Question

A former partner confided in me that they believed they had super powers. People, including the Buddha have been attributed with special powers - levitation, etc. - in the past. I guess it could happen, however I found it freaked me out to come to terms with the idea that this person thought they could change the course of a hurricane to protect a loved one. I got very confused and didn't know how to react. While wishing to be open-minded, it seemed crazy. How would you react, think and say in such a situation, assuming you want to keep a good relationship?

Answer

Somebody says to me, "I have a good friend, they have special powers, they can stop a hurricane if they want." I might say, "Oh, I'd like to see that."

I would doubt them of course, because there's no one in recorded history who ever stopped a hurricane. Even the Buddha never tried. But it'd be interesting, yes it certainly would be interesting to meet someone with special powers and to actually see them do it. So, it's fair enough from my perspective to say to them, "Can you show me?"

If a person claims they can levitate, ask them to show you. Why not? Of course, most people won't be able to show you.

But as to how I would react, I would have a lot of doubt and uncertainty, and I would want to have it proved to me, like in the Kalama Sutta. Don't believe something just because somebody tells you. Don't believe it because it's a famous person, or any other reason, but prove it for yourself, or have that person show you they can actually do it. Then you can go, "Oh, wow! That's neat."

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