Years ago I read a short story about an American mountain climber. While gathering supplies in a market in India, he comes across a yogi with matted hair and a long beard, wearing nothing but a simple dhoti. The yogi politely asks the American what he is doing in India. The mountain climber curtly tells this “oddity” to mind his own business. After a rude and arrogant exchange, the American proudly says he is going to climb Mount Everest. The story goes on to describe the long, tedious days of trekking with a caravan of porters to arrive at the mountain and finally to carry supplies to base camp. Then comes the difficult and dangerous ascent to the top, pushing the very boundaries of human will and endurance. What a shock, upon arriving at the peak, to discover this same yogi calmly sitting there in lotus posture. The American stammers, “How did you get here?” The yogi replies, “The question is, ‘How did you get here?’ Surely you didn’t walk, did you?”
Miracles and miraculous powers have long been a central theme when we read books by or about yogis and great saints. People are drawn to these stories like moths to the light, knowing, on some deep intuitive level, that they show the potential that lies within us, too. But because our consciousness is not yet advanced enough to actually manifest these powers, we try to emulate them by physical and scientific means.
Three days ago we had a satsang with the Ananda group in Chennai. As we usually do, we prayed and chanted together, had a short meditation, and then a discourse. This was followed by questions and answers. What was unusual was that, although Devi and I were sitting in a room in California, through Skype we could all see and hear one another nearly as well as if we were actually sitting together in Chennai. I jokingly said that it was like being able to bilocate. Some day, with virtual reality, the illusion will be nearly complete.
There are several trends in technology that give us nearly miraculous powers. Already now, in early Dwapara Yuga (what we might call “the electromagnetic age”), we are seeing nearly instant global communication. When your cell phone rings, you don’t know if someone is calling from the next room or from the other side of the world. Soon we will no longer carry electronic devices, but wear them, like clothing or skin. Sri Yukteswar predicted that in this age we would overcome the delusion of space.
Another often mentioned power is the ability to levitate. For those who can’t yet achieve this through their own spiritual advancement, there is the hoverboard. Last week a Frenchman rose fifty meters into the air and traveled more than two kilometers over the water, standing on such a device.
Then there is the spiritual state of non-attachment. Through technology we are headed in the direction, at least, of non-ownership. A young person today is likely never to own a car, for example. With the coming of driverless cars plus services like Lyft and Uber, it will become pointless to own an expensive hunk of metal that may sit idle most of the time. Airbnb and other similar new companies are making it possible for people to share underused rooms, assets, and other resources.
I could go on with many more examples of how technology is giving us abilities that would have seemed miraculous only a few decades ago. But, lest we get too excited, these powers exist only in the dream world of the physical plane. Technology, no matter how interesting, can only mimic the powers of the saints. Our job, as true yogis, is to awaken from this dream into the realization of our own infinite potential.
In joy,
Nayaswami Jyotish
17 Comments
Pranam Ji
Thanks for sharing your Thoughts and Insight, It reminds That The Theologians use three Important terms
OMNIPOTENCE, OMNISCIENCE AND OMNIPRESENCE Explains the God, The all Prevailing, Limitless and His
Knowledge is Total. He Knows all that there is to know and all that can be Known.
With Gratitude
R Sundararajan
Dear Nayaswami Jyotish Ji,
Thank you for the sharing this article :)
Such a profound thought and a reminder for us to “to awaken from this dream into the realizations of our own infinite potential ” as true yogis
Thank you for helping we older ones embrace technology :o).
I so enjoy your humor!
Uber, cyber-great stuff, Jyotish, thanks!
Thank you for your devotion and sharing wisdom profoundly.
My awareness deepens each time I open to your blog.
wonderful article! Thank you!
True one sir, awakening from the dream world into the real world
When the,”stuck-up” mountain climber asked the yogi how he got to the mountain top,wouldnt it be fitting &,”uplifting” if the yogi replied,”Well,just google the book,’Autobiography of a Yogi’..then read the book!” Thanks for your continued interesting,insightful & encouraging postings.
Your sharings are truly inspirational, informative and an asset to me. I truly THANK YOU! My visits to the Ananda villege when I lived in California will always remain special to me and my spiritual path. I am an 82 year old “senior” now. My husband just passed six months
ago so I am living the “widow” role right now. It is a challenge. I am in constant prayer for strength and guidance and your sharings are
a blessing. Thank you again!
Inventing driverless cars may be easier than having absolute control over your mind and thoughts and be in touch with divine power.
How I love receiving these weekly “Touches of Light”….you never know what you cyber yogis will come up with next!!
Swami Pranabananda to Master in Autobiography of a Yogi on mystical realities:
“Why are you stupefied at all this? The subtle unity of the phenomenal world is not hidden from true yogis. I instantly see and converse with all my disciples in distant Calcutta. They can similarly transcend at will every obstacle of gross matter.”
I was reminded of this quote on reading your article. Thanks for such a futuristic vision and sharing it with us!
Thank you for sharing awesome and thought provoking stories
Dear Jyotish ji,
Amazing! I enjoyed this article but loved your advise more that “Our job, as true yogis, is to awaken from this dream into the realization of our own infinite potential.”
Thanks for this post.
While technology is good, it becomes redundant when you are isolated, away from civilization. You then have only God to help you.
Thank you for sharing. Gives me courage.
Maria
This is a wonderfull and excellent article about the similitud between the powers of the saints and yoguis and the actual technology.
Thank you very much
Love
Alice.