C T
-
Content count
10,544 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
100
Everything posted by C T
-
Simply put... ungraspable, yet ever-present potential.
-
Well, that is the problem... the average Dzogchenpa often gets caught by being unable to taste the sameness of both, seeing past the fleeting displays and possible subtle traps to arrive at evenness.
-
I like that!! A small request though... in keeping with the ethos of this department, could i be stationed somewhere warm and balmy (where you are is not bad), with swaying palms and all? I was thinking of Barbados, mmm, maybe Jamaica, but will settle for Tioman Island if that first preference is beyond the ministry's budget. For propaganda, we could churn out videos like these and forcibly make them pop up on people's computers and phones every few hours...
-
What next on the table? Chief of Staff, (glorified) Butlers' Division, Buckingham Palace? I'd settle for official time-keeper at the next Olympics. Think you can wrangle that, Mr A, sir? I love Rolex timepieces. Perpetually accurate, they say.
-
Does 'reproducible outcomes' imply rigid, facsimile and constantly imitative experiences all the time, every time? I would hope not, for the sake of progress.
-
Its a good thing my view differs somewhat. Imagine if everyone arrived at the same conclusion all the time in applying the teachings, that would make puppets of us all.
-
Sogyal Rinpoche, whom i trained under, never ascribed flashes of prajna as anything other than what they are. The 'spurts' i mentioned are contrived visualizations used in the generation stage, to bring about stability. It has nothing to do with flashes of wisdom dawning as clarity. Maybe you were thinking of something else altogether. Not sure where you got that 5-second span from. Certainly, from my experience, it is not uniform like that.
-
Why are there NO reputable writings or research on kundalini ?
C T replied to mike 134's topic in General Discussion
There are many studies being done by the scientific community, although not directly aimed at Kundalini practice, but related nonetheless... http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15159033 -
In Dzogchen context, both shamatha and vipassana are methods (skilful means) for stabilizing recognition, nothing more. On a foundational level, the practitioner meditates, alternating between resting in spacious, pervasive awareness, and active generation of bodhicitta, directing the mind (thoughts) to certain bodhisattvic ideals. Short spurts of focus, then rest, and repeat, that is what masters encourage. In between the two, there is a kind of natural looseness happening all on its own, and over a long period of following this approach, this unconstructed looseness should ideally expand and over-shadow any contrived methods, thus enabling the practitioner to arrive naturally at great perfection where all efforts will have been left behind by then. No more meditation, no more distraction, a simultaneous union effected, resulting in natural great liberation. If the practitioner keeps looking for that looseness, it will never be found. The funny thing is, if its not looked for, it can not be found too... so, there is work involved, but not too much, and certainly, not lying about doing nothing as well In other traditions these methods are also considered skilful means. I dont believe the primary aim of applying said methods are for suppressing thoughts, although it may appear to contain elements of that at the beginning, as part of the application process.
-
Phyllis sends a group text to her son and rest of the family and close friends, informing all of nana's sudden demise: Oh dear... i'm sorry to bring you all the bad news of nana's passing away just now. Thank the lord she left in peace, no pain or anything nasty like that. Will advice later of arrangements, LOL, Phyl. A mildly shocked, worried son hurriedly rang his mother, "Mother, nana just passed away, why are you in such good humour?" "I am totally devastated, son... what on earth are you talking about?" "But you signed off your text LOL... you know, laugh out loud??" "Jeez, omigosh, all along i had thought LOL meant 'Lots of love'... oh no... i better get on to everyone straight away. Oh, the embarrassment of it all!!"
-
Why are there NO reputable writings or research on kundalini ?
C T replied to mike 134's topic in General Discussion
I believe this group intends to begin serious scientific research into Kundalini. (reference listings on bottom of page). http://www.kundaliniresearchproject.net/research/research-areas -
I think SonOfTheGods had the sadhus of India in mind when he made that statement re: Kundalinists being social outcasts. Its quite apparent their lifestyle contrast starkly to that of 'normal' folks, preferring it this way rather than bow to the customary duties and established norms exacted by culture, state and religion. They lean towards frivolity and tend to scoff at anything remotely resembling decorum. I have met a few of these interesting folks... quite eye-opening encounters all. The wonderful thing about India is that the sadhus are very much integrated into the fabric of society, by the society itself, despite their oddities and misperceived 'madness', they do not face the kind of alarmist, eyebrow-raising concerns experienced by Western kundalinists ~ truth is, because of this acceptance, they function rather well the way they are, and occasionally one pops out of the mould and become a kind of 'accidental' guru of some repute.
-
resting in non-activity and in the midst of activity is the same. It only becomes separated and delusional when the self seeks for non-activity. in order that awareness of mind essence remain uninterrupted in both instances (whether in the presence of activity or otherwise), one has to gain insight and generate confidence in the knowledge that 'self' is an illusion. This knowledge allows limitless space to permeate awareness instead of a limited, grasping subject looking to stabilize awareness of rigpa. To see both confusion and calmness with equal taste, without chasing or rejecting one or the other, is dharmata itself. Those who think rigpa comes and goes, and seek to practice in the direction of stabilizing its presence, has work to do yet. Truth is, problem arises when 'you' think its no longer present. Rigpa, being the essence of the union of space and clarity, can never not be whatever state you are in right now. In fact, Rigpa manifests even clearer in the midst of great confusion!
-
Automatic Writing Practice:Anyone want to ask God a question?
C T replied to Horus's topic in General Discussion
Hi God, What role do you play in the life of one whose cravings and desires have been extinguished?- 86 replies
-
- 2
-
-
- Automatic Writing
- Talk to God
- (and 2 more)
-
touche!
