rex

Ooh! Mystery solved perhaps? My post went missing in that thread- was that you? I've pm'd Apech to see if he removed it, but it would be a bit odd if he did considering that he had hit the thanks button.

I went recently too. I liked the intriguing naga references, from the mala made with snake vertebrae to the translation of The Lukhang as 'Temple to the Serpent Spirits' Shame about the no photo policy.

Some accounts of the ecstacy of the Saints can have distinct erotic undertones, though not in the way that resembles stereotypical sexualised images of ordinary desire. Julian of Norwich and Saint Teresa come to mind. The Song of Songs is distinctly erotic and can be seen as an allegory on a number of levels. How one interprets and attributes the source of ecstasy is a matter of individual faith. edit: tpyo

Perhaps something has been lost in translation? During my lunchtime reading I came across this snippet: In Hebrew the word for Spirit is ruach which is feminine - Ruach Elohim, the Spirit of God. Spirit translated into Greek is pneuma, which is gender neutral.

Nirvana is a mental construct. As the saying goes, 'The mind creates both samsara and nirvana'. It reminds me of those old Zen tales of being in heaven or hell, where someones's happness and peace of mind (heaven) can be robbed by an insult and they turn angry, aggressive and vengeful (hell). The 'trick', for want of a better word, is to move beyond both samsara and nirvana. (ref: https://ru-ru.facebook.com/DudjomTersarPolska/posts/801529389912994)

Cheers! The website of the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery & Witchcraft is worth a look: https://www.galdrasyning.is/index.php?lang=en

There's a book just out: http://avaloniabooks.co.uk/catalogue/norse-viking/icelandic-magic/

It's hardly suprising that it was a favourite of yours for so many years - it just seems to sum things up nicely, especially in terms of my limited experience of qigong, pranayama and spiritual alchemy, whereby energetic influences can be taken in through breath (air) and water, then through the blood (water) assimulated by the physical body (earth/Salt). In this sense Mercury appears to be a superlative intermediary and bridge to enable the transfer of qualities from Suphur to Salt. As the diagram is more of a top level overview for orientation it is clear that it cannot represent the nuances of laboratory work. Your point that Mercury is not only an intermediary is well taken, though I welcome corrections/feedback/pointers from anyone on howlers in the opening paragraph. All the best.

Diagram showing Mercury's intermediary function:

...

If I may stick my nose in. The central channel does not terminate at the brow, it's more down to the function of a particular practice. In phowa the central channel goes to the crown. Edit: changed 'goes beyond the crown' to 'goes to the crown' in the last sentence.

Stay warm this winter: * use thermal socks and lined waterproof shoes * keep your hands covered and close to your body * embrace the flame of bitter existential rage inside of you and let it consume everything * don’t forget to wear a hat http://onomatopaula.tumblr.com/post/133683100296/stay-warm-this-winter

This may be of interest: Secret Map of the Body

If one goes by the maxim that the same force that binds also liberates, perhaps they should be worked with.

... but cold indifference.

