In yoga ‘siddhis’ is a term for the special abilities that people supposedly have or develop, such as psychic abilities. The term encompasses everything from seeing into the future and the past, reading the thoughts of others, levitation, shrinking and expanding one’s body, and even healing and flying. There are even more siddhis and the simple secret to exploring them is here.
Most traditional forms of yoga vehemently discourage the pursuit of siddhis, claiming they are an impediment to SELF-realization, a form of enlightenment. This conventional view is that siddhis distract from enlightenment and are best left alone, perhaps briefly noted yet best left alone.
Other traditions, such as shamanism, deliberately work at cultivating siddhis to help the tribe or even just to gather personal power. Even in yoga there are writers and teachers such as Sri Aurobindo who prophesizes the coming of what he calls the Supramental Race, a select group of people who become to humanity what humanity is to the apes.
This rise of the Supramental Race can be done through select practices of yoga. In the Yoga Sutras it is explained how to acquire siddhis. It is done through assorted forms of discipline in how one lives, and most especially it is done through the control of one’s thought. Beginning with contemplation and progressing into meditation, samadhi, and beyond, one eventually develops direct control of mind and the result is the awakening of supernormal powers and consciousness.
In this futuristic mythology those who have developed this extreme consciousness could then become the Supramental Race, if they so choose. Sri Aurobindo, at least, was very clear this new race would not be the masses of humanity. Instead it would be a small and select group composed of dedicated and adept individuals pursuing their highest potentials.
Siddhis are part of their potentials. In this next evolutionary step nothing is left behind; all is embraced that is achievable and worthwhile.
It’s an inspirational story. A little late in arriving in the real world, but inspirational.
I think psychic powers are cool. However the reliability of people who claim to be psychic can be very low. In all fairness some psychics do better counseling than professional counselors, but what is the best solution of all?
Pursuing siddhis and intuitive development on your own through channeling your imagination, developing parts of your mind that are little used and very useful, will help the most.
