adept

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Posts posted by adept

  4. Posted

    Shugendo has its own methods of healing, some of which can be seen in the documentary, Shugendo Now. I'm sure they could do something like reiki, but how do you know that it's part of their training?

     

    This is the only real source of that information in a book or online, that I'm aware of. Coming from a Shingon perspective, which is closely related.

     

    If you're going to learn Shugendo for real, you have to go to Japan and walk the mountains for years and pass all sorts of tests. The next closest thing in terms of similar training would be Tendai, in the USA, or Japan.

     

    Actually, there's a Shingon priest here in the UK. It's the other end of the country but I might have to check him and his centre out someday. Looks very nice.

    I saw the trailer for that Shugendo Now documentary a while back. That looks an awesome thing to do. Wonder if they let non-japanese do it ?

    Getting back to Shingon, the tradition from which reiki comes, I've seen and read some great stuff about it lately.

  6. Posted

    If I were you, I would practice Tummo alone, and without a teacher. Haven't you read the Bliss of Inner Fire by Lama Yeshe? Do you think a Lama went to the trouble of describing how to practice it without a teacher just to be ignored? Shame shame! I liked the heat and bliss, anyway.

     

    In most of the reviews on Amazon for that book, and from conversations on forums, the advice given is to NOT practice tummo without a teacher. It seems like a warning to me.

    If it is at all possible to practice tummo without a teacher, I would like to read some accounts from people who have done so.

    Thanks

  7. Posted

    demonstrated under laboratory conditions

     

    Herein lies the problem. Not all things that are experienced can be scientifically proven.

    How can enlightenment, immortality, kundalini, bliss, mindfulness etc etc be proven or measured by scientific methods.

    • Like 3

  8. Posted

    Well, I found it to be beneficial to me. I went with an open mind, not expecting anything.

    I wouldn't try and practice tummo without a teacher, and seeing as I don't have any nearby who does teach it, I'll leave it alone.

    Reiki has it's roots in Japanese mikkyo Buddhism, particularly Shingon, so as far as the lineage goes, a lot of hard work has been done by past generations. There may be more to it than new age fluff.

  10. Posted

    Hi all.

    Last night me and mrs. adept were invited by a family member to go along to a reiki healing session.

    I'm a pretty open-minded so we decided to go along. I've never had this done before so, apart from reading basic stuff on the net, I knew absolutely nothing about it.

    We turned up at a little spiritual centre in town where about 10 people were gathered. I felt a little anxious and nervous and a little bit shy.

    I watched on as a couple of people were given the healing and could feel the energy in the room.

    It all looked a little weird as two ladies went to work on their subjects. Strange symbolic shapes were drawn into the air in front of the subjects by the ladies.

    Immediately I felt myself relax and couldn't wait till it was my turn. In fact I volunteered to have the next go !

    As soon as the lady put her hands on me I felt an intense heat surging through my body. Her hands were slightly cold but the energy flowing from her into me was hot, very hot.

    A pulsing vibrating warm energy was flowing through me. I was shaking inside although it wasn't visible to anyone. My eyes, which were shut, were flickering all over the place.

    It took about 15 minutes and I felt fabulous afterwards, although a bit hyper.

    I had a lovely deep sleep which was peppered with weird dreams and visions, most of which I can't remember. I do, though, vividly remember flying extremely fast from place to place without any destination in mind. Also visions of people practicing the Kunlun posture which I've seen in the book, but have yet to practice. Maybe it's some kind of a sign, I don't know, but reiki and Kunlun seemed to be linked in my dreams.

    All in all, a very strange interesting experience and an enjoyable one which seems to have given me a pointer to practice Kunlun, which I had been doubting for a while.

  11. Posted

    Brought me round to seeing the PRCs viewpoint when it comes to Tibetan issues.

     

    Whatever you think about Tibetan Buddhism, it doesn't defend the invasion, destroying, imprisonment and murder of the country and it's people. The PRC was responsible for nearly wiping out 2000+ years of culture, both in it's own country and of others.

  13. Posted

    While posting on the 'Taoism criticisms of zen' thread, I realized how distracted I (and probably lots of others) can get.

    The sheer volume of spiritual/religious literature available at the click of a mouse is staggering. Often I've found myself drifting from one teaching and practice to another.

    If only I could just do the practice.

    I think the constant reading of spiritual literature can get in the way and can actually hinder progress.

