doc benway

@thelerner @Spaceofawareness Done - let me know if any problems or questions

Gods and bodhisattvas, or what have you, are simply representations of enlightened qualities that can arise when the distortions of our day to day mind get out of the way and allow us to connect to a deeper and more pure level of awareness in and of ourselves. They are not something outside or foreign, well they certainly may feel foreign, but when we connect with them it is very much a feeling of coming home, of something we've known and understood all along. Mantra is intended to help us cut through the distortions and access those deeper qualities.

The problem is not in the method, it is in the intention and expectations. The purpose of mantra and meditation is not relaxation, stress relief, intuition, prediction, and so forth. Those are side-effects and while they are very positive side-effects, there are negative side-effects also, which have been written about extensively here and elsewhere. Those negative side-effects are probably, in the long run, more beneficial than the superficial early benefits. They are evidence of the practices bumping up against the dysfunctional and delusory aspects of ourself that meditation is designed to disrupt and break down. In the West, there is a tendency to appropriate meditation methods for a variety of purposes, mostly psychological support and selfish powers. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this, it does not often lead to deriving the deeper effects of mantra and meditation. Rather it short-cuts the very purpose of the practice which is why you feel like you've hit a dead end. The deeper changes and more powerful effects are associated with fundamental changes in our relationship to ourself and our connection to our external and internal experience. If you're truly interested in the deeper benefits and broader changes, I suggest you dig into the spiritual source of these practices and connect with credible teachers who can guide you through the ups and downs. The techniques are very precise. Taking these practices out of context and playing with them without guidance can yield some superficial benefits as you describe but it's unlikely to go beyond that. Just my $.02 FWIW.

How do you know that to be true? One can argue that it’s the other way ‘round.

Interesting direction for this thread to take. Evidence that derailment can be a good thing. In my view, to say things are simple or complex is limiting. They are neither... and both. We see things as we are, not as they are. Simple and complex are descriptions of how we are experiencing, and interpreting that experience, not so much an accurate description of how things actually are. Both perspectives are equally valid and useful, depending on our needs and place on our individual path at any given moment.

Have you given similar consideration to thoughts? Why do they come up? Why a particular thought or memory at a given time? Sometimes one can trace patterns and connections, often there is no explanation. They just pop up, hang around, and vanish. Emotions are like that for me as well and I treat them similarly. In the Tibetan paradigm it is a matter of the various winds (movements of subtle energy) interacting with our external circumstances or our internal milieu (the chakras). This is also the explanation for dreams. When the wind of our awareness encounters the energetic content of a particular chakra, a particular thought, emotion, or dream will be stirred and come into our awareness. That’s one explanation.

My teacher is from Taiwan and was very secretive and selective in his teaching of martial arts (internal and external), qigong, and meditation. He was a bit elitist and guarded some techniques and principles quite closely. By his account, this was the rule rather than the exception among the old masters. It makes sense they would be cautious when one's career and life depended on skill and knowledge in martial arts. Nowadays I think it is driven more by finances and ego.

I approach emotions as energetic flow, determined by external circumstances and internal identification. In a way, emotions are to the heart as thoughts are to the mind.

I pay attention, I remain connected to what is happening inside me as well as outside. As frequently as I get distracted by thoughts or feelings, I continually return to the present moment.

White cats are so entitled!

Lately my word has been openness

The reason the practice I refer to is so close to freeform’s description is that the deepest spiritual connection we can make is to the full, unfabricated immediacy of the present moment. That is the spiritual connection I point to. That’s what emptiness means. All that comes from that, the worldly matters, are never separate from it but we usually are.

Actually, not nearly as different as your post suggests. Almost identical in fact.

On the path I'm following, Bön dzogchen, worldly matters must eventually be reconciled with spiritual life. In fact, worldly matters become the very spiritual path itself, but only when we are ready. This is referred to as integration. When we first begin practicing, our ability to recognize and remain connected to our spiritual core is elusive and unstable. At this level we protect ourselves, like a small candle flame needs to be protected from the wind. We're easily distracted so we practice in a quiet room, on a cushion, or withdraw in retreat. Once we develop certainty in our practice, then we begin challenging that spiritual connection progressively. First we begin by integrating supportive activities with our meditation - prostrations, mantras, circumambulation, etc... When we get a little stronger we can integrate neutral activities - eating, shitting, work, sports, etc... When very stable we can even integrate negative emotions, strong positive emotions, lust, sex, confrontational situations, and so forth. At this stage our flame is stronger but there is still effort and intention involved. If we are fortunate enough, there may come a time when the practice is effortless. Our flame is like a bonfire, fed by challenging situations, growing stronger all the time. At this stage practice and worldly matters are fully integrated. This is sometimes referred to as everything having "one taste."

Start with a LOW dose. It lasts a long time and takes a long time to take effect. I wish you great bliss and deep insight!

Thank you for sharing this news. May he rest in peace.

To touch and feel...

On an empty plain Piece of parchment rests a bead Of wet crimson ink

I remember someone getting real bent outta shape went I referred to their age... 🤫

Everything written by Yes...

I really appreciate your sincerity and devotion.

Exactly!

The Tibetan culture and sensibility in which Buddhism took root brought rich and complex artistry and a deep love, awe, and respect for the natural world originating in the shamanic roots of Bön, or so it appears to me.

For me this is a beautiful illustration of dependent origination.

This is used by the Bön A Khrid dzogchen lineage.