The First Base of Miraculous Powers: Desire

Week of April 3, 2005 – The First Base of Miraculous Powers: Desire

Following the Four Right Efforts (Four Right Exertions/Four Correct Endeavors) are the Four Bases of Miraculous Powers; these are the nine to twelve aids (third sets) to enlightenment.

In the Theravada tradition, the Four Bases of Miraculous Powers are:

Base of power endowed with concentration founded on desire and the fabrications of exertion.
Base of power endowed with concentration founded on persistence and the fabrications of exertion.
Base of power endowed with concentration founded on intent and the fabrications of exertion.
Base of power endowed with concentration founded on discrimination and the fabrications of exertion.

In the Mahayana tradition, the Four Bases of Miraculous Powers are:

Desire Power - the strong aspiration to gain excellent meditation.
Effort Power - vigorous effort to gain excellent meditation.
Concentration Power- intense concentration, the gaining of control over thought.
Wisdom Power- intense contemplation and the good function of analytical meditation.

After we have diligently practiced contemplation based on the Fourfold Stages of Mindfulness, and we have put them into action and incorporated them into our daily lives following the guidelines of the Four Right Efforts, the natural and rightful consequences are the Four Bases of Miraculous Powers. These four miraculous powers are the changes that occur to a practitioner resulting from practicing concentration. They are the byproducts of cultivation.

The most noticeable and physical change is the diminishing of earthly desires; for example, food, sleep and sex. The body undergoes physical change; it becomes less confined by the external environment, as well as much more flexible in physical reaction. This does not mean that one will lose interest in external attributes, just that the craving or desire for them is low or non-existent. One still sleeps, eats and makes love if one chooses to, but it is more by choice and less by necessity. One does not practice to attain this power, yet this power provides us with a good yardstick to measure our progression along the Bodhi Path.

While the desire for physical needs decreases, the desire for spiritual or intellectual satisfaction increases. The aspiration to find out the meaning of our existence, the Truth of life, the boundless power of our mind and the possibility of traveling within different dimensions becomes strong. The vast compassion and wisdom within us ignites; we become much more willing to accept challenges and to take on responsibilities.

We meditate so as to transform and surpass our worldly desires, yet our desire for excellent meditation grants us the driving force to continue; which is the cause and which is the effect? Cause and effect happen simultaneously, we do not have to wait until later to taste the result, if we know how to live in the moment.

Cultivation is a matter of effort; we must work and act on it continuously and whole-heartedly. Acquiring pure knowledge without putting it into action may do us more harm than good. So again, keep on practicing and enjoy doing it!