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What i know is not relevant. I am interested in what you know, otherwise i would not waste your time with the queries. You might have thought i was trying to be smart, but i was not. I am sincerely wanting to know what you think is the way to achieve a stable, unmovable realization of that which you proclaim is the prime antidote to the world's miseries. Its easy to say metta, but how does one set up one's life so that metta can be cultivated and practiced? The reason i am interested is because to many people, metta is merely lip service. I am interested to know, in your view, how does one overcome the major obstacles so that metta can take root and flourish in people's lives?

You ascribed a way of life which is fundamentally what 99.9 percent of beings yearn for... a life filled with selfless love, which you assert will bring an end to suffering. Is this correct? You appear to have identified where the goal lies. Yearning, dreaming, fantasizing... its all good, we all tend to indulge from time to time. Mine is to win the Euromillions lottery My question is: IYO, What's the path that leads to the goal? (I know, its not a goal in the conventional sense, but you know what i mean i hope). What does a person have to do in order to bring about this realization you speak of?

Sure, why not... such are after all lofty ideals which many beings dream of, and many strive to create in their lives since time immemorial. What's the cutting-edge flight-plan?

How does one begin, and sustain, the experience of love in its true form? What is love in its true form, first of all? Is it fundamentally an experience? Tied to the skandhas? Or not? Either way, what do you think the implications are?

Usnisa Vijaya Dharani chanting on Youtube: _/\_

Not sure what to make of it really. Very impressive architecture and engineering involved in building the main sanctum for the dhyanalinga. http://dhyanalinga.org/architecture.htm Any background info on the teacher Jaggi Vasudev? I heard he lives as opulent a lifestyle as Osho once did. I am wondering what sort of life philosophy he advocates to his devotees.

~ dp

Technically speaking, i would say yes to the question of connection to a group who shares similar ideals in order to imbue purpose into the intention. I am sure you are well aware of the benefits in this regard, especially when starting out. Having said that, presently i have no active involvement with any particular sangha .... back in 95 when i began intensive probing into the Dzogchen path, it led me to one, which welcomed and offered support as they would to any serious novice. Took refuge with the head Teacher of the group in 96. This lasted several good years where i actively participated in retreats, volunteered services, helped where needed, and offered regular donations when i can. It was a great learning experience, no regrets. All went well, and i made some deep connections with a few special individuals and had the merit to meet some awakened teachers whom to this day still inspires me. Over time, i became less dependent on the support, and because the centre is some 4 hours drive away, the frequency of visits lessened, but i still make it there to see old friends at least twice each year ~ its also an opportune time to soak in the special vibe of the place, kinda like recharging the old battery . There are however practitioners who do not have access to a 'live' sangha, or have not found one which met their needs, or could not manage to feel belonged even after making sincere attempts to do so. Is this a hindrance to the practice? Personally, i do not think its any serious obstacle at all. A practitioner, first and foremost, takes refuge in his or her own potential for enlightenment, and then, thru practice, gradually learn to merge this potential with an awakened lineage, which begins with Buddha Shakyamuni, spreading down to a whole pantheon of Mahabodhisattvas, Arhats, Mahasiddhas and so on. It has a lot to do with what one is able to sustain with mindfulness and for how long, and less to do with outward, public displays of subservience, although when refuge in the Buddha is strong, then naturally, one becomes very open and humble to all other Buddhist practitioners and also with people in general, and sometimes, even 'enemies' can be viewed as part of of one's sangha, because they also have a strong contribution towards helping to awaken us to our pure Buddha nature. On a deeper, more ultimate kind of level, at the heart of the practice, i would say that taking refuge is like putting an official endorsement on one's willingness to remain open to anyone or any situation which points out, reminds, or sustains one's clear and deep desire to awaken to one's Buddha essence, so in this sense, the sangha can be vast indeed. All the best!

Had a browse of their website. They have an organic cafe selling home-grown foods, but that's closing down end of September... but it looks like they're still active in other areas. Lineage looks fine by me. Curious though that you mentioned the need for a new spiritual guide... what happened to the previous one? And why Zen? Care to share?

