In the world of spirituality, there’s a widespread misconception that the greater the number of spiritual experiences, the further one has gone on one’s path. Sadly, this has become the cause of why many remain stuck without any genuine growth.
For this reason, I am not fond of books like The Autobiography of a Yogi that glorify miracles and Siddhi.
What is a Siddhi?
When a person acquires something through rigorous disciplines, it is typically called Siddhi or accomplishments.
For example, if someone becomes the CEO of a reputed company through their hard work, that is also a Siddhi, but a worldly one.
Lately, though, the term has almost become exclusive to spiritual accomplishments. In this sense, there are three major types of Siddhi – Yogic Siddhi, Vak Siddhi, and Maha Siddhi.
1) Yogic Siddhi
A person who has perfected their mind through Yoga, not just exercises but a series of spiritual disciplines, can modify many things in the body. But all of these are 200% subject to the laws of physics.
For instance, some people can increase the light reflected by their bodies through rigorous meditation and Yogic practices, making them invisible. Yet, even though invisible to human eyes, they have not disappeared in the true sense. They are just cloaking themselves with light. So, they obviously can’t walk through any opaque object because that’s against the law of physics.
Frankly, Yogic Siddhi feels like a waste of time to me. They only serve to divert our attention away from the spiritual path. Sometimes, though, Nature automatically bestows them on us, perhaps because it believes we will need them for some major purpose. I speak from experience since I have received two or three Yogic Siddhis despite doing nothing to earn them.
2) Vak Siddhi
Vak, an epithet of Devi Sarasvati, means speech. Vak Siddhi, the accomplishment of speech means speaking mindful and measured words. If someone can do this effortlessly, confidently, and without resorting to self-doubts, they have reached a milestone in their spiritual evolution.
Another aspect of Vak Siddhi is the practice of kind, compassionate, and truthful speech. When we do this, our words become potent and even begin to materialize. I have personally experienced this to the point where I am forced to watch my tongue constantly.
This is not a Siddhi we can hanker after. It happens on its own as a result of the consistent practice of measured, confident, and truthful words. Whether we get powers or not, I encourage everyone to focus on Vak Siddhi because practicing the virtue of truth always gives us peace.
3) Maha Siddhi
If there is one Siddhi worth seeking, this is it. Fortunately, Maha Siddhi is something that everyone can achieve. However, this does not imply that it is easy. Nothing can be attained without diligent work, and this is no exception.
At a high level, Maha Siddhi has three significant accomplishments: self-discovery, liberation, and Samadhi.
Of these, I have spoken about Samadhi before, which means a feeling of oneness with Divine Energy.
Self-discovery, or the Discovery of Our Truth, means unearthing and understanding our spiritual potential. In short, we find answers to questions about ourselves through mindful, measured, and controlled thinking rather than overthinking.
Liberation is a state in which we have transcended rebirth. It happens when a person has no more desires. And to have no desires, we must go through a spiritual grind of self-purification, building mindfulness, gaining the ability to drop thoughts at will, etc.
My Two Cents Worth
Yogic Siddhi, miracles, and spiritual experiences are like pickles in a meal, not the main course itself. These are bestowed upon a person by the divine based on what they need for their spiritual transformation.
While these experiences can be awe-inspiring, putting too much emphasis on them might lead to an inaccurate sense of spirituality. For instance, if we crave what someone else received, we must suffer the same sorrow they had, causing a dent in our spiritual growth.
Ultimately, to attain Maha Siddhi, one must overcome the desire for all other types of Siddhi and spiritual experiences. It is almost as if Divine Energy only wants to go to those who genuinely want Her rather than the gifts She can offer!
Love,
Sri Devi Om
