Beyond the Ordinary

Clairvoyance, telepathy, past-life memories, levitation, bilocation, telekinesis, communication with animals, super hearing: Such phenomena have been part of Buddhist culture since its earliest history, and they continue to captivate our imaginations and inform beliefs and practices. Yet, despite their allure, modern academics and skeptics often relegate these phenomena to the fringe, dismissing them as strange or outright nonsense. In their recent book, Paranormal States: Psychic Abilities in Buddhist Convert Communities, D. E. Osto, a senior lecturer in philosophy at Massey University, confronts this skepticism head-on. With a wealth of firsthand accounts and original survey research, Osto brings readers into the heart of these mysteries, making a compelling case for taking paranormal experiences seriously as meaningful aspects of human spirituality. 

From renowned teachers like Karma Lekshe Tsomo to everyday lay practitioners, Osto presents a range of stories that showcase the paranormal as an integral part of the contemporary Buddhist experience, specifically within communities of Buddhist converts. They throw light on how contemporary Buddhists understand and incorporate extraordinary experiences into their spiritual practices. By adopting this approach, they avoid religious dogmatism and scientific reductionism, treating firsthand experiences as culturally and psychologically consequential, even if they elude scientific explanation. Osto’s study delves into how practitioners wrestle with these phenomena as personal revelations and events that challenge or disrupt their moral values.

Paranormal States: Psychic Abilities in Buddhist Convert Communities
by D. E. Osto
Columbia University Press, 2024, 336 pp., $30.00, paper

One of the book’s great strengths lies in the fascinating stories it tells. The interviewees, all convert Buddhists, recount experiences that are as haunting as they are transformative. Some describe precognitive dreams of specific events before they happen; others feel visited by long-dead relatives; and certain meditators report moments of telepathic insight during intense retreats. The specificity of these accounts adds depth—for example, a teacher sharing an out-of-body experience during meditation or a parent sensing their child’s distress before receiving any communication. What makes these stories compelling is how the experiencer interprets them through Buddhist frameworks. Concepts like karma, rebirth, and the nature of consciousness provide a structure for understanding the extraordinary without rejecting the everyday. The paranormal, Osto argues, isn’t something separate from Buddhism; it’s part of the tradition’s living folklore, woven into the lives and practices of contemporary practitioners.

Consider Karma Lekshe Tsomo’s story. A prominent Buddhist scholar and nun, Tsomo shares how, during meditation, she experienced vivid moments of clairvoyance. One occurred during an intensive retreat where she saw events involving her family far away, which were later confirmed to have happened. This experience left a profound impact, blending both wonder and the ethical questions often accompanying psychic phenomena in Buddhist practice. For Tsomo, these experiences weren’t merely an intellectual curiosity; they reinforced her commitment to the compassionate and selfless principles at the heart of her spiritual path.

Osto’s exploration goes beyond captivating stories, engaging with Buddhist philosophy and Western science to bridge two often conflicting ways of knowing. The opening chapter offers a historical overview of psychic phenomena in Buddhist thought, tracing their roots back to Indian Buddhism, where miraculous powers—like mind-reading and levitation—were seen as natural outcomes of deep meditative practice. Osto provides specific historical examples, such as the iddhis (supernatural powers) discussed in the Pali canon, where advanced monks could supposedly walk through walls or know others’ thoughts. Osto connects these ancient beliefs to the personal accounts of their interviewees, illustrating how Buddhist ideas have adapted to new cultural contexts in the West. This historical perspective enriches our understanding of how psychic phenomena evolved across early Buddhism, Mahayana, and tantric traditions while introducing key Buddhist concepts and metaphysics.

Modern science’s skepticism is also taken to task. Osto argues that Western science dismisses the paranormal not due to lack of interest or evidence but because such phenomena challenge the assumption that consciousness is a mere by-product of the brain. If the mind is purely flesh and blood, experiences like telepathy or precognition cannot exist. Osto provides examples of this tension, referencing neuroscience’s difficulty in explaining phenomena like the “sense of being stared at” or the uncanny accuracy of some precognitive dreams. They suggest that this dismissal reveals more about the limitations of scientific thinking than the validity of these experiences. While Osto doesn’t offer conclusive answers, they emphasize that these phenomena deserve serious consideration—not only as cultural artifacts but also as meaningful lived experiences.

