ONCE upon a time long, long ago, there lived a great sage and teacher. In those days esoteric knowledge was not openly available to all, instead one had to find a teacher who was willing and able to impart this knowledge and apprentice oneself to him. Such a man was the sage of this story and he would take only three pupils at a time for ten year periods. This sage lived in a forest with his three pupils.
Ten years passed and the students were told that their education was complete and they could leave. They came in turn to receive his blessing, and with offering of fruit and flowers. The first student approached the master for approval and permission to go out into the world and take up the work he had learned.
“And what have you learned?” The master asked.
“Revered one,” answered the student, “I have learned to conjure gold and precious jewels out of the air. I have learned to make myself invisible. I have learned to transport my body to any place that my mind can imagine.”
“And are you content?” Asked the sage.
“Oh yes great one.” Answered the student.
“Then go with my blessing.”
The next student came along with his offering of fruits and flowers. The question put to him by the sage was the same and the answer was nearly the same.
“And are you content?” Asked the sage.
“Oh more than content great one.”
“Then go with my blessing.”
The third man presented himself and he too had learned all the knowledge that the other two had acquired.
“And are you content?” Asked the sage.
The man stood with his head bowed but did not reply.
“What troubles you?” Asked the sage.
“I have learned all these tricks,” answered the man, “but what has that to do with spiritual wisdom?”
The sage smiled at him. “Come with me,” he said. “You I will teach.”
Editor’s note: In the Yoga Sutras, the sage Patanjali also warns against being deluded with yogic powers. Again and again, over the ages, we have repeatedly been warned that yogic powers are just the side show and not the real deal. They are the final gate we must pass through on our way to to our deeper Self. Why delude ourselves with puny pleasures when the treasures of Self are waiting to be unfolded into our being?
Related: Six Things Not Yoga
Credit: The source of this story is unkown. This came to us via e-mail.