Thanks for taking the time to discuss this fascinating topic! Oh, OK- Got it. So my question back is, what practical difference in > your life would it make if you witnessed someone, even yourself, > externally manifesting a sidhi?
I would accept a test with better scientific protocol and including a professional magician among the scientists. I used to perform magic, so when I see Sai Baba performing the tricks I learned as a 10 year old as proof of his siddhis, I realize that many scientists need observational help because they do not know what to look for. If it was demonstrated under proper conditions it would facilitate a scientific revolution and a huge breakthrough for mankind instead of being the interest of a tiny minority of people. > > Would deep contentment well up from within you? Would you gain > eternal peacefulness? Would your life be ever dedicated to God? Or > would you think about how neat it was, and then just go back to > whatever patterns your life has taken on? I don't share any of those mentioned goals. Eternal peacefulness is death for me. Deep contentment comes and goes which motivates my actions toward my goals. I don't desire it as a permanent state. I don't think we share the same assumptions about the concept of God and it's value in our lives. I am dedicated to my own goals and the people I love in my life, and that seems to fill up my world . I don't know what you mean by "patterns". > > By the way, the best book I ever read of people manifesting sidhis > was by one of this planet's most powerful and magnificent saints, > Yogananda. His recountings are 100% true, so what more do you need? > I read and enjoyed this book before I got into TM. Interestingly the people in that book all performed on demand. I don't think that Yogananda is a reliable witness. He was way too invested in the belief beforehand, and had no training in what it might mean to conduct a test. The performer, not the observer, controlled everything about those tests and that is unacceptable if the goal is to prove something. It does interest me that Yogananda's book is a fantastic example of how spiritual people use the appearance of science when it suits them. The New Testament does the same thing. It appears to follow scientific standards and gives the impression of a method, but it does not conform to the proper procedures. It is a great "proof" for people who do not understand or value a more reliable application of the method. There is something very innate in the desire for using the scientific method that appeals to people deeply. But the improper application of the method is worse than non at all. It gives a false sense of credibility about the information. A mountain of bad evidence does not equal one instance of good evidence. My experience is that when people are challenged about the quality of their evidence, the proof system is changed and the value of scientific method is minimized. If science's methods are being used to persuade, then they should be applied properly. I don't assume that we share this enthusiasm for the scientific method, but since both MMY and Yodananda gives it a lot of lip service, I am giving my opinion. It is nice to be able to discuss such topics. I know we are standing on very different assumptions about the world. That makes this a unique opportunity for me. Our goals in life seem so different that it is interesting to hear how you see the world! --- In [email protected], "jim_flanegin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > --- In [email protected], "curtisdeltablues" > <curtisdeltablues@> wrote: > > > > --- In [email protected], "jim_flanegin" <jflanegi@> > wrote: > > > > > > --- In [email protected], "curtisdeltablues" > > > <curtisdeltablues@> wrote: > > > > > > > > I think there is a line between internal experience, which is > tougher > > > > to verify, and an external event that can be wittnessed by > others > > > > don't you think? > > > <snip> > > > > > > Hi, a line between internal and external experience, in terms of > what? > > > How easy the internal experience is to manifest, vs the > external? I am > > > sorry, I am not understanding your question... > > > > > > > > > It would not make any differnce for you and your internal > experience, > > but it would make all the difference in the world to someone like > me. > > Siddhis involving external manifestations would interest me > greatly. I > > don't have any evidence that anyone is able to do them. Because > it is > > an extraordinary claim, it would have to require some extraordinary > > proof for me to believe it. > > > > I don't doubt anyone's internal experiences, I take them at face > > value. But as soon as the claim extends into the world, and can be > > witnessed by others, the rules of good evidence should apply. > That is > > why I was interested in hearing how others on the group think about > > these things. > > > > As far as your experiences go, I just appreciate your sharing them. > > > Oh, OK- Got it. So my question back is, what practical difference in > your life would it make if you witnessed someone, even yourself, > externally manifesting a sidhi? > > Would deep contentment well up from within you? Would you gain > eternal peacefulness? Would your life be ever dedicated to God? Or > would you think about how neat it was, and then just go back to > whatever patterns your life has taken on? > > By the way, the best book I ever read of people manifesting sidhis > was by one of this planet's most powerful and magnificent saints, > Yogananda. His recountings are 100% true, so what more do you need? > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Home is just a click away. 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