Yoga and Meditation: The Pursuit of True Power

For centuries, ascetic gurus have retreated to forests and caves to immerse themselves in deep meditation, and monks from various traditions have dedicated their lives to spiritual practices. This journey is about transcending the mundane, not gaining supernatural abilities. While belief in superpowers through yoga and meditation persists, scientific validation remains elusive. Let's explore the reality and the myths around achieving true power through these practices.

Tracing the Roots of Spiritual Powers

The ancient texts, such as the Yoga Sutras, extol the virtues of various psychic and physical powers, known as siddhis, but most contemporary scholars and spiritual practitioners have dismissed these claims as wishful thinking or exaggeration. These siddhis, which range from telepathy to enveloping oneself in flames, are often depicted in literature and art, captivating the imagination. However, the scientific community, including those dedicated to verifying these claims, has yet to find substantial evidence for their existence.

Psychic powers, such as extrasensory perception (ESP) and clairvoyance, are less dramatic but still intriguing. Some anecdotal evidence suggests that practitioners of advanced yoga techniques may indeed manifest such abilities, but these are certainly rare and intensely scrutinized. Interestingly, even if these powers do exist, they are not considered the ultimate goal of meditation.

Why Meditators Avoid Divine Powers

For spiritual aspirants, the pursuit of divine powers is seen as a deviation from the ultimate goal: communion with the divine. The journey through meditation is about transcending the ego, understanding the true nature of reality, and eventually achieving a state of oneness with the divine. If real-life superpowers exist, they are rare and not a focus of the spiritual path.

The siddhis are often considered as byproducts of advanced spiritual development. Paramhansa Yogananda, in his work 'Autobiography of a Yogi', states, 'The advanced yogi becomes attuned with the powers at the chakras. By this ascension the miraculous powers siddhis over mind and matter are in time attained.' However, he also asserts that these powers should be shed in favor of the supreme miracle of realizing God.

Real-Life Miracles and the Cosmic Dream

Historical figures like Trailanga Swami offer fascinating examples of individuals who claimed to possess and use divine powers. Trailanga Swami, a jivanmukta or self-realized being, was known for performing several miracles, including drinking deadly poison and ascending above water in the Ganges. His apparent immortality and vast age add to the mystique of those who have achieved extraordinary states through spirituality.

Paramhansa Yogananda, a renowned yoga master, provides an insightful perspective on the nature of miracles. He writes, '‘A ‘miracle’ is commonly considered to be an effect or event without law or beyond law. But all events in our precisely adjusted universe are lawfully wrought and lawfully explicable.’ This suggests that even so-called miracles are part of the natural order, either as divine interventions or the result of flawless energy manipulation.

To put it succinctly, by achieving mastery over the body and mind, one can seemingly defy the laws of nature in ways that are not supernatural but natural miracles rooted in true enlightenment and understanding of the universe's underlying laws.

Conclusion

Your pursuit of true power through yoga and meditation is one of transformation, not acquisition. While the idea of acquiring supernatural abilities may capture the imagination, the path to spiritual growth is one of self-realization and enlightenment. The real power lies in attaining inner peace, clarity, and a deeper understanding of the divine. As Paramhansa Yogananda concludes, 'By this Kriya Yoga ascension the miraculous powers siddhis over mind and matter mentioned by Patanjali are in time attained. The yogi then discards those inferior powers for the supreme Miracle - God. Finding Him the devotee has achieved true success.'