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Now here's an opportunity to lift this from the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying The Tibetan name of the Buddha of Compassion is Chenrézig. Chen is the eye, ré is the corner of the eye, and zig means "see." This signifies that with his compassionate eyes Chénrezig sees the needs of all beings. So direct the compassion that radiates from your meditation, softly and gently, through your eyes, so that your gaze becomes the very gaze of compassion itself, all-pervasive and oceanlike. There are several reasons for keeping the eyes open. With the eyes open, you are less likely to fall asleep. Then, meditation is not a means of running away from the world, or of escaping from it into a trancelike experience of an altered state of consciousness. On the contrary, it is a direct way to help us truly understand ourselves and relate to life and the world. Therefore, in meditation, you keep your eyes open, not closed. Instead of shutting out life, you remain open and at peace with everything. You leave all your senses—hearing, seeing, feeling—just open, naturally, as they are, without grasping after their perceptions. As Dudjom Rinpoche said: 'Though different forms are perceived, they are in essence empty; yet in the emptiness one perceives forms. Though different sounds are heard, they are empty; yet in the emptiness one perceives sounds. Also different thoughts arise; they are empty, yet in the emptiness one perceives thoughts." Whatever you see, whatever you hear, leave it as it is, without grasping. Leave the hearing in the hearing, leave the seeing in the seeing, without letting your attachment enter into the perception. According to the special luminosity practice of Dzogchen, all the light of our wisdom-energy resides in the heart center, which is connected through "wisdom channels" to the eyes. The eyes are the "doors" of the luminosity, so you keep them open, in order not to block these wisdom channels. When you meditate keep your mouth slightly open, as if about to say a deep, relaxing "Aaaah." By keeping the mouth slightly open and breathing mainly through the mouth, it is said that the "karmic winds" that create discursive thoughts are normally less likely to arise and create obstacles in your mind and meditation. Rest your hands comfortably covering your knees. This is called the "mind in comfort and ease" posture.

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!

Now the attack site status has gone it's safe to reply! @Aaron You're welcome @thelerner Very similar to one method we were taught - looking down at a 45 degree angle - with a eyes softly focused, for introspection and quieting the mind. @ragamor Funny we were taught that as an option too. Eyes closed to set the mental atmosphere and motivation and open for the main practice. @TI You're welcome I find breathing through the mouth difficult and trying nose at the same time even more so. Sometimes breathing gets virtually imperceptable, very fine and shallow. Dzogchen has it's own version of subtle or light channels that are different to those presented in the vajrayana models though I've received no teachings on these there is a connection, so I believe, between the heart centre and the six lamps.

Dion Fortune did a lot in WW2 to combat nefariousness: http://www.amazon.com/Magical-Battle-Britain-Dion-Fortune/dp/1908011459/

Enochian is heavy duty. Check this interview out (third from last question): http://hermetic.com/...ws/dolores.html Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki's 'Your Unseen Power: Real Training in Western Magic' is worth a look: http://www.amazon.co...ores-Ashcroft-Nowicki/dp/1591794781

Jason Miller's blogs are well worth reading. This has has four years worth of information, advice and accounts: http://strategicsorc...blogspot.co.uk/ And this is the lastest blog: http://www.inominandum.com/blog/

This is a good read on interaction with other beings/energies: http://www.rjstewart.net/unseen_worlds.htm

This prayer says that if you hear it being recited by a powerful practitioner then you will be liberated in three lifetimes - not sure if a recording counts but you never know ...

Very droll guys The tradition and prayer itself states that among other things it can act as a liberation through hearing prayer that will plant the seeds of liberation in the mind stream of any being that happens to hear it being chanted/recited/sung. So that will go for people who think 'what a nice tune' and those who decry nonsense as well as ants scurrying around and flies buzzing around etc. Me? I'll go for anything that helps - I could do with all the available help - and if waiting three lifetimes is an incovenience maybe it'll inspire me to put down the bons bons, stop watching the X-factor and get off the couch. You're welcome! There's an awful lot condensed in this prayer.

Yeah I'm always suspicious when books appear on Amazon as available only through Market Place sellers. The books are real treasures. You're welcome!

