an9.41:12.1 Then I thought,
an9.41:12.2 ‘Why don’t I, going totally beyond the dimension of infinite space, aware that “consciousness is infinite”, enter and remain in the dimension of infinite consciousness?’
an9.41:12.3 But my mind did not leap forth, gain confidence, settle down, and become decided in the dimension of infinite consciousness. I didn’t see it as peaceful.
an9.41:12.4 Then I thought,
an9.41:12.5 ‘What is the cause, what is the reason why my mind does not leap forth, gain confidence, settle down, and become decided in the dimension of infinite consciousness? Why don’t I see it as peaceful?’
an9.41:12.6 Then I thought,
an9.41:12.7 ‘I haven’t seen the drawbacks of the dimension of infinite space, and so I haven’t cultivated that. I haven’t realized the benefits of the dimension of infinite consciousness, and so I haven’t developed that.
an9.41:12.8 That’s why my mind does not leap forth, gain confidence, settle down, and become decided in the dimension of infinite consciousness. And it’s why I don’t see it as peaceful.’
an9.41:12.9 Then I thought,
an9.41:12.10 ‘Suppose that, seeing the drawbacks of the dimension of infinite space, I were to cultivate that. And suppose that, realizing the benefits of the dimension of infinite consciousness, I were to develop that. It’s possible that my mind would leap forth, gain confidence, settle down, and become decided in the dimension of infinite consciousness. And I would see it as peaceful.’
an9.41:12.11 And so, after some time, I saw the drawbacks of the dimension of infinite space and cultivated that, and I realized the benefits of the dimension of infinite consciousness and developed that.
an9.41:12.12 Then my mind leapt forth, gained confidence, settled down, and became decided in the dimension of infinite consciousness. I saw it as peaceful.
an9.41:12.13 And so, going totally beyond the dimension of infinite space, aware that ‘consciousness is infinite’, I entered and remained in the dimension of infinite consciousness.
an9.41:12.14 While I was in that meditation, perception and focus accompanied by the dimension of infinite space beset me, and that was an affliction for me.
an9.41:12.15 Suppose a happy person were to experience pain; that would be an affliction for them.
an9.41:12.16 In the same way, when perception and focus accompanied by the dimension of infinite space beset me, that was an affliction for me.

