Power of mind... attained through concentration(Samadhi)

Pathanjali Yoga Sutra Samadhi Pada,

Sutra 35: 'Vishayavathi va pravrytthih utpanna manasah sthithi nibandhini'

"The concentration on subtle sense perception called Visayavati cause steadiness of mind."

Explanation:

Because most of us are naturally sceptical, despite our affirmed "beliefs", we need to be reassured that the powers of mind over matter really exist. Despite countless, well-documented experiments, carried out under the strictest laboratory conditions, we still smile apologetically when we speak of telepathy and precognition. If we have studied the subject at all, we cannot exactly disbelieve that such things are possible, but still -- they haven't happened to us. Until they do, the mind harbors its little germ of doubt.

Pathanjali therefore recommends that we shall try to develop some "subtle sense perceptions" for ourselves. We are told that if a man concentrates on the tip of his nose he will smell wonderful perfumes. If concentration is fixed on the tip of the tongue, a supernormal sense of taste will result; if on the palate, a supernormal sense of color; if on the middle of the tongue, a supernormal sense of touch; if on the root of the tongue, a supernormal sense of hearing.

Such powers of no value in themselves, but they at least serve to prove what can be done with the mind, just as acrobatic tricks in a gymnasium prove how powerful and flexible a trained human body can become. Thus we begin to understand that everything is possible to those who can concentrate, and so we are encouraged to persevere, to break through the barriers of ordinary sense-perception and press forward fearlessly in our search for inner knowledge. The mental strength gained through these exercises in concentration can be used for the most practical purposes of all; to unite ourselves with the Atman.

- Swami Prabhavananda.