Bindi

So would you call Buddha deluded, determined as he was to attain enlightenment?

He had deleted his posts by 4.50 am yesterday, after seeker of healing's single comment. Any further discussion regarding fake stages was well after this, so either he is extremelyy sensitive, or he had other reasons to delete his posts.

Well I do admit I am pursuing a defined goal, and I think that goal can be classed as a transcendental truth. In line with Sri Aurobindo's quote, I just recognise that I haven't arrived at my goal yet. Do you not see any transcendental truth or Self or Buddha Self to be realised?

I don't think he was saying he had a rough reception, I think he read a few kundalini topics and decided from that to delete his.

Kundalini (Sanskrit: "a coiled female serpent") from kundala, "coil of a rope" meaning either coiled up or coiling like a snake — is the divine cosmic energy. It is a term in yoga, referring to a reservoir of psychic energy at the base of the spine. Kundalini is curled up in the back part of the root chakra in three and one-half turns. This force or energy is symbolized as a coiled and sleeping serpent lying dormant in the lowest nerve centre at the base of the spinal column, the Muladhara-chakra. This latent energy has to be aroused and made to ascend the main spinal channel, the Susumna piercing the chakras right up to the Sahasrara, the thousand-petalled lotus in the head. Then the Yogi is in union with the Brahman (Supreme Universal Soul). http://veda.wikidot.com/kundalini

Those who have great realization of delusion are buddhas; those who are greatly deluded about realization are sentient beings. --Dogen

I would see it as a fake stage unless it can be raised in the most central channel, and 1000 things have been pre-prepared. But I am a kundalini nazi Really it's a new age mess in the West as far as I can see, and many of the Indian type guru's are just as bad anyway.

Yes, I have found exactly the same in the heart area, for me it's been a place to become aware of and address ego issues.

No I don't think neidan and kundalini are two different systems, It's a shame you feel you can't expand on your understanding of the association between them here, I would have been interested.

What is 玄關? I ask this question because I am interested in how you see kundalini working within a neidan system.

I think you mentioned kundalini in one post, I'd like to ask where kundalini fits in your teaching?

Is Nirvikalpa Samadhi actually the Height of Divine Consciousness or is it in fact just an ingenious spiritual trap and a dead end? "War Nirvikalpa Samadhi - what is it good for?" Elaine

Can the false self accede to the Self, by allowing itself to be cleared away?

Working on the assumption that consciousness rises progressively from lower to higher, and from duality to the one, wouldn't working on the heart (still at the level of duality) lead to opening to love and hate? Pure egoless compassion beyond hate would only be possible when consciousness is permanently operating in the higher energy centres, beyond duality - why, how could it be expected before raising consciousness to the highest levels?

Ramana Maharshi on effort... “There is a state beyond our efforts or effortlessness. Until it is realised effort is necessary. (…) Effort is necessary up to the state of realisation. Even then the Self should spontaneously become evident. Otherwise happiness will not be complete. Up to that state of spontaneity there must be effort in some form or another.” “Effort is needed so long as there is mind.” – Ramana Maharshi

"The universe is a huge joke. If you don't find it funny, that's because you haven't reached the punch-line yet" - Kema Ananda

I like this idea as well, Qi flows due to the pressure differential, I see it as having to build up in one channel before being able to break into the next. I also really like the idea of the Qi ball that Dawi mentioned, I think this Qi ball develops naturally as well, and seems to want to rise and maybe extend outwards, a very creative force.

Perhaps something along these lines... “Many spiritual traditions... insist we transform our anger into compassion, implying that anger is not a “spiritual” emotion. This idea confuses anger with aggression, the emotion with “what is actually done with anger.” Anger can actually be an expression of compassion, a willingness to uphold boundaries that are sacred, or stand up for someone who is being oppressed. Compassion and anger can absolutely coexist.” http://spiritualityhealth.com/blog/julie-peters/spirituality-anger

What about anger at the +4 heart level?

Jesus himself came from a culture that liked to debate, probably he'd be either cheering from the sidelines or wanting to get directly involved. Yes, full of crap yet able to heal I was thinking, perhaps healing is allowing qi or maybe at higher levels shen to pass through the body and out of the hands, which is a completely different system to the emotional system. The more the channels are cleared, the more qi or shen may pass through. If the channels are completely clear, perhaps true shen may pass through, and very powerful healing may be effected, but at no point would emotions be passed through.

Mark 10:21, which was the reference, is referring to Jesus's love, not sadness Mark 10:21 King James Version (KJV) 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. Mark 10:22, which was not referenced, refers to the man's sadness, yes. Mark 10:22 King James Version (KJV) 22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.