Vajrahridaya

This is talking about wisdom, or insight into the nature of things as interdependent and empty of inherent substance as being the source of the experience of great bliss. Because all things are equally empty and have always been and will always be, this wisdom or insight is beyond change, coming and going, but that is not the same as saying it's the ground of all being. Basically all forms of Buddhism agree on this except for a very few fringe groups. Talking about the source of yogic bliss and talking about a singular overarching source of all things that self exists is different.

I think you're projecting Buddhist influenced thinking onto it. As a stand alone tradition, it's definitely monist. Like I said, individuals can do what they want but as far as the texts say, it's clearly originally a monist view. Everything is one eternal, beyond being and non-being. It's the same way Hindus describe Brahman and this view leads to a particular experience of re-absorption, thus not liberation according to Buddhadharma. But, you have Buddhist influence, so... you'll probably have an entirely different inner experience than if you were completely influenced by Taoist views. To quote... 1 The tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao The name that can be named is not the eternal Name. The unnamable is the eternally real. Naming is the origin of all particular things. Free from desire, you realize the mystery. Caught in desire, you see only the manifestations. Yet mystery and manifestations arise from the same source. This source is called darkness. Darkness within darkness. The gateway to all understanding. 4 The Tao is like a well: used but never used up. It is like the eternal void: filled with infinite possibilities. It is hidden but always present. I don't know who gave birth to it. It is older than God. 5 The Tao doesn't take sides; it gives birth to both good and evil. The Master doesn't take sides; she welcomes both saints and sinners. The Tao is like a bellows: it is empty yet infinitely capable. The more you use it, the more it produces; the more you talk of it, the less you understand. Hold on to the center. 6 The Tao is called the Great Mother: empty yet inexhaustible, it gives birth to infinite worlds. It is always present within you. You can use it any way you want. 7 The Tao is infinite, eternal. Why is it eternal? It was never born; thus it can never die. Why is it infinite? It has no desires for itself; thus it is present for all beings. Yes, there are so many translations out there. But all the translations of the Tao De Ching leave it beautifully Monist, thus more compatible with Hinduism, rather than Buddhism. It's a beautiful path and has it's virtues. It's just not as exhaustive of a philosophy as Buddhism in my opinion. I also like Chuang Tzu better and I enjoy using the I-Ching. But, I myself as well project Buddhist resonances all over everything I read from Taoism making it more like an extension of Buddhism for me. Everyone is welcome to their experience and opinion. I just don't agree with the idea that they are fundamentally teaching the same view of the "how" and the "why" thus the practice methods will lead to different goals in the end due to difference in view. There are plenty of Buddhist masters that have talked about this in beautiful ways. There is not just one mountain, there are many mountains and each one has a different view at the summit. Even in Buddhism, there are different liberation's.

There is a difference between sharing practices and view. The view is different in Buddhism, as they do not aim at the same goal. Doing a practice is something else entirely. There is a question as to weather some versions of Taoist interpretation are somewhat the same as Buddhist, but all in all... I doubt it, unless you are just talking to an individual who might have an insight that transcends the norm taking them beyond this idea and experience of a single primal source to everything. Most historical Buddhist masters actually don't think that all traditions lead to the same destination and even explain in exhaustion, why this is so. To the original poster. If you want to know one vital thing that makes Buddhism and Taoism different, it's the fact that Taoism subscribes to one eternal source of all existence that is the primal essence of all things, beyond explanation and thought. Buddhism does not.

What source?

That's not true for Vajrayana. We receive preliminary contemplations, and physical practices such as physical yoga and prostrations, and chanting, other such things that progressively gets more intense or subtler as one progresses, the teacher starts introducing deeper and deeper, and more involved methods.

There is no primordial source in Buddhism, there is only beginningless flow of interdependence.

You talking about Dzogchen? Sure... There's lots of them. I keep getting links to them, but I can't find them now. I'll hunt and see what's up. Maybe ask a pro on my FB too. If not Dzogchen, then let me know but I've never heard that term outside of Dzogchen.

He doesn't come across as very grounded or integrated to me. He seems a little schizophrenic actually. But, that's just my opinion... who knows? He's definitely odd though. I guess he considers himself an alien.

AAAAHAHAHA... oh my... poor darling.

Yes! Even if just for the food and cute yoga girls! LOL! I had lots of fun in NYC everytime she came. I also met some wonderful people.

Of course! All it takes is focus and renunciation of those activities that get in the way of getting into meditation. I have most certainly gotten into deep meditation without leaving the so called "West." I merely left behind my concepts about things, people, places and myself.

Definitely! She's a deeply good person and her hug is very empathic. The people you'll meet around her are also good and well meaning. As well, the food is awesome!!

That was only that time to certain people. Remember there is also the Vajrayana and Dzogchen teachings of right now enlightened vision! Also a good set of internalizing practices that one does religiously is only going to benefit anyone who partakes. This is very practical.

Buddhism doesn't say "is" in that sense, rather that you have the potential. You are not a Buddha 3bob unless you actually realize as such through the path. You do have Buddha nature though, which just means you are empty of inherent existence, not that you have an inherently enlightened soul that is permanent regardless of everything.

Awesome!