This expresses some of the background ethics, world view and attitudes which orientate practice in a particular tradition. A long read and perhaps only for the dedicated but worth it anyway. Advice from previous great masters Root guru, precious and most kind, Lord of the mandala, sole unfailing lasting refuge, With your compassion, take hold of me! I work only for this life, not keeping death in mind, Wasting this free, well-favored human birth. Human life, lasting an instant, like a dream - It might be happy, it might be sad. Not wishing for joy, not avoiding sadness, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. This human life, like a butterlamp set out in the wind - It might last a long time or it might not. Not letting ego's hold tighten further, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. A life of luxury, like a bewitching apparition - It might come to pass or it might not. With the ways of the eight worldly dharmas cast away like chaff, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. All these underlings, like a bunch of birds in a tree - They might surround me, they might not. Not letting others lead me around by the nose, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. This illusory body, like a rotting 100-year-old house - It might last, it might fall into dust. Not caught up in efforts to get food, clothes, or medicines, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. This dharma behavior, like a child's game - It might go on, it might stop. Undeceived by things that don't really matter, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. All these gods and spirits, like a mirror's reflections - They might give help, they might do harm. Not seeing my own deluded visions to be enemies, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. All this confused chatter, traceless as an echo - It might be interesting, it might not. With the Three Jewels and my own mind bearing witness, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. Things that may prove useless in time of real need, like a deer's antlers, - I might know them, I might not. Not placing my confidence merely in the arts and sciences, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. These gifts and money given by the faithful, like deadly poison - I might receive them, I might not. Not spending my life trying to accumulate evil earnings, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. This lofty station, like dogshit wrapped in satin - I might have it, I might not. Knowing my own rottenness at first hand, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. Friends and family, like travelers who come together for a fair - They might be vicious, they might be loving. Cutting attachment's tough cord from the heart, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. All these possessions, like the wealth found in a dream - I might own them, I might not. Not using tact and flattery to turn others' heads, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. This rank in the hierarchy, Like a tiny bird perched on a branch - It might be high, it might be low. Without making myself miserable wishing for a better position, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. Practicing the spells of black magic, like deadly weapons - I might be able to cast them, I might not. Not buying the knife that cuts my own throat, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. Doing prayers, like a parrot saying 'om mani padme hum' - I might do them, I might not. Without boasting about whatever I do, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. The way one teaches the dharma, like flowing water - I might be expert, I might not. Without thinking that mere eloquence is dharma, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. Intellect that makes quick discriminations, like a rooting pig - It might be sharp, it might be dull. Not allowing the barbs of pointless anger and attachment to arise, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. Meditation experiences, like well-water in summer - They may increase, they may lessen. Without chasing after rainbows as children do, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. This pure perception, like rain on a mountaintop - It might arise, it might not. Without taking deluded experience to be real, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. These freedoms and favourable conditions, like a wish-fullfilling gem - If they are lacking, there is no way to accomplish the holy dharma. Not throwing away what is already in my own hand, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. The glorious guru, like a lamp that lights the way to liberation - If I cannot meet him, there is no way to realize the true nature. Not jumping off a cliff when I know the path to go on, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. The holy dharma, like a medicine to cure disease - If I don't hear it, there is no way to know what should be done and not done. Not swallowing poison when I can tell benefit from harm, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. The changing cycle of joy and sorrow, like the changing seasons - If this isn't seen, there is no way to achieve renunciation. As a time of suffering will surely come around to me, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. Samsara, like a stone fallen deep into water - If I don't get out now, I won't get out later. Pulling myself out by the rope of the compassionate Three Jewels, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. Liberation's good qualities, like an island of jewels - If they aren't known, there is no way to begin to make efforts. Having seen the advantage of permanent victory, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. The life stories of the great masters, like the essence of amrita - If they aren't known, there is no way for confidence to arise. Not choosing self-destruction when I can tell victory from defeat, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. Bodhicitta, like a fertile field - Unless it is cultivated, there is no way to achieve enlightenment. Not staying idle when there is a great aim to be accomplished, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. My own mind, like a monkey's nonsense - Without keeping guard, there is no way to avoid conflicting emotions. Not acting without restraint, like a lunatic, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. Ego, like a shadow one is born with - Until it's abandoned, there is no way to reach a place of real joy. When the enemy is in my clutches, why treat him as friend? May I truly practice the sublime teachings. The five poisons, like hot embers among ashes - Until they're destroyed, one can't remain at rest in the natural state. Not raising baby vipers in my pockets, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. This mindstream, like the tough hide of a butter-bag - If it's not tamed and softened, one can't mix mind with dharma. Without spoiling the child that is born of itself, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. These ingrained bad habits, karmic patterns, like the strong currents of a river - If they aren't cut, one can't avoid acting contrary to the dharma. Without selling weapons to my enemies, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. These distractions, like never-ending waves - If they aren't given up, there is no way to become stable. When I can do as I like, why practice samsara? May I truly practice the sublime teachings. The lama's blessings, like spring warming up soil and water - If they don't enter into me, there is no way to be introduced to the nature of mind. When there is a short-cut, why take the long way around? May I truly practice the sublime teachings. This retreat in the wilderness, like summer in a lush place where herbs grow - If I don't remain here, there is no way for good qualities to be born. When high up in the mountains, don't wander back into black towns. May I truly practice the sublime teachings. Desire for pleasure, like a bad-luck spirit entering the house - If I'm not free of it, I'll never stop working toward suffering. Not making offerings to voracious ghosts as my personal gods, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. Mindfulness, like the lock on a castle gate - If it is lacking, one can't stop the movements of illusion. When the thief is surely coming, why forget to bar the door? May I truly practice the sublime teachings. The true nature, unchanging, like the sky - Until it's realized, one can't completely resolve doubts as to the view. Not letting myself be chained by theories, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. Awareness, like a flawless piece of crystal - Until it's seen, intentional meditation cannot dissolve. When there's an inseparable companion, why go off looking for another? May I truly practice the sublime teachings. The face of ordinary mind, like an old friend - If it's not seen, all that one does is misleading. Without groping in the darkness of my own closed eyes, May I truly practice the sublime teachings. In short, without giving up This life's preoccupations, there's no way to accomplish the sacred teachings after death. Having decided to show myself great kindness, May all that I do be toward the dharma. May I not have wrong views toward the guru who has given instruction in accord with the dharma. May I not lose faith in the yidam when misfortunes occur. May I not put off practice when circumstances are hard. May there be no obstacles to attaining siddhi. All these activities are pointless, like making a grand tour of a wasteland. All this trying just makes my mindstream more rigid. All this thinking only adds confusion onto confusion. All that passes for dharma to ordinary people only makes for further binding. So much activity - nothing comes of it. So much thinking - no point to it. So much wanting - no time for it. Having given this up, May I be able to practice according to instructions. If I must do something, may Buddha's teaching bear it witness. If I must do something, mix mindstream and dharma. If I must accomplish something, read the life stories of past masters. What's the use of other things? Spoiled brat! Take a low seat and become rich with contentment. Try hard to get free of the eight worldly concerns. May the guru's blessings enter into me, May my realization become equal to the sky. Grant your blessings so that I may reach Kuntuzangpo's throne. Written by Jigdral Yeshe Dorje for his own prayers, Condensing the essential meaning from the vajra words of advice from previous great masters. This was offered with prayers for the continued blessing of H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, Jigdral Yeshe Dorje, and for the long life of his emanation, for the sake of all beings.Translated by Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche and Constance Wilkinson. Sarva Mangalam

