The essential nature of the mind on the sublest level, which can be considered synonymous with buddha nature (sugatagarbha, bde gshegs snying po). Although ever present within the continuum of every sentient being, it is normally obscured and thus ordinarily experienced only after the dissolution of elements and the threefold shutdown processes are completed at the time of death. Recognition of the clear light can be cultivated through the familiarization by a practitioner who has trained accordingly. Full recognition is considered to be attainment of realization of the dharmakaya. With regard to the clear light, a further distinction is made between two aspects. The first, the ground clear light (gzhi'i 'od gsal) or mother clear light ('od gsal ma), is the aforementioned presence of the dharmakaya that naturally appears at the moment of death, but cannot be recognized by an ordinary being without sufficient prior familiarization. The second, the path of clear light (lam gyi 'od gsal) or child clear light )'od gsal bu), refers to that process of familiarization whereby the practitioner cultivates realization of this essential mature through meditative experience in life. When these two aspects conjoin completely, this is known as the "meeting of mother and child clear light" and is equivalent to the attainment of perfect awakening or buddhahood.