Concept of Siddhi in yoga texts comparison with modern physics and transpersonal psychology

Abstract

Though well known in ancient times, materialism has meant that Siddhis are no longer newlinegenerally accepted. The term and#8215;siddhi translates as and#8215;perfection , and#8215;attainment , or and#8215;success . newlineSiddhis result from yoga practices that train the mind to operate on subtle levels. The study newlinesets out a list of siddhis in ancient yoga texts with their descriptions, and procedures to newlinedevelop them. It also lists abilities described in Transpersonal Psychology, and provides newlineexplanations from instability physics that explain these higher functions of the mind for the newlineacademic community. Siddhis arise when, through spiritual practices, the mind s higher newlinepotentials are realized. As natural phenomena they should be understood as milestones on the newlinespiritual path. The study provides academics, philosophers, and scientists, a basis for newlineunderstanding the concept of siddhi and its ramifications. newlineAIMS AND OBJECTIVES newlineThe study has two aims: first, to generate a complete listing of siddhis described in yoga newlinetexts, along with the means to develop them; second, to discuss them in terms of modern newlinescience. newlineIts overall objective is to extended the scientific paradigm to include siddhi; more precisely newlinethat they constitute advanced states of psychology, which known physics of mind can newlineexplain. The study thus purposes to link knowledge from the dateless past with today s newlineempirical sciences. newlineMETHODS newlineThe study is literary research, taking as its problem: How to include siddhis in the scientific newlineparadigm, and its body of evidence, siddhis listed in both the Sanskrit literature and modern newlineinvestigations. Source texts for the study were selected after discussions with experts in the newlinefield. The two Yoga Çästra, the Bhagavada Gétä and Pataïjali Yoga Sütra, twenty Yoga newlineUpaniñads, and four Yoga Tantras were studied in detail, and translated into English after newlinetransliteration. Modern science research data was taken from texts and papers published in newlineacademic journals. newlineAPPROACH newlineThe study has both practical and analytical aspects. It studies sidd