Beyond The Siddhis: Supernatural Powers and the Sutras of Patanjali

After reading this book, you realize the true nature of a mysterious subject.........and then it no longer is mysterious.This is how all mysterious phenomena are: once they are explained by someone who possesses knowledge of them, then these phenomenon are no longer mysterious.

It is an unexpected point of view, but a refreshing one.I recommend this book to all soul explorers.

I don't generally write reviews however I was disappointed in this book. The author does have his own slant on the writings of Patanjali. Obviously he believes that Patanjali did not mean that you could realistically obtain these abilities. I don't believe that he has taken the time to really understand what the possibilities might be for individuals to obtain greater awareness and as a result greater abilities. Everything that Patanjali writes about is possible and obtainable.

This little book reminds me of the old Readers' Digest digests that one left on the commode. If you're in a hurry, and seek only the most ephemeral of companionship with THAT, then this book is for you. Otherwise, keep on shoppin'....

I'll just say this I'll never forget when my friend who doesn't believe in nothing when it comes to mysticism, occult and barely anything religious...his father went on a 9 day silent meditation retreat in the Himalayas, when he returned he said his father who just like him ( my friend talks alot and I mean alot) was a very obnoxious and talkative person very impulsive but he was very quiet and he knew something was up with him .....so he asked him what's wrong why are you so quiet, he said well not speaking in 9 days takes some adjusting but aside from that I saw some things while I was at that retreat.So he says to his father "like what"? And his father says I saw an old man LEVITATE.My friend said he threw every skeptic assumption in the book at his pops, everything from they put something in his food, his drink or some type of psychedelic incense etcHe said his pops looked at him right dead in his eyes and said I don't care what you say and what you think,I Know what I saw.Me personally I'm an avid meditator I do it for the sense of peace, calmness, focus, and self control it gives me I've been meditating for about two years 20 mins twice a dayI've never really focused on the siddhis ( i am I big star wars fan tho lol) but hearing this story from my friend was like a big boost of motivation/confirmationI interrogated him as well because I mentally archive these stories and I don't pass them on, unless I'm pretty sure the person is telling the truth, I have other stories tooBut at any rate I'm sharing this to say that the author has made a conclusion based off of his own experience and logic he's not to blameBlessings...

As other reviewers have already pointed out the author makes a vain attempt to reduce the siddhis to nothing more than shifts in our everyday perception; no more than cryptic word games. The Author's conclusions are utterly ludicrous and are reached through no reasonable amount of logic whatsoever. He tries to explain away and pronounce dead wrong things that 2500 years of Indian scholars and Yogic Ascetics know to be fact. This is by far and away the most ignorant, westernized interpretation of any area of Yoga I have ever seen. I wouldn't be speaking so harshly if it weren't entirely warranted. Trust me. If you want to learn about The Eight-Fold Path and the Siddhis I highly suggest you look elsewhere.

The foundation of yoga, we learn in John McAfee's brilliant new book, Beyond the Siddhis, began somewhere between 2500 and 5000 years ago. It was then that the focus of humankind shifted from learning to do (build, hunt, sow ) to identity i.e. "Who am I?"The Sutras of Patanjali, written about 2500 years ago in Sanskrit, are the earliest writings (siddhis) about not only the nature of consciousness, but the New Age mysticism dealing with magic rituals and supernatural powers so popular today. Prolific author and seeker John McAfee's intent "...is to peel back the layers of words that hides the truth beneath the Siddhis." As you read this fine work, you will see he does this quite effectively.Beyond the Siddhis is filled with truths and understanding. Patanjali's discussions of the Siddhis, originally called Vibhuti Pada, can be confusing, but Mr. McAfee sorts it out easily. Our relationship with the present moment "...becomes a tool that we use to create some future reality in which we will be something different."We learn that the past, present and future are not real. Only the eternal now exists. The process of becoming is an illusion. Mr. McAfee writes, "The true beauty of Patanjali's writing is that when we stop living in the past and future, when we stop creating images in our minds and living within them, then all time becomes now." This is the real, the true, in which we can live fully.Beyond the Siddhis is a masterful book about attainment. John McAfee, author of The Secret of the Yamas (see my review), guides the reader to awareness, compassion, love and the means to ease the suffering in your existence. It sheds a brilliant light on the core of ourselves!

I've been studying yoga and meditation for nearly 20 years and this is the first book about Patanjali's Sutras that makes spiritual sense that I have read. McAfee describes, step by step, the way to inner knowledge by using the sutras as a vehicle. His insight is amazing. He shows us what we truly are and intimately links the siddhis to our everyday life in a way that knowledge of death, invisibility or mastery of time becomes a true power in a sense far beyond the traditional "supernormal powers" interpretation of the siddhis.This is an amazing book with astonishing implications. A must read for every Yogi.

very good book enjoyed reading it . The subject was dealt with in a concise manner . Delivery was good and the seller very very helpful i recommend it