    I mentioned how difficult I thought shikantaza zazen is. Maybe that's because I should only practice, and not philosophize about it so much. After all, that's what you're supposed to do.

    Drop everything, let go, do nothing, wu-wei.

  14. Posted

    Lol, interesting example. I see what you mean...I guess it comes down to school or personal preference. I kind of enjoy life with all of its movement...my perspective of course doesn't represent Taoism.

     

    But it does represent the Dao. There's a BIG difference.

  16. Posted · Edited by adept

    For people who are familiar with Suzuki and Taoism, anyone care to mention (or point to a relevant post in this thread) any differences -- in a simple way, preferably? :)

     

    Well, I'll give it a try.

    Shunryu Suzuki was a monk/priest in the Soto Zen tradition. Soto Zen emphasizes shikantaza zazen, or just sitting over the studying of sutras and other practices. In my humble opinion, shikantaza is quintessential wu-wei. Non-doing. Just letting everything take it's natural course without any interference, or judgement, or bias. Letting go of everything. The Dao, pure and simple.

    It is however, much harder than it sounds and takes a hell of a lot of practice before the monkey-mind slows down, if at all.

    I've tried it a few times before and become frustrated and stopped practicing. My utmost respect to anyone who sits zazen regularly over countless years. It is extremely difficult.

    No goal, no practice, no samsara and no nirvana.

  20. Posted

    The particular method they used did require an initiation (obligatory) and a weekend's practice with the teacher (not obligatory but good if there's the opportunity). Some showed signs on the first day, some the next day while for others signs became apparent within two weeks.

     

    Considering all the distractions and possble interests that can claim our attention I think it's great that you've had a long term interest in PL, this shows sincerity. If you're not already practicing in any of the Tibetan traditions then you will at least have to be amenable to taking refuge and bodhisattva vows. Look out for dharma events where an Amitabha empowerment is being given, contact the organisers, though do some research on them first in case they're iffy, tell them about your interest in PL and see what they say. In the UK some teachers by prior arrangement give refuge vows to new people before giving an initiation.

     

    You won't necessarily have to go through a load of preliminaries first as PL exists for the benefit of sincere and unpurified practitioners. However don't take my word on this as authoritative it as teachers do have different requirements but your sincerity and a commitment to spiritual practice should hopefully hold you in good stead.

     

    Thanks rex for your informative post. I'll do a bit more research and keep a look out for any events.

  21. Posted

    I didnt meant to insinuate any sort of hidden agenda, I was...heh, just asking a plain question. As I understand, of the utmost importance is sincerity with things like this.

    No worries. I probably picked that up the wrong way. :blush:

     

    I dont know if you've been around the forum long enough to remember Lin, but I did some studying with him, so my practical experience comes through having trained with him.

     

    I sure do remember Lin. Very sincere guy.

     

     

    Thanks for your honesty joeblast and for describing your experiences.

    • Like 2

  22. Posted

    /\ what exactly are you trying to learn? faith and sincerity can indeed carry great inertia :)

     

    Just trying to find out if anyone here has any practical experience in these methods.

    I'm only asking harmless questions. No hidden agenda.

    It is often said that the 'easy' practice is the most difficult.

    Guess I'll try it for a sustained length of time and find out for myself

    Thanks

  23. Posted · Edited by adept

    Thanks Dainin.

    I've been reading some of the Japanese monk Honen lately and it seems that he took Chinese Pure Land teachings, which were still then practiced in a monastic setting (as part of Ch'an, Huayen, or Tiantai), and structured them so that anyone, regardless of age, sex, lifestyle circumstances, could practice. He became the founder of Jodo Shu, which seems to have more in common with the former Chinese PL practice (as in you need to put in the effort) than Jodo Shinshu which came later with Shinran and which I agree seems more fundamentalist.

     

    http://www.jodo.org/

  24. Posted

    I have some dharma friends who practice the Tibetan version of Pure Land Buddhism - phowa with Amitabha. One of the signs of accomplishment is the appearance of a small hole in the crown of the skull, this is the hole that the consciousness will exit the body at the time of death from the heart centre to the heart mind of Amitabha. And guess what - they have one!

     

    That's awesome rex !

    I would imagine that you would need the presence of a teacher to practice this method.

    Does someone who wishes to practice Tibetan PL, simply ask for that particular method ?

    Or would you have to go through loads of preliminary practices first ?

    • Like 1