Awesome! I personally only have good experiences with Gurumayi, and this might just be my karma having nothing to do with who she is in her own reality? But, I am super grateful to have come to Dzogchen and Vajrayana and through ChNNR, his teachings, writings, and presence, I have come to see really how little the SY tradition of Muktananda knows of the more deeper spiritual traditions of North India. Actually, Gurumayi knows more about Kashmir Shaivism than Muktananda merely due to the fact of having it taught to her by teachers like Paul Muller Ortega who has genuine lineage experience from Indian Kashmiri masters, but Paul also swears by her realization. I don't know... it doesn't really matter to me as I've come to Dzogchen which is a far richer path than I have found in anything from the SY tradition of Muktananda! I wish all my SY friends well and have tons of them on my FB as I did grow up with that path and have made very nice connections to practitioners from that tradition. But, the level of understanding and the vast selection and clarity of the Vajrayana methods for realization are far richer in my opinion. So, I do agree with you. On your experience... may it only grow and deepen dearest friend! It's so nice to finally connect with such a wonderful spirit as yours without all that conflict that once poisoned our interactions on here. I'm so happy! Peace, love and respect! Hari

When you recognize inter-connectivity in every activity, consciously, you are self transcending, and realizing "nature"... as we know as described by the Buddha as emptiness, which means full openness... really. Then our every action becomes an offering of virtue, even our pleasure for the sake of connection, obliteration of I and other in a literal sense of experience thus letting the relative reflect this as an expression of infinitude. Ok, when I re-read this, it sounds so far gone! Forgive me. I know not a favorite of yours Seth, but Swami Muktananda talked about the same thing, the upward flow was towards expansion and the downward flow is towards contraction. So to create a balance in the body through the Hridaya Chakra is key, and understanding the emptiness of the experience of Spanda simultaneously. I think you Seth will understand these terms. Hridaya means heart, and spanda means pulsation as in every moment pulsing from higher or subtler vibration to denser vibration on such a deeply fast level as to seem simultaneous. All interconnected and all levels inherently empty of any base of origin in and of themselves, like a sphere. Anyway... for those asking about texts on Tantra, I would recommend reading things such as Highest Yoga Tantra by Daniel Cozort. But, it can't be known without direct experience which requires at least the 2nd jhana and one should prefer going deeper into the Samadhi states of one pointed concentration before entering into karma mudra or sexual tantra. As well it takes a good basis in vipashyana or vipassana or integration of the very basic understanding of dependent origination as explained in the Pali Suttas, with all functions of the body into deep relaxation which is what it takes to experience the higher bliss states through the vehicle of mundane pleasure. In all good intentions, regardless of interpretation... Hari p.s. I feel your experiences with E.T.'s... I've had this of various types... the cosmos is vast, wide and wowzers!! Especially when one gets that 3rd eye open through one pointed concentration and integration of the subtler relaxations/samadhis/jhanas. Ok... more... I feel that Om Ah Hum repeated very fast on a subtle inner level seems to emanate all the different mantras on a deep pulse level. When you listen to the Tibetan masters repeat this very fast it's that opening ahoohmahoomahooom very subtle. It seems to be the sound of spanda in every moment emptying itself into the next moment connected to the previous... Anyway... it seems for me to be the ultimate protective and offering mantra. In Dzogchen it's said to be the mantra of ALL liberated beings. Om Ah Hum... Wow it's nice... I like it!

When the Samboghakaya or body of spiritual joy is cultivated sufficiently, the Nirmanakaya or physical manifestation of "that" also originates dependent upon the deep mental realizations of dependent origination/emptiness as an existence of joy, pleasure, service, and a reflection of the transcendent bliss of liberation as a realizable joy of the here and now through the body, even while defecating, eating, making love... etc. I think this type of attitude does not take root in a practitioner until they are ready for the Tantric path of transformation though.

I also like computer analogies!

Tashi Delegs... It's also different from Vajrayana where one can manifest from the realization of "emptiness" or infinite potential... meritorious re-births that are based entirely upon the intention of helping others with "metta" or compassion. For a Vajrayana practitioner the goal is not merely Nirvana, or escape from psychological suffering, but total mastery over the power of manifesting for the sake of endless sentient beings. The physical body is only loathsome when one doesn't manifest it as an instrument of pleasurable service. If one utilizes the body merely as a vessel of selfish desire than problems occur due to this experiential concept of non-connection and attachment to individuality as ultimate. Mucho Metta! p.s. Yes, I have been to and have experienced directly many of the different realms discussed in various scriptures. Indeed, I do agree with most everything I have read here from you. Blessings on your journey!

LOL! Ah yes, the ever popular state of enlightenment through conceptual formulation rather than direct experiencing, leading to dialectic diarrhea. I certainly have been guilty of such alienating expression.

Spirituality is more about individual inner intention than it is about outer conformity... seriously. Those that transcend popular culture might merge with the karmic prevalence of the mass majority, others will poke holes in it. This all depends upon various forms of interconnected necessity towards the same goal of moksha. Individuals as well as social pockets of group consensus are more complex than black and white dichotomous teaching paradigms.

Left handed tantra and black magic are not the same! Black magic is selfish and ego serving... with a totally different philosophical idealization from Vamachara.