There's a section on Nagas in Robert Beer's Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs available to read on Google Books: The Naga (Tib. klu) (later edit: Hmm ...link may have a limit, just click on the next page arrow and then go back one if it says the limit is reached. If that doesn't work do a googe search for kalachakra naga kings). From what I've been taught they must be approached with caution using correct protocol. They're not particularly keen on being matey with us. Yet another edit: story about nagas on dharmawheel: Lama Samten and the Nagas of Lake Tekapo

All the more outrageous when the publisher is still selling at a reasonable price: http://www.tibetantr...Publishing.html

The Message of the Tibetans has some explanation of channels with demonstrations of yogic postures. Starting from 39.20 ... Explanation of winds, channels and drops by His Eminence Garchen Triptul Rinpoche: Scribd Version Dharma Wheel Posted Version This is also linked on the Drikung Dzogchen Community Facebook page. DVDs on Yantra Yoga are available though attending a beginners session is strongly recommended, if not vital - look up the Shang Shung Institute for the country you're in. There's a session coming up in the UK: Yantra Yoga for Beginners . 1) Tibetan Yoga of Movement Level One Movements covered in Level One: Vairocana Posture Warm Ups The Nine Purification Breathings Tsigjong: Loosening the Joints Lungsang: Purifying the Prana Tsadul: Controlling the Energy Channels The Five Yantras of the First Series Vajra Wave: Overcoming Energy Obstacles 2) Tibetan Yoga of Movement Level Two Movements covered in Level Two: The Five Yantras of the Second Series The Five Yantras of the Third Series The Five Yantras of the Fourth Series The Five Yantras of the Fifth Series Rhythmic Breathing: Pranayama Vajra Wave: Overcoming Energy Obstacles There's the book too: Yantra Yoga Others things worth looking at to get a better idea: Magical Movements (Trulkhor) Awakening the Sacred Body

Probably yes As far as I know there are two main methods to attaining shamatha - shamatha with support and shamatha without support. With support an image, sound, or activity is focused on. This can be any image, any sound and any activity, they are a means to an end to attain and maintain calm abiding. Mantras possess special qualities so are valuable supports for shamatha. Without support the awareness watches the mind neither encouraging or discouraging what rises.

On the subject of the relationship between chakras and dan tiens here's some illuminating videos: Kundalini: Hindu chakra system vs Taoist dan 'tien system - Pt.1 / Tao Semko Kundalini: Hindu chakra system vs Taoist dan 'tien system - Pt.2 / Tao Semko Actually the whole channel has generous videos on subjects and questions that frequently arise here: The Whole Channel

Delogs are interesting cases - they 'die' then come back to life a few days later and with stories to tell. Here's a link to one Delog's account: Delog, Journey to Realms Beyond Death Some teachers stress how going to sleep is like dying so dream practice is good training for death.

As far as I understand dan tiens are cavities for storing energy and depending on the system and practice can incorporate one or more chakras in their field. So the middle dan tien could be the fourth chakra or it could just be the solar plexus or the solar plexus and the heart chakra combined. Similarly with the upper dan dien it could be the brow chakra, the crown chakra or both.

Don't know about kunulun but there must be. Just the intention to connnect combined with sincerity should be enough. I've been taught that the sacral chakra is more for storing water energy and does not equate to the lower dan tien. Also depending on experience and development in the early stages of practice energy is passed through the chakras and energy stored in the lower dan tien at the end of a session.

Another related link on the topic: "Tibetan Buddhist" Cults Run Amok

Images keep coming back? Before the crucial moment stop looking at the show and during climax don't have the images and any associated fantasies in mind. Just stick to the sensations in the body with a neutral, open state of mind as possible. You may find that eventually what was really alluring becomes just alluring, then interesting, then a passing interest and then just plain dull.

This is also being discussed at Dharma Wheel: http://www.dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=8137

Does your qigong practice incude a purification element to it - like healing sounds and inner smile? If not it might be that all the energy you're taking in is fuelling latent negative patterns.

Transmission is the main thing, books are secondary. There's these though: The Practice of Dzogchen The Golden Letters Tony Duff has done a few translations of Dzogchen instruction texts but he and the sellers stress the importance of transmission before reading. Edit: duff links

This might interest people: The Tao of Tai Chi Chuan: The Year of China, in collaboration with the Haffenrefer Museum of Anthropology and the Brown University Library presented an interactive workshop with Taoist priest Zhou Xuan Yun. Brown Library East Asian curator Li Wang presented first, discussing Chinese internal arts and the influence of Daoist philosophy on Taiji Quan.

Have you seen this on the Vajra Guru Mantra? Benefits of the Vajra Guru Mantra And this on Guru Rinpoche's Eight Manifestations? http://www.scribd.co...f-Guru-Rinpoche Guru Rinpoche and Buddhas in general aren't bastards, they won't shit on you so you can trust the mantra. Buddhas, to paraphrase my teacher, are undeceiving reliable sources of refuge with the wisdom that knows, the compassion that cares and the power to liberate. Edit: Tpoys