Abstract

Yoga can throw light on paranormal phenomena. In the Patanjala yoga, mind is described as a continuous stream of functions flowing into 5 stages: (1) Ksipta; (2) mudha; (3) viksipta, occasionally steady; (4) ekagra concentrated; and (5) nirudha, withdrawn. In the 4th and the 5th stages mind is withdrawn from the objects and concentrated on 1 of the objects. In the 4th the mind gets the conscious ecstacy (samprajanta samadhi) and in the last 3 is the supra-conscious state of ecstacy. Among the Buddhists, Anurudoha divides consciousness into 2 levels: subliminal consciousness and supraliminal consciousness, which is supernormal consciousness. The yogi has to pass through 3 stages in the supraliminal consciousness: (1) rupacitta where he sees visible and material forms. Clairvoyance may be included in this form of experience. (2) Arupacitta- -In this stage the yogi sees things which are invisible and formless. (3) In the final stage of lokottaracitta, he reaches the stage of transcendental consciousness which is above the 3 worlds. This may be compared to omniscience, in bodhi.