<p>Ajahn Chah once answered this similar question with something like; "dung beetles can fly, what is so special about flying?".  He was asked if he could fly.  IMO ajahn Chah tried to say that the curiosity was misplaced and it would never lead to cessation or total liberation.  </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-10T21:48:07.303Z
2015-10-10T21:48:07.303Z
sargon
<p>This is actually nothing special to feel excited about. In Ayurvedic terms, when Vatha(air element) is imbalanced in the body, people tend to see dreams of flying. More information <a href="http://www.ashtangayogashala.net/index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id=202&amp;Itemid=165">here</a></p>

<p>On the other hand, the ability to fly through the air is just one of the many psychic feats an advanced meditator can perform. It has nothing to do with dreaming. It requires great dedication in the practice of Samatha meditation. <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nanamoli/PathofPurification2011.pdf">Visuddhimagga</a> explains how it can be achieved based on the 4th Jhana.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>If yes then why one should do this?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>It's the same reason why one gets into an airplane. To travel longer distances easily. According to the stories, in the past, monks with psychic powers have used this method to travel when they don't have a specific destination in mind. ex: when going on alms round. 
But if they want to go to a specific place, they would simply disappear from where they are and appear in the destination. 
Lord Buddha himself has said to have used this method when he visited Sri Lanka 3 times.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-10T04:51:49.327Z
do you have reference to a sutta where "Lord Buddha himself has said to have used this method when he visited Sri Lanka 3 times."?
Andriy Volkov
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-10T05:27:54.390Z
It's described in the [Mahavamsa](http://mahavamsa.org/mahavamsa/original-version/01-visit-thatagatha/). Not in the Suttas.
Sankha Kulathantille
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-10T03:33:49.533Z
2015-10-10T03:33:49.533Z
Sankha Kulathantille
<p>Many times I see myself flying/floating in dreams. Not so high, but 1-2 feet above the surface. I make a second step upwards before my first step touches the surface/while my first step also holds up in air. Last night i was asked by myself (in the dream) how I am doing this. I don't know why but i replied 'its all about breath control'.
Whenever this flying happens in dreams, it leaves behind an amazing experience. I recall everything of those scenes. Whenever I breath-in, I raise up in parts and whenever I breath-out or lose control, I touch back the floor.
Almost 1 year back I had watched a programme on discovery channel which was about a monk who can fly/stay uplifted.
I wish to know, 'is it possible to actually fly? If yes, then how? If yes, then why one should do this 'as per buddha?</p>

<personal-practice><belief><psychic-powers><dreams>
Is it possible to fly?
# Is it possible to fly?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-10-10)

Many times I see myself flying/floating in dreams. Not so high, but 1-2 feet above the surface. I make a second step upwards before my first step touches the surface/while my first step also holds up in air. Last night i was asked by myself (in the dream) how I am doing this. I don't know why but i replied 'its all about breath control'.
Whenever this flying happens in dreams, it leaves behind an amazing experience. I recall everything of those scenes. Whenever I breath-in, I raise up in parts and whenever I breath-out or lose control, I touch back the floor.
Almost 1 year back I had watched a programme on discovery channel which was about a monk who can fly/stay uplifted.
I wish to know, 'is it possible to actually fly? If yes, then how? If yes, then why one should do this 'as per buddha?

**Tags:** personal-practice, belief, psychic-powers, dreams


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-10-10. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

Ajahn Chah once answered this similar question with something like; "dung beetles can fly, what is so special about flying?". He was asked if he could fly. IMO ajahn Chah tried to say that the curiosity was misplaced and it would never lead to cessation or total liberation.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2015-10-10. Score: 5

This is actually nothing special to feel excited about. In Ayurvedic terms, when Vatha(air element) is imbalanced in the body, people tend to see dreams of flying. More information [here](http://www.ashtangayogashala.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=202&Itemid=165)

On the other hand, the ability to fly through the air is just one of the many psychic feats an advanced meditator can perform. It has nothing to do with dreaming. It requires great dedication in the practice of Samatha meditation. [Visuddhimagga](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nanamoli/PathofPurification2011.pdf) explains how it can be achieved based on the 4th Jhana.

> If yes then why one should do this?

It's the same reason why one gets into an airplane. To travel longer distances easily. According to the stories, in the past, monks with psychic powers have used this method to travel when they don't have a specific destination in mind. ex: when going on alms round.
But if they want to go to a specific place, they would simply disappear from where they are and appear in the destination.
Lord Buddha himself has said to have used this method when he visited Sri Lanka 3 times.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: do you have reference to a sutta where "Lord Buddha himself has said to have used this method when he visited Sri Lanka 3 times."?  
> **username_2**: It's described in the [Mahavamsa](http://mahavamsa.org/mahavamsa/original-version/01-visit-thatagatha/). Not in the Suttas.  

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