-
I guess its really pointless where there is an onset of dependency. The problem is, most who are prone to addictive indulgences never agree that dependency is very much part of their psyche. I'm sure you have friends or know people who are in this kind of situation. I know a few. They all say they are 'managing' well and always on top of things, but in truth, observe long enough, and its quite evident there is a gradual slipping away of that part of the spirit that breathes life into one. You can see it in the eyes, they always reveal the truth. Another thing some dont seem to understand is that enlightenment is not an altered state. In its simplest form, enlightenment grows from complete okaying with whatever condition there is presently, and from here, learning not to identify with fragments of said condition, but with the totality of it, meaning, being ok with the past (causes) that brought on this (whatever) present condition, and then, knowing full well that what is happening now (either thru thoughts, emotional reactions, present habits) are the causes for tomorrow's resultant states, and this, when seen clearly, engenders some immediate responsibility to do whats necessary in this present time to reap certain fruits in the future. Then, we find out what we actually want, and do the right things in this immediate present to ensure that each moment onwards lead to that goal, step by step. In Buddhism, this sort of knowledge is called 'clairvoyance'. Most people want to be happy, but some do the exact opposite to get that. So, they dont have the clarity to act according to natural laws of cause and effect. I am of the opinion that the approach used by psychedelic experimenters falls in this category of people.
-
Could be koan, used to shatter preconceived notions thereby allowing/leading applicants or potential employees to think outside the box ~ this gives the evaluator a chance to have a peep into applicants' thought processes and creative sides.
-
The bardo states are a trip of a lifetime... unfortunately, there's no access to drugs there. Enjoy the ride in the meantime. Drugs do lend an idea of bliss, i agree... but drug-induced bliss is the loser's way out. Maybe that is the precise factor which so convince drug users that they are 'enlightened' when in fact they're faring worse than deluded beings who do not engage in drug use. Imagine having a good night's sleep, say, 10 solid, undisturbed hours, waking up then fresh, wide awake and energised... as compared to a short, restless night with nightmares induced by an overactive imagination, subsequently waking up feeling groggy and in a less-than-rested mood... ah, sure, no problem, 2 cups of coffee and all's sorted then, wide awake. In both instances, there is the onset of awakening, in one, its a natural unfolding, while in the other coercion had to be applied. Translate this to enlightenment, usage of drugs would be a similar thing ~ its a compensatory need, never to be confused with a naturally disciplined approach to spiritual awakening.
-
If you sense some sort of diabolical energy attempting to invade your space, a good sanctification method would be to invoke the protection of certain wrathful deities, with the pre-condition that consultation is first done with a Lama (this of course would depend if you have trust in Tibetan practices). In my lineage we recommend either Sengdongma or Sitatapatra. There are rituals involved, for example, visualizations and chanting of mantras, so it may not be your cup of tea. Should you want to adopt and invoke protective blessings from these deities, you may do so after obtaining the necessary input from an authoritative source. If this is not a favourable option, then you could simply chant their mantras out loud whenever you feel the onset of disturbance. This, however, is not going to bring as much benefit as proper invocation with visualizations coupled with an attendance to necessary ritualistic functions. Further readings: http://lol8.blogspot.ie/2012/08/the-story-of-lion-faced-dakini.html http://resources.tsemtulku.com/buddhas/dharma-protectors/sengdongma.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitatapatra This gives an idea of the rituals involved: http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/kechara-13-depts/dukkar-sitatapatra.html Or you could play this mantra repeatedly to help with space purification: Please pm should you require further info.
-
an authentic path is the most ordinary of paths. There are just too many distractions around, things that mesmerize and sway, one moment here, next moment, there.... and Kundalini is no different. Authentic Kundalini is not an experience. It is simply an unknotting process that works in tandem with a 'shedding' principle, much like a snake discarding its skin. When its done, its done. Not much use talking about the skin as it comes away, is there? More so when the old skin cannot be reused as patchwork. Why the fascination with the layers peeling off? Just get thru it, and get on with moving on. That is the crucial 'next', and always will be. The snake does not bother too much as it happens, so why do humans get all frazzled over it? By being mesmerized, there is the tendency to miss the lesson in transformation. Waste not this.
-
swallow, and stay still feel the growth of sensation bare feet on stone chips...
-
Samadhi is a fixation, often associated with samatha, which novice practitioners get attracted to due to the many resultant blissful, almost hypnogogic sensations. Getting to the in-between states is easy peasy for seasoned meditators. However, being able to drop the practice at once, and to remain easefully undistracted and awake, is the challenging aspect of the process.
-
I have no aversion to Adyashanti, nor any to Buddhism. My Buddhist teachers do not practice elitism ~ they welcome everyone with open arms. If some people have an aversion, or strong attraction for that matter, to any -Ism, that is something they may want to get some clarity around (or not). Shakyamuni taught that to say something is, is dependent on certain conditions, and to say something is not, that too, is dependent on certain conditions. When conditions are optimal, things become, and when this optimality declines, things change accordingly. Teachers are not exempted from this, and if we can bear this in mind, we can remain very open to everything, allowing things to come and go without being too excited or too cynical. Then we can truly say we are in tune with what is happening in and around us, without hope nor fear.
-
How does one 'choose' a religion, spiritual path, etc?
C T replied to qvrmy11vz's topic in General Discussion
The core principle in Bhakti Yoga is devotion to wisdom and compassion, as a non-dual outflow that gushes out from the heart-centre. This source is nameless, and no path can lay exclusive claim to its secret work. -
Well said..