New month, new paramita! And this May, I’ll be practicing the ninth paramita, bala.

Bala is spiritual power. More specifically, in Buddhist tradition it is the cultivation of five powers, called the panchabala. These five powers are faith, zeal, recollection, absorption, and wisdom. I’ll be talking about each of these in posts to come. Some will be familiar to us, as they also number among the paramitas. (If you study Buddhism long enough, you’ll notice that themes and words circle around again and again.)

Spiritual power is also described by the word siddhi. These siddhi powers are enumerated in eight “mundane” powers and eight ultimate powers. And this is where things get…weird? Supernatural? These powers include transcendental wisdom and unconditional love- superpowers indeed, and ones most of us mortals don’t ever attain. But they also include things like levitation and healing touch. Honestly? I’m not really sure what to do about those.

I do appreciate what Lama Surya Das has to say about bala. He writes, “We exist in a universal energy field of mind and spirit that is capable of generating amazing wonders.” I can agree with that.

Bala comes to us when we have sufficiently attained a certain level of enlightenment. They come to us; we do not command them, control them, or direct them. But it is absolutely our responsibility to use them for good. As is true with all power, spiritual power can be used in corrupt ways. Bala comes to those who can be trusted to direct it beneficially. It is never meant to be used destructively or selfishly.

Bala presents itself to anyone of any spiritual tradition. It isn’t seen as a Buddhist power, but as spiritual power beyond any box. Anyone who exhibits spiritual power is to be revered and appreciated. I can agree with that, too.

I’m still working my mind around bala, so I guess it’s good to know I have a month to do so. I hope you’ll join me, and be open to what this concept of spiritual power might have to teach us.