and luminous.
When developed in this way the four bases of power are developed and cultivated, and they become of great fruit and great benefit.
When a disciple has developed and cultivated the four bases of power in this way, he experiences various kinds of supernormal powers: being one, he becomes many; being many, he becomes one ... up to and including the ability to control the body as far as the Brahma world.
When a disciple has developed and cultivated the four bases of power in this way, having made them a frequent practice, he directly knows and realizes the destruction of the taints, the liberation of the mind, and the liberation through wisdom that are taintless with the destruction of the taints, and he abides having realized them for himself in this very life.