"Lifted off the floor by consciousness"

[ShivaFan]

I don't know about lifting off the floor and floating for a few moments, I do recall it was so claimed by TM folks back in the 1970's. I remember a friend had a mther who lived right next door who was going to TM events, and seeing her siting and it looked like she was trying to lift off if you will, but of course never did.

TM was very popular back then, I recall seeing Maharishi Mahesh Yogi posters here and their, in book stores even and even in the office rooms of teachers at school or University.

But then, I never visited any of their events, I think I recall they wanted to charge sort of a high fee to do so.

But everyone pretty much has seen amazing things that are mysterious or spiritual or even hard to tell others for fear of their reaction.

For example, once my friend and myself visited a Radha Krishna Temple (yes, ISKCON, please no anti ISKCON bleeb right now, I visit many, many temples Om Nama Sivaya) ... well there were only three people total in the temple, not sure why the Radha and Krishna murthis were there in view while there was no puja or other such as a pujari.

It was in the afternoon. Three of us just sitting, I did not know the third person. Radha was in a certain position and location. Not that myself was taking particular mental note of this location, but then looking up ... well She moved about 1 foot closer out in front and towards Krishna. I did not see Her move, I just realized that She was not in the same location.

My hair literally stood up on my neck. You have heard of such an expression, but it is true.

What is weird is all three of us immediately left the altar area and we all noticed it and we stunned. Actually it was somthing, we thought was there an earthquake?

Don't know.

[silence_speaks]

Dear Yajvan,
Harih om!
Your point is correct. I have not overlooked it but was just pointing at the need to give no attention to such powers.
if i start by giving attention to such powers, how can I gain vairagya ? is not vairagya important qualification ?

Its true that Siddhi is only due to practise of Samayama in a specific way. For example by practise of dharana,dhyana and samadhi on past present and future ... one would get one particular siddhi etc.

A person who is interested in Self Realization would not do it however. He would rather Revel as Self ... coz past, present and future are all mithya... not worth their attention

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam: I've never really understood the need to 'demonstrate' such things. I do believe it is possible, but not by ordinary folk.

Once upon a time I had the opportunity to see the great hatha yoga expert, Iyengar. Many folks there, including myself, wanted to see his demonstration. But we were told that he no longer did public demonstrations. Back then I was disappointed. Now I see the wisdom in it. Its not about what you can do, but your approach. Humility is always advisable.

Aum Namasivaya

[yajvan]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~

namast�


When one hears of siddhi-s they think of flying, becoming invisible, being in two places at the same time. All great powers no less. Yet if we look to pata�jali�s yogadarśana, the 3rd chapter called vibhūti pāda, he calls out various siddhi-s or perfections. He calls out in the 23rd ( some may have this as the 24th ) sūtra, the following:

maitryādiśu balāni ||
maitrī = friendliness + ādiśu = aim or intent ( some say 'and the others') + balāni = powers, strengths
Note that since this is a sūtra the words 'by practicing saṁyama' is implied as this is defined in the initial instruction of this 3rd chapter itself.


This formula says the power (balāni) of friendliness is the intent (ādiśu) by practicing saṁyama on friendliness ( maitrī ) and others (ādiśu). This 'and others' means other virtues like compassion, goodwill, harmlessness (ahiṁsā ) etc. are developed. Hence one can increase the quality of universal harmlessness and friendliness offered to all creatures via ones sādhana.

So we need to be mindful that these siddhi-s have practical uses to groom the whole human experience. It is not about the flying. That is like the candy used to attract the children to do thier practice. With the practice better things occur and one natually unfolds their full potential.


If one is settled, possessed, steeped in friendliness from where can hiṁsā� arise ? This is the wisdom offered by pata�jali.


praṇām

1. hiṁsā - harm

[Mana]

हरिः ओम्


Namaste yajvan,

Thank you for reminding me of this perspective, it can be so easy to get caught up in ones lot, that we quickly forget where we are.
As we hop along life's ups and downs.

There is such wisdom in this offering, and this practis is at the very root of so many a beautiful path, already trodden.

