Hi V,
(thought I would just put my thoughts in a new thread as ruining someones pendulum thread).
Anyways, i do agree to a point. I think the ony part I would query is these "abilities" come along and are seen as a distraction! But if these abilities happen as a consequence of this spiritual enlightenment - then surely there is a reason for them.
Maybe the true "purpose" of these abilities just hasnt been discovered yet.
Doesnt everything happen for a reason. And if during my journey (theoretically) I gained a "gift" wouldnt it be rude to just ignore something that was given to me.
Dont really know, just a thought!
Hi PP,
I think a better understanding of how siddhis can become distractions comes from examples. I understand what you mean - like, if one is going to be very spiritual, why not use the abilities? Some have! There are amazing accounts of, say, Catholic Saints, who had all the powers Jesus displayed, and they used them. I think it was OK for them to use them as their egos were not at all involved. For example, if a river needed to be crossed, to walk on the water had no ego involved, and if watchers were astonished, there was no ego there present to boost.
In the East, I have read the story which I think is written by Yogananda in his autobiography. He had a great Guru, but he was young and impetuous. One day he announced to his Guru that he was leaving him, "Because I have found a much greater teacher who can produce fire at will from his throat, a true fire-breather". The Guru took this lightly but asked to be taken to this true fire-breather.
When the Guru met this man he burst out laughing, and said something like, "What? It is you, my student who rebelled and left the true path? So what have you accomplished now, twenty years later? You have spent twenty years learning how to truly breathe out fire. Fine! But what of your karma? And what of your ministering to all of life? You have failed in this life! Twenty years to learn how to produce fire - when you could have been practical and used a match!"
So the disciple, Yogananda I think it was, returned to his Guru. The fire-breathing is an example of an almost useless siddhi, acquired simply to expand the human ego, and of little practical use. Or, at least, it doesn't help much in the Goal of spiritual attainment.
But your first post was interesting, as yes, if there is no ego involved at all, then of course people do use powers simply for practical reasons. 
V
Hi V,
thank you, have a better understanding now.
Only wish there was no ego in all people. What a wonderful world it could be!!
I have read the story which I think is written by Yogananda in his autobiography.
This story is actually in 'Living With The Himalayan Masters' by Swami Rama. Very good book.
Thanks for the correction, Barafundle. TBH I knew it was either one or the other, and took a leap, since it's really just the anecdote that counts.
So the anecdote is a good one, I feel, even if untrue. Here on HP, Sunanda put me wise to the fact that some of the stories recounted by Swami Rama are untrue. That he wasn't a wholly truthful person. I forget exactly what I read to check this now, but I must have googled his name, and sure enough much real doubt was cast upon him. Isn't that off-putting and a shame! So his whole book, a collection of his tales, is suspect. :rolleyes:
V