rex

Where does the line between religion and magic cross? Article on theurgy here: Iamblichus' Defence of Theurgy: Some Reflections This is taken from this free open access journal that's worth a look round: The International Journal of the Platonic Tradition edit: my bad, journal on Magic, Ritual, and Witchcraft isn't open access.

I reckon people can debate until they're blue in the face and still not change anyone's perspective. Shouldn't differences be respected without compromising one's own faith or that of another? Just got a mail shot advertising a book called Toward a True Kinship of Faiths which offers a way of peacful co-existence. From the synopsis: All major religions confront the same perennial questions; each has distinct forms of expression. But this marvelous diversity of insight has the potential for inspiring dialogue that can enrich everyone's pursuit of wisdom. All faith traditions turn to compassion as a guiding principle for living a good life. It is the task of all people with an aspiration to spiritual perfection to affirm the fundamental value of compassion. In this way we can truly develop a deep recognition of the value of other faiths, and on that basis, we can cultivate genuine respect. The Dalai Lama also explores where differences between religions can be genuinely appreciated - without serving as sources of conflict. The establishment of genuine harmony is NOT dependent upon accepting that all religions are fundamentally the same or that they lead to the same place. Many fear that recognizing the value of another faith is incompatible with having devotion to the truth of one's own. Nevertheless, the Dalai Lama profoundly shows how sincere believers can, with integrity, be puralists in relation to other religions without compromising commitment to the essence of the doctrinal teachings of their own faith.

No easy answers here. Could it be said that Buddhism denies the concept of God but not the nature of God? What's the difference in the Heart Sutra's 'beyond thoughts, beyond words, beyond form .. ' and a 'Creator who exists beyond the capacity of religious framework or human comprehension' (1) Edit: tpyos & more tyops

Hey wizard. What’s your religion?

Let's certainly hope so. Some sadhanas/diety practice texts contain a section where obstructive forces are expelled from the practice space and a vajra tent or wheel of protection established as a boundary to prevent further interference. Much like in the West where sacred space is declared and the profane expelled with Hekas, Hekas, este Bebeloi! Shame this couldn't/can't be done for this thread ... [uncharitable and unkind comments removed, sorry for the harshness I'm off now to do some purification -/\-]

For those who don't necessarily want to be a card carrying buddhist but would like to know about the practice of Tibetan yoga, this practical introductory book looks interesting: http://www.shambhala.com/the-tibetan-yoga-of-breath.html The introduction states that only the most basic wind energy teachings are given that are appropriate for anyone to start applying - perhaps it's a good idea to underpromise and overdeliver? : )

Reading the various comments throughout the thread is a salutory reminder of how practices can be received outside the context of their tradition. Thanks for the links.

Ok I'll stop banging on too - links to classic yantra sets would be smashing, thanks

The book does cite the textual and lineage souces and the reasons for it being made public, so being recently released to the general public does not necessarily equate it with being a recent innovation. It basically comes down to whether one perceives the teacher and lineage as being trustworthy or not and the tradition and context of one's personal yoga practice and where one is coming from. I have met people who practice Yantra Yoga, there's regular on-going classes and they're fine with it. Not being able to do the more challenging yantras does not mean that they're unable to derive benefit as each series is designed to address different areas, the five elements, the five aggregates, the five emotions, the five attachments and the five capacities. I'm not qualified or cheeky enough to comment on the quality of their results, as this is a subjective matter and for some purely a matter between them and their path.

No authentic text on Yantra Yoga? No ancient roots within Tibetan Yoga? Question marks over Yantra Yoga's authenticity? Many people saying it is a recent innovation and Western practitioners don't get real results? Well this is certainly an eye opener - are there any references that can be pointed too where these questions have been raised ?

Thanks for that. When the introduction said it included only 'the most basic' it wasn't kidding. Basic isn't synonymous with lack of profundity though, so it's still on the gift list.

Indeed! As is this: http://www.yantrayoga.org/store3/ Could try looking up nine round breathing on you tube. I'll be buying this as a present so will have a sneak peak before giving. Will also update this thread with a list of the practices covered.

For those who believe, half believe or have a passing interest in merit, this Sunday is Lha Bab Düchen. As a Wheel Day the effect of postive or negative actions is multipled ten million times, so it's a good time for dedicating for the benefit of all beings.

Exactly. If one is already happy with one's path why waste the time?

In Catholic folklore there is this account of Pope Leo XIII and the origin of the Prayer to St. Michael:

I value all of R.J Stewarts work. His book on the Spirit Cord has an instructive chapter on purifying the imagination so it can be employed usefully for inner work. This could be a topic for another thread sometime ...

From the same generous people the entire Lion System of Yin style Bagua. This is the first of 82 videos: Incredible and legal too! The Association of Traditional Studies video list is: http://www.youtube.com/user/traditionalstudies/videos

This looks a good one : http://www.rjstewart.net/the-arch-of-heaven.htm

Now we all have

Hey! Skeletor practices bodhichitta ...

Did a correspondence course way back and this is the book of the course: http://www.amazon.com/The-Magical-World-Tarot-Fourfold/dp/0877288739 Essentially it involved meeting in active imagination the Spirit of the Tarot, The Fool, and then meeting the other cards in turn.