You're welcome Stosh - that it is!

I've been taught that the essence of Buddhism can summed up in the three lines: Do not harm. Cultivate a wealth of virtue. Train/tame the mind.

No it's trulkhor and tsa lung.

Other sources of transmission within Christianity with varying exoteric and esoteric interpretations and levels of acceptance in terms of orthodoxy and respectability. The Communion of Saints The Holy Mother Mary Magdelene The Angelic Hierarchies edit: sepllnigs

Isn't the only claim that madhyamika makes is that nothing definitive can be said about anything? So whatever proposition is proposed is wrong by default. In turn madhyamika offers no alternative propositions, apart from demonstrating how a proposition is never definitive.

In his introduction to Entry into the Realm of Reality: The Guide Thomas Cleary gives an interesting explanation of the origin of doctrinal dispute within Buddhism and the source of teachings which do not have the weight of recorded history behind them.

I'd love to be there! I remember reading an annecdote about Dudjom Rinpoche who on being asked what the difference between Hindu and Buddhist tantra was, replied 'bodhiciitta'. There definitely appear to be cross-overs between the two traditions - Ganesha, Tara, Saraswati, Kubera/Dzambhala, Garuda, Varahi. Edit: spellings

Hello! Good to see someone of your background here. Is Navaratri kicking off where you are? And on subject of Devis and Buddhist Tantric deities, is there much cross-over with Hindu and Buddhist devotees, with each visiting each others temples? Best.

As a request was also put in to move Innersound's posts to another thread it's not censorship but an attempt to control a disruptive element in class. There are more skillful ways to draw attention to points of departure and ownership permissions is a tool provided by the board to deal with such things. The attraction of this 101 thread is a presentation of a topic by a person who generously has something of value to offer. An alternative 101 class in a separate thread presented by Innersound will find its own interested audience.