Beyond the Senses

The acceptance of the existence of deities, ghosts, and spirits can serve as an important foundation for the dharma. In more developed societies, these beliefs are dismissed as mere superstition, but in less developed areas such as some African countries, they are still widely held. These beliefs can be very helpful for the dharma to take root in such cultures.

Personally, I believe that supernatural phenomena exist (I do not consider them to be mere superstitions). Having faith in them is crucial for those who wish to practise the dharma, as it is an acknowledgement that our sensory experience does not represent the entirety of reality; that there are things beyond what we can perceive through our senses. Such a perspective is valuable for the dharma as a large part of what we are learning in the dharma is also beyond our ordinary perception.

As we come to a fuller understanding of the dharma, we will stop relying solely on our eyes and other senses for deciding what is real or not.

12th February 2023, Thrangu Sekhar Retreat Centre, Nepal