C T

Actually, i think the natural state is already there, and everyone can have a glimpse of it from time to time. The introduction is there to dispel doubts, and that, given by a realized dzogchen yogi, is indeed very conclusive. It does not have to 'come' from anywhere, its already present. When a person manage to rest in that presence, even for most (and me) if its just for a few seconds, then he or she is no different from a buddha, but that is the crux of the whole recognition bit... to be able to expand this period of resting, of making it spontaneous, and not so much the issue of who or what tradition or sect has the right power to give a genuine pointing out. This pointing-out is secondary; what is of prime help is to be able to rest in it without any doubts arising, without distraction, without a sense of, "wow, i made it finally, i am resting in the natural state, how realized i have become" sort of way. Without the introduction or pointing out by the lama-yogi-dzogchen so and so, its hard to separate which is the genuine state and which is a fabricated one. For those who 'get it' the odd time, more than likely it wont even be seen as 'getting it' at all, it will be missed and its hard to say when the next incidental opportunity would pop up, and again, lost to doubt, delusion or distractive tendencies.

Not everyone can derive the same benefit or have the correct mind in place when they go receive pointing out instructions. Its not which system bestows a more quality-assured pointing-out, nor which lama is more superior. At the end of the day, its the student's connection with the instruction that counts for everything. If your connection is strong, you develop the tenacity to recognize mind essence again and again, resting often in the spacious unfabricated sky-like nature until it becomes a spontaneous habit. If the connection is weak, then the tendency to lose the inspiration among daily preoccupations is very much the norm, and after a while, the clarity gets clouded over and the light is lost. Which explains why many students like to hang around teachers and follow them everywhere they go teach. They want to borrow the teachers' light. For those who have the spiritual merit already generated, just one introduction is sufficient to generate great faith to practice on one's own.

I guess the first vital thing to do is to develop the desire to become brutally honest with oneself, which is based on self-love key no. 1 (facing the Truth about self). However, since this is very tough work which could make heavy demands on facing up to deep issues, fears, and so on, its often shirked by those prone to narcissistic tendencies. I suppose such an unpleasant exercise would be the very last thing for them to even remotely consider doing. I am also guessing that the second vital thing to do would be to learn mindfulness, followed by learning more about developing emotional intelligence. With mindful attention, those areas which require polishing with emotional intelligence can be clearly identified, and then practically addressed. Mindfulness practice also helps one to practice how to be consciously deliberate as a means to overcome impulsiveness, which is one primary weakness common in those with narcissistic tendencies and one which often triggers a whole bunch of other habitual responses. Narcissistic people often deny taking responsibility for the way they are. Thinking back to many years ago (in my mid 20s), i can see that i exhibited quite a lot of the traits associated with narcissism, and the denial of responsibility back then was frightening! It was an impossibility to even consider that there was any weakness in me at all, and that whatever issues would arise would always be the fault of others or instigated by others. Some of my friends have mentioned they have found Daniel Goleman's book Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More than IQ to be very insightful. Might be a good place to start? (apologies for the long-windedness)

Being true to your potential is not an egotistical endeavor. Narcissism arise and take root when someone begins to project non-existent images, status and ideals on themselves and then imagine that others see them in light of these non-existent 'qualities'. Self-love is not the same since its foundation is based on truth, understanding and acceptance. Truth overcomes irrationality and ignorance. Understanding overcomes the burden of fear. Acceptance nurtures compassion and wisdom. It takes guts to allow these gems to shine in oneself.

bumbling tumbling humbling numbing ego takes a fall.

births millennia mirthfully warm and tender cradling a minnow...

"When the clarity of practice becomes obscured by the dark and swirling energy of emotional distress, it is useful to have some clear and concise reminders to bring us back to reality. The first reminder is to awaken aspiration. On an elementary level, to awaken aspiration means simply that we remember to practice. Once we remember to practice, to awaken aspiration means that we see our particular distress as our path. Instead of seeing our distress as the enemy, as something to get rid of... instead of giving it juice by solidifying the thoughts around it into the heaviness and drama of 'me', we learn to view distress as our opportunity to see and to open." --- Ezra Bayda no mud, no lotus.

Inviting spirits is not Guru Yoga.

Your zeal is very much infectious, TI. (no pun eh?) A comment like this says a lot. 'Lama' is not external to your own enlightened nature. Just so you are clear. Although for fledgeling practitioners they are encouraged to first practice with the physical teacher whom they form a connection with. Naturally, humans have limitations, regardless. But the good thing is one's enlightening potential is limitless. We do have a choice at which level we want to step off.

As said In The Tantra of All-containing Jewels, No matter who practices for one hundred thousand aeons, By meditating on one hundred thousand deities, Just remembering the Lama is supreme. The merit of this is limitless. More than practicing and reciting a million mantras, Praying once to the Lama is supreme. And Saraha said, "For those who hold the Lama's speech in their heart, it will be like seeing a precious treasure in the palm of their hand."

Guru Yoga is a devotional practice. Westerners seem to have a hard time with it, generally speaking. Do you agree? Follow the practical guidelines with faith and care. Its the only way to experience the ocean of kindness from one's Guru. Hungry Ghosts and other spirits also desire the Guru's equanimous kindness.

In a word, no. (to the last question)

Could be a sign of global desperation too. Such large-scale spiritual fare does not necessarily augur well. It might, but the forecast is not looking rosy.

Considering the addiction to prostitution and the generally warped atmosphere found in sex clubs, massage parlors and also the many forms of sexual perversion one reads or hear of, i would opine that the opening question is certainly valid. If one were to reflect on how widespread the general sex industry (esp internet porn) is, i would think that bad energy/entity disturbances (in such a way as to cause imbalances) are already very much let loose on the planet, causing much havoc. Havoc in the sense that even kids are being exposed to stuff which would render their young minds vulnerable and open to exploitative possibilities. This is definitely a cause for much weariness as its a very negative cycle.

Transformation and healing through sound. http://www.fodian.net/world/cundi.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8a0liBlQ30 May this enliven your well-being and increase your merit!

You are right, its not a big deal. Its in fact very ordinary, and present in everyone. Ever hear the story of the guy who goes out searching for an elephant when there's one already in his sitting room? Its something like that. Its about recognizing potential daily, and very often this potential can become an ongoing actualization process thru applying awareness to one's thoughts, words and actions prior to their manifestation. That which gives rise to dissatisfaction and frustration comes from the fact that with most of us, awareness is only applied post-thought, post-words, and post-action. When this is the governing/pervasive factor, how could one ever wake up? By this, we have chosen to remain asleep in the comfort of past glories and regrets. The term 'waking up' is immense. Each morning we have to 'wake up' before anything else can happen. So, waking up, in every sense, must be the first thing we have to do. Then whatever follows will be a result of that awakeness and not otherwise.

a bus eats its tail is that a new-age thingy? put it on youtube!

a match on fire burn this agitated mind snake eats its own tail...

The term 'unknowable', if discarded, would put an end to enlightening potential. Woe be it if that ever happens.

i really like this! _/\_

Yup, its a massive industry... evolving and churning non-stop, from sustainable crops, fair trade to shoes made of hemp. And these stuff have become more expensive than what one can buy conventionally from the local stores!! Amazing, what shrewd marketing can do. Soon the prospect of a new-age Wall Street with its own Commodity Trading, hemp shoes, and all things alternative may become as real as grandma's apple pie. Think global shift and what this really really means.... Some alternative brothers and sisters are already licking their lips.

after more than 17,000 posts, its hard not to be both a fool and spiritually advanced, right, MH?