<p>It is inappropriate to ask such questions, because they unequivocally end in an argument which is basically the same as trying to convince someone in the 14th century of how an aeroplane works. It simply isn't possible to explain without the experience.
<p>Imagine trying to describe the colour blue to someone who has not seen it.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-12T22:08:04.577Z
Well said mate.
sova
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-19T17:15:51.227Z
2015-09-19T17:15:51.227Z
Sam Reeve
<p>I believe you can directly look into thought when you develop <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhij%C3%B1%C4%81" rel="nofollow noreferrer">abhiññā</a>. But at a lesser level meditation increases your ability sense the moods and emotions of people around you (spiritual awareness). This can happen though vipassana also as you stay contemplating internally and externally.</p>

<p>4 Modes of Mind reading as per <a href="http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/14.14-Sampasadaniya-S-d28-piya.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Sampasadanīya Sutta</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Mind-reading
  Furthermore, bhante, unsurpassable is the Dharma that the Blessed One teaches concerning
  mind-reading. Bhante, there are these four modes of mind-reading:</p>
  
  <p>(1) Here, bhante, by means of a sign, one declares: ‘Thus is your mind: this is in your mind; such is
  your thought.’ And however many such declarations he makes, they are exactly so, not otherwise.
  This is the first mode of mind-reading.</p>
  
  <p>(2) Furthermore, bhante, one does not make his declarations by means of a sign, but after listening to
  the sounds of humans, of non-humans, or of devas, having heard their sounds, one declares, ‘Thus is your
  mind: this is in your mind; such is your thought.’ And however many such declarations he makes, they
  are exactly so, not otherwise.
  This is the second mode of mind-reading.</p>
  
  <p>(3) Furthermore, bhante, one does not make his declarations by means of a sign, nor after having
  heard voices of humans, of non-humans, or of devas, but from having initially applied and sustained
  his mind, listening to the sound of a person’s thought-vibrations,
  one declares, ‘Thus is your mind: this
  is in your mind; such is your thought.’ And however many such declarations he makes, they are exactly
  so, not otherwise.
  This is the third mode of mind-reading.</p>
  
  <p>(4) Furthermore, bhante, one does not make his declarations by means of a sign, nor after heard
  voices of humans, of non-humans, or of devas, nor by listening to the sound of a person’s thought-vibrations,
  nor from having initially applied and sustained his mind, and listening to the sound of a person’s
  thought-vibrations, but by a samadhi free from initial application and sustained application, one knows
  the mind of another with his own, thus:
  ‘By the way the mental formations of this good man are inclined, the depth of that mind will think
  such and such a thought.’
  And however many such declarations he makes, they are exactly so, not otherwise.
  This is the fourth mode of mind-reading.
  With regards to mind-reading, bhante, this is unsurpassable.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-22T19:00:07.660Z
2015-12-23T05:34:46.020Z
2018-08-14T22:06:13.773Z
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
<p>Could anyone share your experience and knowledge? People who have attained strong concentration have the ability to read other people's mind. My question is, what is the 'knowing'? Do they read other people based on what they feel? For example, one person concentrates his mind on a person, when his mind is calm, other people's mind will be felt and reflected in his feeling. Is this correct? How do they know, based on what?</p>

<p>Any reply would be great, thanks.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-05T15:16:05.773Z
This question may not be appropriate for the format of this website, since the answer is quite opinionated. I believe it is no different from sensing that someone is angry - interpretations can be wrong too; it isn't always correct.
Buddho
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-06T00:40:39.827Z
Hi guys,
Thanks for the replies, appreciate that.
I’ve been thinking about this question for quite some time. There are moments where other people’s feelings become obvious to us. Is this by any means also a part of progress of the correct practice?  These feelings can also give us directions in our day to day life. Can we listen to those feelings?
Gr3
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-06T00:48:07.780Z
@Sri Lanka, thanks for the link.
On p. 402 "He penetrates with his mind the minds of other beings, of other persons, and understands them". Who understands them? Is it his own mind? How is it different to dibbacakkhu, is it the eyes who understand them or the mind?
Gr3
<jhana><meditation-effects><psychic-powers>
Jhanic concentration and feeling
# Jhanic concentration and feeling

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-08-05)

Could anyone share your experience and knowledge? People who have attained strong concentration have the ability to read other people's mind. My question is, what is the 'knowing'? Do they read other people based on what they feel? For example, one person concentrates his mind on a person, when his mind is calm, other people's mind will be felt and reflected in his feeling. Is this correct? How do they know, based on what?

