A Time to Fly

Today, I received the confirmation for my admission to the pranayama intensive in November.

It is time to fly.

Laghima, the ability to become weightless, is one of the eight mahasiddhas or great perfections that yogins attain once the practice of pranayama has been perfected as mentioned in the old hatha texts.

The 8 mahasiddhas are:

1. Anima - the power to become as small as an atom.
2. Laghima - the ability to become weightless.
3. Mahima - the ability to become as big as the Universe.
4. Garima - the ability to become very heavy.
5. Prapti - the ability to reach any place as per will and within no time.
6. Prakamya - the ability to fullfil all desire through will.
7. Vashitva - the ability to control the elements.
8. Ishtatva - the ability to create and destroy the objects at will.

It is good to gain knowledge about all these psychic powers but to make it the main goal of one's yoga practice is considered to be an obstacle to the path.

Whether or not these psychic powers will be attained in this lifetime doesn't really matter. The key is to live a good life and to use these different yogic techniques to help refine one's character.

Here is an article on the Eight Psychic Powers from Yoga Vidya Dham.