There are a number of ancient traditions supporting the theory that humans can develop supernatural powers using techniques such as meditation, static dancing, drumming, praying, fasting, psychedelics, and more. In the yoga tradition, some of these techniques are known as ‘siddhis’, meaning ‘perfection’ in Sanskrit.
Even Buddhism acknowledges the existence of mystical powers, and Buddha is known to have expected his followers to be able to gain these abilities, but not to become distracted by them.
Donald Lopez Jr., a Professor of Buddhist and Tibetan Studies at the University of Michigan, explains these abilities attributed to Buddha:
“With this enlightenment, he was believed to possess all manner of supernormal powers, including full knowledge of each of his own past lives and those of other beings, the ability to know others’ thoughts, the ability to create doubles of himself, the ability to rise into the air and simultaneously shoot fire and water from his body. . . . Although he passed into nirvana at the age of eighty-one, he could have lived “for an aeon or until the end of the aeon” if only he had been asked to do so.”
According to the Institute of Noetic Sciences, there are many stories throughout history of people with ‘extended human capacities.’
Another example of the supernatural abilities of Buddhist monks is given by Swami Rama in Living with the Himalayan Masters:
“I had never before seen a man who could sit still without blinking his eyelids for eight to ten hours, but this adept was very unusual. He levitated two and a half feet during his meditations. We measured this with a string, which was later measured by a foot rule. I would like to make it clear, though, as I have already told you, that I don’t consider levitation to be a spiritual practice. It is an advanced practice of pranayama with application of bandeaus (locks). One who knows about the relationship between mass and weight understands that it is possible to levitate, but only after long practice. . .
He (also) had the power to transform matter into different forms, like changing a rock into a sugar cube. One after another the next morning he did many such things. He told me to touch the sand – and the grains of sand turned into almonds and cashews. I had heard of this science before and knew its basic principles, but I had hardly believed such stories. I did not explore this field, but I am fully acquainted with the governing laws of science.”
With the myriad of stories within the literature and folklore of people with mystical powers, and the science shedding new light on the possibility of ancient mysticism, it’s not unlikely to believe that these abilities were more common knowledge at certain time in history.
Today, there have been a number of studies in the area of parapsychology providing substantial results, especially those relating to the findings from quantum physics. Max Planck, the theoretical physicist who originated quantum theory, stated that he “regards consciousness as fundamental” and that he regarded “matter as derivative from consciousness.” He also said that “we cannot get behind consciousness” and that “everything that we talk about, everything that we regard as existing postulates consciousness.” His viewpoint was supported by the Dalai Lama:
‘Broadly speaking, although there are some differences, I think Buddhist philosophy and Quantum Mechanics can shake hands on their view of the world. We can see in these great examples the fruits of human thinking. Regardless of the admiration we feel for these great thinkers, we should not lose sight of the fact that they were human beings just as we are.’
There’s further explanation on the matter by R.C. Henry, Professor of Physics of Physics and Astronomy at John Hopkins University:
‘A fundamental conclusion of the new physics also acknowledges that the observer creates the reality. As observers, we are personally involved with the creation of our own reality. Physicists are being forced to admit that the universe is a “mental” construction. Pioneering physicist Sir James Jeans wrote: “The stream of knowledge is heading toward a non-mechanical reality; the universe begins to look more like a great thought than like a great machine. Mind no longer appears to be an accidental intruder into the realm of matter, we ought rather hail it as the creator and governor of the realm of matter. Get over it, and accept the inarguable conclusion. The universe is immaterial-mental and spiritual.’
HARVARD AND THE HIMALAYAN MONKS
Harvard Professor of Medicine Herbert Benson and his team of researchers studied monks living in the Himalayan Mountains during a visit to remote monasteries in the 1980s. The monks were able to increase the temperatures of their fingers and toes by as much as 17 degrees by using g Tum-mo – a yoga technique. The scientists haven’t been able to explain how the monks are capable of generating such heat.
The research did not end here. Advanced meditators in Sikkim, India, who could lower their metabolism by 64% were also a subject of study.
The Harvard research team filmed a video of monks drying cold, wet sheets with body heat alone. This was in 1985. It’s also quite common for monks to spend winter nights 15,000 feet high in the Himalayas.
The list of examples of humans who can do extraordinary things does not end here, and these have long been the subject of study in science.
source and courtesy: simplecapacity.com