Any reply would be great, thanks.

**Tags:** jhana, meditation-effects, psychic-powers

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: This question may not be appropriate for the format of this website, since the answer is quite opinionated. I believe it is no different from sensing that someone is angry - interpretations can be wrong too; it isn't always correct.  
> **username_0**: Hi guys, Thanks for the replies, appreciate that. I’ve been thinking about this question for quite some time. There are moments where other people’s feelings become obvious to us. Is this by any means also a part of progress of the correct practice?  These feelings can also give us directions in our day to day life. Can we listen to those feelings?  
> **username_0**: @Sri Lanka, thanks for the link. On p. 402 "He penetrates with his mind the minds of other beings, of other persons, and understands them". Who understands them? Is it his own mind? How is it different to dibbacakkhu, is it the eyes who understand them or the mind?  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-09-19. Score: 2

It is inappropriate to ask such questions, because they unequivocally end in an argument which is basically the same as trying to convince someone in the 14th century of how an aeroplane works. It simply isn't possible to explain without the experience.

Imagine trying to describe the colour blue to someone who has not seen it.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Well said mate.  

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### Answer by username_4 on 2015-12-22. Score: -1

I believe you can directly look into thought when you develop [abhiññā](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhij%C3%B1%C4%81). But at a lesser level meditation increases your ability sense the moods and emotions of people around you (spiritual awareness). This can happen though vipassana also as you stay contemplating internally and externally.

4 Modes of Mind reading as per [Sampasadanīya Sutta](http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/14.14-Sampasadaniya-S-d28-piya.pdf):

> Mind-reading
> Furthermore, bhante, unsurpassable is the Dharma that the Blessed One teaches concerning
> mind-reading. Bhante, there are these four modes of mind-reading:
>
> (1) Here, bhante, by means of a sign, one declares: ‘Thus is your mind: this is in your mind; such is
> your thought.’ And however many such declarations he makes, they are exactly so, not otherwise.
> This is the first mode of mind-reading.
>
> (2) Furthermore, bhante, one does not make his declarations by means of a sign, but after listening to
> the sounds of humans, of non-humans, or of devas, having heard their sounds, one declares, ‘Thus is your
> mind: this is in your mind; such is your thought.’ And however many such declarations he makes, they
> are exactly so, not otherwise.
> This is the second mode of mind-reading.
>
> (3) Furthermore, bhante, one does not make his declarations by means of a sign, nor after having
> heard voices of humans, of non-humans, or of devas, but from having initially applied and sustained
> his mind, listening to the sound of a person’s thought-vibrations,
> one declares, ‘Thus is your mind: this
> is in your mind; such is your thought.’ And however many such declarations he makes, they are exactly
> so, not otherwise.
> This is the third mode of mind-reading.
>
> (4) Furthermore, bhante, one does not make his declarations by means of a sign, nor after heard
> voices of humans, of non-humans, or of devas, nor by listening to the sound of a person’s thought-vibrations,
> nor from having initially applied and sustained his mind, and listening to the sound of a person’s
> thought-vibrations, but by a samadhi free from initial application and sustained application, one knows
> the mind of another with his own, thus:
> ‘By the way the mental formations of this good man are inclined, the depth of that mind will think
> such and such a thought.’
> And however many such declarations he makes, they are exactly so, not otherwise.
> This is the fourth mode of mind-reading.
> With regards to mind-reading, bhante, this is unsurpassable.


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