Here’s a look at the Abhinnas in Buddhist meditation compared to the Siddhis in yogic and Hindu traditions. We cover what they are, meanings, origins, differences, and a detailed table comparing them.
Vern Note
Pre-meditation, pre-jhana, and pre-abhinna, I was one of the most logical, objective-minded people you could ever know. I believed only in the rational. I believed only in things that made sense according to my worldview and experiences. Though I’d had a multiple UFO sighting with my family around age 10, I was willing to overlook that as bad memory in adulthood. Then in adulthood my first experience with something bizarre and outside my current belief system was when my wife spoke in tongues as I held her in the kitchen of our walkup in New York City when I was 21 years old.
Later, in graduate school I heard a very clear auditory voice that was not mine say “Alex needs teaching.” Then in another few minutes, “See what you can do.”
From the age of 21 I couldn’t ignore that there were multiple phenomena I couldn’t begin to understand or rationalize. When my first Abhinna experience arrived, it absolutely destroyed my idea of what reality really is. Like my ignorance of what Jhana was, the idea that there were anything like Abhinnas – supernatural type experiences – that could allow me to see and feel my unborn child’s soul, was shocking.
You can read more about my Abhinna Experiences and what it is here >
Abhinnas vs. Siddhis – A Deep Comparison
In Buddhist meditation, Abhinnas (Pali: Abhiññā) are considered higher knowledge or supernatural abilities that arise through deep meditation, especially in advanced jhana states. These abilities are not the goal of meditation but are considered byproducts of intense concentration and insight.
In Hindu and yogic traditions, the Siddhis are similar – supernatural powers gained through meditation, mantra practice, or devotion. The concept comes from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and other Hindu texts.
Both systems describe extraordinary abilities like telepathy, seeing distant places, and remembering past lives. However, their purpose and interpretation differ. Buddhism often warns against getting attached to these powers, while Hinduism sometimes is more accepting and sees them as milestones on the spiritual path.
What Are the Abhinnas?
In Theravāda Buddhism, the six Abhinnas arise as a function of deep concentration (Samadhi) and the experience of the fourth jhana and beyond.
- Iddhi-Vidha (Supernatural Powers) – The ability to fly, walk on water, pass through walls, multiply the body, etc.
- * Dibba-Sota (Divine Ear) – Hearing sounds beyond normal human range, including deva or spirit realms.
- * Cetopariya-Ñana (Mind-Reading) – Knowing the thoughts of others.
- Pubbe-Nivasanussati (Recollection of Past Lives) – Remembering past existences in detail.
- * Dibba-Cakkhu (Divine Eye) – Seeing things at vast distances, including unborn souls arising and passing, and being reborn.
- Asavakkhaya-Ñana (Destruction of Mental Defilements) – The highest knowledge, leading to enlightenment and the end of suffering.
Asterisks denote Abhinnas I’ve experienced. The Divine Ear is the one I referred to in my introduction at the top of the page. Though not having reached the Jhanas at that stage, the auditory voice was very clear and unmistakably from my own mind or outside it. I never heard another voice like it since, so I’m inclined to believe it originated outside me.
Buddhism teaches that only the sixth Abhinna leads to Nirvana, while the others can be seen as distractions.
What Are the Siddhis?
Siddhis appear in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavata Purana, and Tantric texts. They are often associated with kundalini awakening, mantra recitation, and deep meditation.
- Anima – Shrinking the body to microscopic size.
- Mahima – Expanding the body to a gigantic size.
- Laghima – Becoming weightless.
- Prapti – Instantaneous travel or reaching distant places.
- Prakamya – Fulfillment of desires.
- Ishitva – Lordship over nature.
- Vashitva – Control over others.
- Kaivalya – Liberation from material existence.
Unlike Buddhism, some Hindu traditions embrace Siddhis as a sign of progress, though advanced teachers still warn against attachment to them.
Major Differences Between Abhinnas and Siddhis
| Aspect | Abhinnas (Buddhist Powers) | Siddhis (Hindu/Yogic Powers) |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Jhana (Deep Concentration) | Mantras, Kundalini, Tapas (Austerities) |
| Purpose | Support insight, but ultimate goal is Nirvana | Can be milestones or distractions |
| View on Powers | Seen as distractions if attached to them | Sometimes pursued deliberately |
| Highest Power | Ending all defilements (Arahantship) | Kaivalya (Ultimate Liberation) |
| Mind-Reading | Yes, Cetopariya-Ñana | Yes, telepathic powers exist |
| Seeing the Future | Limited (Dibba-Cakkhu sees rebirths but not all events) | Some yogis claim full future vision |
| Teleportation | Yes, Iddhi-Vidha | Yes, Prapti |
| Controlling Others | No | Yes, Vashitva |
| Changing Size | No | Yes, Anima & Mahima |
| Flying | Yes, Iddhi-Vidha | Yes, Laghima |
| Remembering Past Lives | Yes, Pubbe-Nivasanussati | Yes, advanced yogis claim this |
| Destroying Karmic Defilements | Yes, Asavakkhaya-Ñana | No direct equivalent |
| Final Liberation | Nirvana (End of rebirth) | Kaivalya (Freedom from illusion) |
How These Powers Are Developed
In Buddhism
Abhinnas come from experiences in the Jhanas – especially the fourth one, with deep meditative absorption. The Buddha said he developed Abhinna through meditation alone, without external rituals or superstition.
In Hinduism/Yoga
Siddhis can come from mantra chanting, austerities (tapas), breath control (pranayama), or direct transmission from a guru. Some tantric traditions encourage specific rituals to gain them. (Vern note – please don’t think I’m endorsing all that is said here, this is taken from other sources of course. I know nothing about the Siddhis. I have no experience with them. For instance, direct transmission from a guru sounds like nonsense.)
Warnings from Masters
It’s interesting that people who had experienced Siddhis and Abhinna would caution others against their practice. The potential for getting obsessed with them is very strong I imagine. The quest for power using these supernatural gifts probably infects some people and they go on to use the gifts for both good and bad.
Buddhist View
- The Buddha explicitly warned against getting obsessed with psychic powers. He even discouraged monks from publicly displaying them.
- Only Asavakkhaya-Ñana, which destroys mental impurities, is truly beneficial.
Hindu/Yogic View
- Patanjali warns that Siddhis can become obstacles if the practitioner becomes ego-driven.
- Some traditions, like Advaita Vedanta, consider Siddhis a distraction from true enlightenment.
Final Thoughts
Both Abhinnas and Siddhis describe extraordinary mental and physical abilities that advanced meditators may develop. However, the Buddhist path downplays these powers in favor of insight, while some Hindu traditions embrace them as milestones.
The biggest difference is that in Buddhism, only one power (the destruction of mental defilements) matters, while in yoga, different Siddhis might be cultivated for their own sake.
If you’ve had personal experiences with these abilities, I would love to hear about them. As you might guess, I have to believe that at least some of them are true. The teleportation Abhinna isn’t something I’m likely going to ever believe, but who knows? I do know that some of them are real and possible.
[Image-Top: Sorry, this is a bizarre image created by AI that didn’t follow my prompt in its entirety! Welcome to 2025. Hope it’s going to get much better soon.]
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