Despite claims of a “disenchanted” world, Osto maintains that the paranormal has always fascinated Western culture. They explore ongoing efforts in Western paranormal research, covering topics like psychic phenomena, mediumship, near-death experiences (NDEs), out-of-body experiences, ghosts, and even UFOs. The work of renowned scientists, philosophers, and institutions—from historical figures like Isaac Newton, Marie Curie, and Sigmund Freud to contemporary university labs and government initiatives like the CIA’s Stargate Project—underscores the sustained interest in these phenomena. Although scientific studies have yielded mixed results, Osto notes that anecdotal accounts—such as NDE survivors or children’s detailed past-life memories—suggest that consciousness may extend beyond the brain.

Osto’s decision to explore these experiences phenomenologically and ethnographically is central to their proposal of a dialogue between religious experiences and empirical inquiry. Rather than asking whether these events are objectively “real,” Osto asks what they mean to those who experience them. This method aligns with Buddhist philosophy in valuing personal experience over metaphysical speculation. Just as early Buddhist texts speak of meditation leading to insights beyond conventional understanding, Osto suggests that paranormal experiences are part of this continuum. Their goal isn’t to prove or disprove these phenomena but to explore and honor their transformative power for those who encounter them.

The paranormal isn’t something separate from Buddhism: It’s part of the tradition’s living folklore.

As Tsomo’s story illustrates, Osto discusses many Buddhists’ inner struggles when sharing their paranormal abilities. For instance, a meditation teacher might hesitate to reveal a moment of telepathic clarity, fearing it could be perceived as arrogance or interpreted as evidence of spiritual attainment. These experiences draw on Buddhist moral frameworks that emphasize humility and nonattachment. Practitioners worry that public acknowledgment might foster spiritual pride or attract followers seeking miracles over wisdom. Additionally, stories of psychic phenomena can lead to unintended consequences, such as donations to individuals seen as spiritually powerful or the creation of informal hierarchies within communities. These power dynamics, Osto notes, reflect real tensions in contemporary Buddhist practice and raise concerns about accruing negative karma.

Paranormal States resonates deeply through its examination of the intersection between spirituality and modern life. The interviewees are everyday people—professionals, teachers, parents—whose spiritual practices are woven into their daily lives. For them, the paranormal isn’t just an intellectual pursuit; it’s an integral part of their spiritual journey, offering moments of insight, challenge, and transformation. A parent might recount how a sudden telepathic vision helped avert an accident, or a teacher might describe a dream that guided a life decision. Osto’s portrayal of these individuals is respectful and compassionate, highlighting the courage it takes to share such personal, often vulnerable, stories. 

The book also raises important questions about the significance of narrative in shaping our understanding of reality. Osto suggests that the stories we tell—whether ancient myths or personal accounts of unusual experiences—play a crucial role in making sense of the world. The paranormal becomes a space where new narratives emerge, challenging conventional thinking and opening up possibilities for new ways of being.

The innovative use of analyzing personal narratives through Buddhist perspectives sets the book apart, focusing on how paranormal experiences are interpreted rather than proven. The original survey research enriches the narrative with personal stories, such as those of Rick Repetti, a meditation teacher with profound telepathic experiences, and Kat Smith, whose psychic abilities flourished within Thai occult practices. There is a subtle tension that makes the work both exciting and, at times, frustrating, allowing these extraordinary experiences to speak for themselves. Readers won’t find a conclusive argument about the reality of paranormal experiences. By resisting this temptation, Osto captures something essential about the paranormal and the spiritual path: Some questions cannot be answered, only explored, encouraging readers to rethink the boundaries between science, religion, and subjective experience.

The personal touch brought to Paranormal States makes it exceptionally engaging. In the preface and postscript, Osto shares parts of their spiritual journey, including moments of altered consciousness and paranormal encounters. This personal invitation for readers to view these stories as meaningful reflections of lived experience rather than just data enriches the narrative. Through their exploration, Osto shows us that the paranormal can bridge different worldviews, fostering a sense of wonder that resonates with spiritual practices and personal journeys. Encouraging us to rethink rigid perspectives on science and religion, they open our minds to the possibility that the extraordinary is part of our reality.