I like to equate this to the level of ones spiritual energy, when one has established the posture so as not to waver at the slightest of
hurdles. Ones elevated spirit can literally float above any troubled water; resisting any attempt to darken the mood or dampen the
spirit. No longer drawn into all the games and competition, as such one may be considered float above samskara, flight or levitation
seems a very fitting analogy to me.

Powered by kindness ...


praṇāma

mana


ॐ नमः शिवाय
Aum Namaḥ Śivāya

[Twilightdance]

Leapfrogging off a heavily cushioned floor up and down the room, is just what it is - leapfrogging. Coming up with fancy names like Yogic flying and adding TM superscript at the top doesn't change it except for the ability of the otherwise stupid exercise to generate cash for the founder. Recently Nityananda (he doesn't give a damn about them being trademarked by another organization - he will call it kundalini flying instead) tried the same thing in public press conference surrounded by his zombified followers, who were jumping incessantly on their cushioned mats, as he was making funny gestures with hand and his million dollar smile. Then the Nutty Nitty claimed he can do the same to anybody even if they are unwilling, a journalist on the scene volunteered and obviously Nitty landed in some difficulties, his hand gestures and smile not being much effective anymore!

Fantasy has always been the bane of Hinduism and still is, diluting and obscurating whatever wisdom it might have to offer to the present world. From traditional mind set you cannot really drop the fantasy and exaggerations when they are part of the books which we have chosen to ascribe to God instead of human intelligence.

However what may be interesting is jumping in padmasana although not metioned anywhere in Hindu texts, does appear in preliminary practices for Six Yogas of Naropa. It is part of the buddhist hatha-yoga like exercises meant to loosen the channels (nadis) etc. Perhaps the "Maharshi" may have seen or heard this and created his trademarked flying technique. Here is the practical demonstration:- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6um8x7IqX4
Of course this needs very arduous amount of practice & dedication and does not promise easy flying like the TM methods. I am also not implying that Tibetans & Tibetan Buddhism any less prone to fantasy - and just because this is documented & practiced within six yogas makes it something special. It seems without good cushions this can be injury prone.

[yajvan]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~

namast�

However what may be interesting is jumping in padmasana although not metioned anywhere in Hindu texts, does appear in preliminary practices for Six Yogas of Naropa.

Please consider reading the yogatattva upaniṣad,
as a frog leaps, so does the yogin sitting in the padama posture moves on earth. With increased practice he is able to rise above the ground.

praṇām

[Mana]

हरिः ओम्


Namaste,


I am lead to thinking of the rotation of a wheel, a wheel which when traced through time, becomes a swinging sine wave;
this wave, when rectified by the reduction of desire, becomes a hopping motion. At which time the only thing needed for
elevation, is the capacitance of a one pointed mind.

Obvious steps for an emotional visual thinker. Could this imagery also have you running round in circles for eternity, if
you can't think laterally ...

Might this be how we stop the wheel of births and deaths, so as to become productive; maybe even one day fruitful? I am
of course only addressing those souls who are plagued by the self doubt, continually introverted, by that which accompanies
sensitivity.

The insensitive will naturally, see no need for this at all; any tireless pursuit of this cryptic message will preserve it.


dy/dx What a curious thing is the Self, its knowledge; in all of her marvellous forms.


praṇāma

mana


ॐ नमः शिवाय
Aum Namaḥ Śivāya

[dhyandev]

you need to siddha the khechri mudra

[Ekoham]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~

namasté



Now one may choose not to practice any type of siddhi and that is fine. Yet it will not come (anyway) without the grooming of samādhi .

So for those that care not to proceed in any type of siddhi practice it will not occur any way for without samādhi no siddhi-s will germinate. It is that simple.

Namaste Yajvanji,

Even though one may not wish to attain any sidhdhi it seems to be a natural outcome of Samadhi that one attains some kind of sidhdhi, whether one had wished for it or not. These are all natural outcome of deeper, continuous and concentrated meditation.
Yes a conscious effort must be made to not to get carried away with this siddhi's.

Pranam

Ekoham