Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c16.192

c16.192

Finally, another level of contemplative life becomes necessary. Consciousness must be trained to contemplate objects both gross and subtle. This process develops (10) a plasticity of consciousness which routined rites so far followed have tended to circumscribe. This is called *Vaśīkāra*, a state of psychic self-sufficiency and freedom [avyāhata prasāra (*Bhāsvatī*); sthūla-sūkshma-rūpaṁ paksha dvayaṁ charataḥ asya chittasya yaḥ apratighātaḥ kenāpi aprativaddhatā (*Vārttika*)]. The psyche thus achieves a freedom to reflect in itself with equal success the nature of pure consciousness, of the act of knowing, as also of the object known (grahītṛi-grahaṇa-grāhyeshu tadañjanatā). It is the plane of pure cognition (*Samāpatti*) [i, 41].