We have interesting discussions we think are worth sharing, including those about meditation. Since it is such an important component to our methods, its portrayal in the media and other groups occasionally comes up. One item that comes up occasionally is the subject of “special powers” that some claim to be obtained via meditation. Things like levitation, ESP, projecting “energy” etc. are all topics that get various levels of attention. Some of it is complimentary and promotional, some not so much.

We have a favourite story about a Zen student who was taught the folly of pursuing things like levitation and, by implication, other powers. The story highlights the fact that just becoming still is itself both difficult and eminently worthwhile. Chasing after super-powers, while alluring is a waste of precious time. (we’ll publish the story later)

Meditation can be quite beneficial on many levels. One of them is so simple and obvious that we often miss it. Namely, being able to attend to the use of our natural human abilities and improving them. One example is peripheral vision.

This ability to sense movement on either side of the body while continuing to look ahead was a survival tool back in our hunter-gathering days. Humans need to remain aware of movement in those bushes since it represented potential food or a threat. This ability has atrophied to a large degree in many people because we no longer rely on it. So working on a natural sensory ability like this can bring what may seem like magical powers to those whose abilities are lax. In fact, I would suggest that many of the stories about super-powers from meditation come from the enhancement of these natural faculties.

I have a personal experience about how working on peripheral vision also taught me a lesson in humility. That story can be found here on the my personal site. As you will see, it was quite instructive.

While these so-called powers are fascinating, the real function of meditation as we teach it is to calm the mind and body so as to bring deeper peace and tranquility to our lives. We’ve pointed out what is obvious to anyone who is looking at their age with concern - life truly is short. It passes by quickly so we would do well to think about what we are doing with it and how we are using our time. Our goal for everyone who comes into the pain groups or online course is to add to their personal peaceful enjoyment of being alive.

So chasing powers does not seem to us to be a worthwhile investment of the time we have. But personal tranquil contentment with reduced pain and increased enjoyment - that strikes us as eminently worthwhile since life is indeed short.