Do Unique Powers Hinder Spiritual Growth? - Part II

Add as a preferred source on Google

Once someone referred to Paul Brunton's description of a yogi in Madras who could communicate with his guru in the Himalayas, Ramana pointed out that it only meant that the power of hearing of the yogi had been extended. Its range had been extended from the normal hearing distance to the distance between Madras and the Himalayas. But here again, the hearing, be it near or far, needs the subject, the hearer.

One has to find out the truth about the hearer instead of seeking a capacity to hear distant sounds. Ramana would say that what is fundamental is the knowledge about the subject to whom these powers relate. When a visitor asked about the powers of a superman Ramana replied, 'Whether the powers are high or low, whether of the mind or the super-mind they exist with reference to him who has the power. Find out who he is'.

Ramana would also point out the limitation of these powers from the angle of worthwhile spiritual goals. In the last analysis, all effort is to become aware of one's inherent happiness. Let us assume that through assiduous practice one comes to acquire some occult powers. Thereafter naturally one looks for opportunities to exhibit these powers and receive applause and approbation. It may or may not be forthcoming.

The field of 'siddhis' again is also too is competitive. There may be others more skilled or having vaster powers. The public might flock to them leaving one to one's jealousies. In essence the attempt to go up the ladder of powers is like the worldly person's pursuit of success. For, one can be that there would be someone or the other higher up in the scale. The unconscious desire for name and fame is yet another danger which should not be under-estimated. Even assuming that in this hurdles race one manages to survive the desire for more powers, the fear of losing what one possesses already would be a nagging companion. Where then is happiness in all this?

In the quote meditated on Ramana, poses the further question whether the siddhi seeker is not bartering away permanent happiness for transient gains. This danger springs from the fact that occult powers which are acquired through certain spiritual practices might be lost if one is not steadfast in adherence to such practices. In the merry-go-round of life one might become lax in practice and then the powers too would be lost.

This reason is enough for a seeker to shy away from occultism and the hunger for spiritual powers. It is quite on the cards that some of these powers might come to a spiritual seeker without conscious effort on his part. At this stage, one is at the cross-roads. One would go down if one yields to the temptation of acquiring powers. The courageous ignore them and push them aside. Then one moves forward with unwavering faith in Self-knowledge as the goal.