If we can travel at the speed of light, we will have the ability to know the future. This is proven by scientific and mathematical models as shown by Albert Einstein. We are intrigued by these because we are used to living in the three dimensional world. When the fourth or fifth dimension is involved, we become unclear and confused. For example, a person living in the two dimensional plateau, he will not understand another person who lives in the three dimensional world and who is able to climb. The person living in the three dimensional realm would appear to vanish when he begins to ascend and climbs up from the two dimensions into the third dimension. Just like the turtle suddenly disappeared from the water as it entered land where the fish can no longer see where the turtle disappeared to. This is an example of the so-called intriguing mysteries.

Similarly as we are living in a three-dimensional world, we would be amused and fascinated by occurrences and phenomena that are beyond this dimension. The existence beyond three dimensions is not something that we can understand easily because we cant see them. It is almost impossible for us to use our limited knowledge or perception to fully understand the aspect of the universe and hence we find that it is full of unexplained mysteries and supernatural forces.

Many people can see ghosts and we often hear from them that ghosts have the ability to enter and leave a room by going through the walls. This would be impossible for any human beings because we are confined within the three dimensions and would seem to be unnatural. This is an example of a dimension beyond the three dimensions. Once we understand the principle behind all these mysterious phenomena, they are actually not that intriguing. It is unnecessary for us to complicate ourselves in our spiritual cultivation by including the exploration of mysterious methodologies that are beyond our physical capability. There is a saying:

The path of pursuing truth is straightforward but human beings prefer the devious way.

This indicates the human tendency to overlook the precious essence within them but choose instead to pursue the external and irrelevant way. A light-hearted story about two friends who cultivated together in a monastery:

After a period of cultivation in the same monastery, the two friends decided to leave the monastery and go on their own separate ways in search of new experiences and cultivating techniques. They made a promise to meet each other three years later. Three years later they met again and the first one started to brag about all the abilities that he had acquired over the last three years. As they were talking, they came by a river and the boastful one then showed off his skill by walking on water to cross the river. While walking on the water he teased his friend for not being able to do the same. Without much choice, his friend paid fifty cents to hire a boatman to ferry him across the river.

When both reached the other side of the river, the proud cultivator said, You havent learned much over the last three years, have you? Looks like the ability I possess is far more superior than yours.

His friend simply responded, I feel so sorry for you because the ability you have spent three years of your life acquiring is only worth fifty cents.

In the teachings of Tao, the ability to do supernatural or extraordinary is not Tao. Tao is natural and normal. It is not about paranormal ability that can enable us to astral-travel or to see behind without having to turn our heads around. All these capabilities have no bearing in enhancing our understanding of Truth. Truth is about emanating the qualities and virtues of our inner nature and not the attainment of abilities from without.

This is the advice from my Heavenly Teacher JiGong:

Tao or Truth is not something rare and strange. I turn you into a beauty today and I turn you into a devil-like creature tomorrow. Then all of a sudden, I turn you into a ninety-nine year old man. All these are not Tao. Tao is to grow and mature naturally. Thus, you grow and mature naturally through learning and studying. Yet, dont expect yourself to become a great Buddha overnight and forget completely the worldly affairs. Then, doesnt it mean that we ask you to go home and be lost? You need to have wisdom to absorb and get your experience through learning. Collect your wisdom slowly then your virtuous nature will be the same as the Light Beings.

Although the sky speaks not, the sun, the moon and the stars never stop moving. Although the earth talks not, ten-thousand living things grow and ripen abundantly. Heaven speaks not and the earth talks not this is exactly the Truth and Principle. Why do ten-thousand living things grow? Why do the sun and the moon never stop circulating? This shows that a way to Truth does exist. Hence, you come to learn Tao, to probe into the true meaning of life and to go further into the ultimate (outcome) of life. If we dont make use of images and words to let you understand, it is not easy to comprehend. The books you are reading now are created by ancient people. Then the books that were created and handed down to you by the ancient people are actually telling you a road and a path for learning. Every matter must have its Truth and Principle, and they must have its longitudes and latitudes (rules and norms).

Author: T.A Chew