visions and psychic powers...
Meditation sometimes brings about spectacular side effects; visions of gods may appear and occasionally supernatural powers such as clairvoyance and telepathy are developed. Both of these effects can be deliberately produced. Concentration on an mental image will sometimes result in visions, particularly if the concentration is done with devotion or if there is a strong desire for the visions to appear. Psychic powers (siddhis) may also be attained by special yogic exercises which accelerate the development of eight siddhis ranging from invisibility to walking on water.
Sri Ramana discouraged his devotees from deliberately pursuing either visions or siddhis by pointing out that they were products of the mind which might impede rather than faciliate Self-realisation. If visions came spontaneously he would sometimes admit that they were a sign of progress but he would usually add that they were only temporary experiences in the mind and that they were 'below the plane of Self-realisation'.
If siddhis appeared spontaneously he would outline the dangers of becoming attached to them, explain that such powers were more likely to inflate the ego than eliminate it, and emphasise that the desire for siddhis and the desire for Self-realisation were mutually exclusive.
The Self is the most intimate and eternal being whereas the siddhis are foreign. Siddhis are acquired by effort whereas the Self is not. The powers are sought by the mind which must be kept alert whereas the Self is realised when the mind is destroyed. The powers only manifest when there is the ego. The Self is beyond the ego and is realised only after the ego is eliminated.!!!!!
aus
Be As You Are
The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi
edited by David Goodman
Sri Ramana discouraged his devotees from deliberately pursuing either visions or siddhis by pointing out that they were products of the mind which might impede rather than faciliate Self-realisation. If visions came spontaneously he would sometimes admit that they were a sign of progress but he would usually add that they were only temporary experiences in the mind and that they were 'below the plane of Self-realisation'.
If siddhis appeared spontaneously he would outline the dangers of becoming attached to them, explain that such powers were more likely to inflate the ego than eliminate it, and emphasise that the desire for siddhis and the desire for Self-realisation were mutually exclusive.
The Self is the most intimate and eternal being whereas the siddhis are foreign. Siddhis are acquired by effort whereas the Self is not. The powers are sought by the mind which must be kept alert whereas the Self is realised when the mind is destroyed. The powers only manifest when there is the ego. The Self is beyond the ego and is realised only after the ego is eliminated.!!!!!
aus
Be As You Are
The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi
edited by David Goodman
Belleeer - 2010-07-26 22:22
