Levitation

Rigorous spiritual practices, including transcendental meditation, have been claimed to result in levitation of the body with apparent overcoming of the force of gravity. This may be spontaneous and uncontrolled or intentional.

The TM-Sidhi technique of the Maharishi is said so to enhance mind-body coordination that the body fulfils any intention of the mind. This includes lifting effortlessly into the air while seated in the lotus position. Since maximum EEG coherence is created just before the body lifts into the air, yogic flying may be said to be the fullest extension of the highly integrated, effective way of functioning. If mind-body coordination is not perfect then the body rapidly returns to earth and there is the phenomenon of "hopping". A more advanced stage is floating and the final stage is sustained flight. Allowing one's conscious mind to settle down and become identified with the unified field generates coherence in both individual and collective consciousness and the technique is postulated as a basis for world peace.

The TM-Sidhi technique is the most up-to-date version of a phenomenon that has been widely reported throughout history. Not only in Buddhist and Hindu traditions, but also among Christian saints, levitation has been taken to be a sign that the person has reached a high degree of holiness. However, many teachers, including Patanjali, warn that too much attention to siddhis can be a distraction.