Hello Friends and Fellow Explorers!
Prepare to embark on a journey into the mystifying realm of supernatural powers – a controversial subject that promises to captivate and spark intrigue. In today’s exploration, we dive into the ancient secrets of Siddhis – extraordinary spiritual powers that have fascinated sages and seekers for centuries.
Join us as we uncover why these powers may remain just beyond reach for those who seek them most.
What are Siddhis?
Siddhis are extraordinary abilities believed to be attainable through rigorous spiritual practices within Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Such powers include clairvoyance (seeing distant or hidden objects), telekinesis (moving objects through mental concentration), the ability to read minds, recall past lives, and defy the laws of gravity (flying and levitation).
And that’s just for starters!
Extraordinary Claims.
During my travels, I have met with nuns, monks, lamas, yogis, and shamans who assure me that fully realized beings possess abilities that seem beyond the realm of possibility. These include controlling the weather, walking through solid objects, teleporting instantly to any location, and existing in two or more places at once, a feat known as bilocation.
Even more enthralling, there are those who claim to have witnessed spiritual adepts with control over the very elements, thus granting them the power to manifest precious objects out of thin air – a favorite trick of the Yogi Masters to bedazzle their devotees.
Miracles in Meditation.
As you might remember from my post last week, I discussed an intriguing conversation with an elderly Western monk. He described a deep meditation session during which a dozen butter lamps miraculously appeared in his room – a phenomenon he attributed to his Guru's ability to manifest physical objects from the spiritual realm.
My mystical monk buddy went on to describe further miracles he had personally witnessed, including individuals passing through solid walls, and disappearing before his very eyes!
While I remain skeptical of such supernatural abilities, I am certainly willing to be convinced of their existence. All I would need is a little evidence. Seeing a Lama walk through a solid wall or witnessing a Yogi levitating before my very eyes should be enough to convince me.
However, as much as I would love to witness such miraculous events, there is a cosmic catch:
The Siddhi Paradox.
My Buddhist teachers have informed me that witnessing spiritual miracles requires substantial merit. In Buddhism, merit refers to something akin to 'good karma' accumulated through positive actions, ethical living, and dedicated spiritual practice, all of which contribute to spiritual progress.
Therefore, due to my own lack of sufficient merit, even if a Lama were to teleport directly in front of me, or walk through a solid wall, this little muggle wouldn't be able to perceive it – I simply wouldn't notice.
This effectively inverts the burden of proof, suggesting that the inability to perceive Siddhis is a personal failing rather than a lack of evidence for their existence.
Gimme Siddhis!
Now, if you’re thinking about acquiring some of these supernatural abilities for yourself and are curious about the process, there's a second cosmic catch:
Siddhis are by-products of genuine spiritual growth, not a goal to be attained in and of itself. This means that if someone embarks on the spiritual path with the specific aim of gaining magical powers, they are assured never to acquire them.
According to the Lamas, it is only through unwavering selflessness, compassion, humility, detachment from desires, and extensive mind training that Siddhis may be cultivated. This implies that anyone who has developed such abilities is exactly the type of person who would never showcase them or exploit them for personal gain.
Indeed, the use of Siddhis is highly frowned upon in Buddhist circles, as it is considered a distraction from the authentic essence of the spiritual journey.
Balancing Secrecy and Insight.
Of course, this attitude towards Siddhis conveniently allows the Lamas to maintain their aura of mystery without the need to prove their powers. By framing the display of Siddhis as inappropriate, they effectively sidestep any obligation to substantiate such extraordinary claims.
Interestingly, this topic arose during a recent meeting with a highly esteemed Abbot. When I directly inquired about his supernatural abilities, his response both confirmed and challenged my assumptions about Siddhis.
Premium Subscribers can read the full transcript of this enlightening interaction HERE.
Seeing is Believing.
Despite the stipulation that Siddhis must never be displayed, there is no shortage of eyewitness testimony. In my travels collecting spiritual stories, nearly everyone I meet has at least one miraculous tale to share. The most remarkable of these accounts are featured in my upcoming book, 'A Skeptic's Guide to Enlightenment.' These supernatural stories will not only astonish and amuse but many come from highly credible sources, and some are rather convincing!
I can assure you, these individuals wholeheartedly believe in the supernatural stories they share – but did they truly witness genuine miracles, or is there perhaps something else at play?
Stay tuned for next week’s installment where we will dive into the scientific and skeptical exploration of Siddhis. Here, the fields of psychology and neuroscience intersect with age-old spiritual tales, challenging our beliefs about the limits of human potential.
Make sure to join us for a no-nonsense exploration where hard facts meet age-old mysteries.
See you then!
Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please click the like button, share with friends, and leave a comment below, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
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Grant.
Thanks Grant. Love the way you write. I look forward to your book. I remember when about 22 years old I read Autobiography of A Yogi by Yogananda and his descriptions of many miraculous people, events and spiritual powers opened my eyes to a completely different way of remaining open to my idea of "reality". Life changing.
Love the Mystic Monk Mate line!