This world was not created for the sake of miracles taking place. This is why in “Zen” one speaks of the miracle of chopping wood and carrying water. Ramana Maharshi said the only miracle is in purifying a person's mind. - We attain the physical body for a purpose. Things are not accidental. - Jesus performed a lot of miracles, but this was not the centre of his teaching.
- It seems people think spirituality has to do with performing things contemporary science is still unable to explain. I recall I read in some Yoga book - before I got interested in the issue, - I think, - that spirituality does not have to do with psychic phenomena, and it seemed strange to me. I don't know how old I was. - Things here are not aimed at us moving mountains from place to place, or flying up in the air. - Working on one's inherent character is much more significant. - Though I don't think any working on improving one's character even if successful could be said to be on the spiritual level. Though again it does get you somewhere, related or unrelated, - as it seems.
Our abilities here on Earth are as they were meant to be, - we might guess. - We live our lives. Some live in a monastery or a temple or some other place of training. - Some have more significant lives and some less. - We learn in our lives. Master Dogen was continually using the term learn in practice. (At least in Nishijima's translation) The practical fact is this world enables us to achieve what can not be achieved in the same manner in higher worlds. - Whichever powers beings there might have, (and I really don't know this much about what exactly those will be) without a human body a most essential aim is fundamentally unattainable. (There is a most extraordinary story about a cow who has arrived at it, in the ashram of Ramana Maharshi mentioned above - as far as I know, - but this is quite off the issue here and probably far more extraordinary than many might even guess) It may be natural to assume that for plants it is natural to be plants and for animals natural to be animals, - but it is not them that we are discussing here. - My point is that attaining miraculous powers for our everyday lives is not to be considered what our lives are to be aimed at and not what guided spiritual practice will view as its aim either.
Whatever we get here might contribute to our abilities subsequently after we leave this this world for good, - but attaining supernatural abilities here and now is fundamentally beside the point. - The abilities we do have enable us to strive toward what is meaningful. - It may have been very convenient if I could just pop myself in a flash from Israel to whichever place I would like in Japan, - but still this not our thing. - Some stories in Buddhism emphasize this point. Jesus walked on water but it is not walking on water that makes him Jesus. Ignorant people could be prompted to believe through viewing miracles. Kalo, more or less, - relates to two incidents where he did what he did at a time a student of his was in a danger of life. - Generally centring on such things as gaining abilities as referred to here in what claims to be spiritual practice may be a good reason to keep off. Some abilities will be gained, - light or significant, - but not understanding this is not what the school teaches is a fundamental mistake. I am trying not to just say you should merely improve your mentality but this is the most central and significant route, - I guess. - I know “Zen” - as much as I do, - and I have some familiarity with Kalo's teaching, (DAT) and what Jesus says in the Bible is open to all. - I sometimes wondered as for what Jesus is saying in Matthew 17:20 and Mark 11:23, - what use is it moving mountains as referred to there, - but he didn't recommend to do so, - he just mentioned what he did. - Compare to Matthew 20:20-23, - where the most significant true achievement is what is requested, - and in contradiction with the emphasised ease where no more than as much faith as a mustard seed is said to be in need, - here the greatest of men proved unable unless conditions are ready.
I thought this post would be easier. - I thought it would be easier to explain. - An inherent significant attainment is not necessarily manifested as those unfamiliar with things might childishly assume. - Though no doubt some might have abilities even beyond what some ignorants might assume or expect, - but those would not use them.
Working on something within yourself is different from getting those things this post is to refer to. - Improving your own character is not necessarily always on the same level. - In secular circles it is likely to be shallow. Though people going through the holocaust might obviously have gone through a very meaningful experience without spiritual practice. - Some refer to drugs as something spiritual. I find it ridiculous. - Yoga practice is for example different from what I know. I could not refer to this Kundalini issue, - I don't know about it. - But inherently and significantly deepening into yourself and purifying your being under the guidance of a true teacher is meaningful. Need it be said? - Thinking becoming able to move things without touching them or predict the results of a coming lottery are what a person's worthwhile aim as designated in human life could be, - is going all the wrong way and missing the point most of humanity does miss anyway. So far.