Well, i happen to think you are super too, Mat! Its my hope the fledgling Buddhist community here, and the wider Tao Bums community, can continue unhindered to inspire one another towards greater spiritual realizations. I agree... Seth's unselfish sharings of his spiritual journeys/evolvement often drives me towards greater motivation to practice harder! Wouldn't it be simply brilliant if more 'new' Buddhist practitioners would come forward to offer their insights as well. There are quite a few here, but it seems there is not enough participation at the moment. I think Harmonious Emptiness, Jetsun, Ambrose, Serene B and other regulars like Xabir , Rex, Sunya, Forest, VH are all doing a fine job in offering to share their wise insights with everyone here. (i do wonder why VH has decided to lay off posting ~ hope he is well.) Well done, everyone... May all your aspirations bear fruit ~ May the light of compassion shine forth equanimously upon all of you. _/\_

Refuge to one seeking to cultivate the Buddhist path is like yeast to a bread-maker. He may have a hundred different recipes for making all kinds of fanciful breads and wonderful patisseries, but he needs good yeast. I think taking Refuge does not imply being bound in any way. In fact, its the opposite. Then every single thought, every word spoken, every interaction with self and others, becomes an opportunity to touch one's Buddha heart and germinate the essence within. Why should there be guilt associated with the Buddhist path? If we have been insincere with the path of refuge, we simply acknowledge that, and then set our minds to apply determined effort to help others not make the same error. In doing so, a person not only learns to be more sincere, he or she is actually putting into practice Right View and Right Effort, which then trickles down into generosity and loving kindness in action for others, and thru repetitive cycles, slowly whatever broken samayas have occurred in the past are repaired, without even having to make any conscious effort to look for each single transgression and mend them one by one, which requires too much laborious effort, which is basically a total waste of time and energy anyway. I think in some ways this is what is meant by creating positive causes without dwelling too much on analyzing past effects of right and wrong actions. If one keeps one's mind on doing the right things in each moment, each day, then slowly, whatever has had a negative impact in one's life, due to past karma, will dissipate, including all residual remains as well. And the most effective way to keep one's body, speech and mind on the right path is thru refuge and aspirational practices. In such practices, we should not focus/obsess so much about getting results ~ instead, we learn to direct attention on using what we think we are lacking in to help others by encouraging them not to fall into similar errors. Naturally, when we see others improving themselves due to this encouragement, we will spontaneously become very inspired ~ our motives become purer, our sincerity becomes more authentic, and this in turn leads to greater and more expansive fulfillment and peace. Then, in finding this fulfillment and peace, our seeking Refuge becomes more open, more spacious... in turn, when finally others feel this genuine freedom and ease in us, they too become inspired to practice well. So everyone wins from the simple act of taking refuge!

_/\_

Good idea, mate, about starting a new topic. No worries, swipe away if you must.

I dont really have a choice. Every single past thought, feeling, emotion, observation and action, having accumulated precisely the way they were meant to accumulate, brought me to this present phase of being. I did not set out with any specific purpose or goal. I still do not practice with any precise formulation of what i want to achieve with the spiritual life ~ i simply allow whatever happens to happen. Lately i am beginning to sense the presence of divine fragrances and aromas around me, even when i know there is no logical likelihood for these smells being there... Cant say for sure why, and which precise practice brought this about, but if pressed, i would say its a cumulative result of cultivation. Did i intend for this to unfold? Not that i am consciously aware of. As for enlightenment, i dont really think about it, unless i am reminded how enchanting it always appears to some folks here on the forum. One thing i am almost certain about is that its not some facet of spiritual pursuit where one can set out to purposefully achieve a state of what they deem to be 'higher', filled with immense profundity and supra-transcendent. I see the transformative process as impersonal, ever on-going, yet at times intermittent, with ups and downs (but these moments are also crucial learning aspects and curves of the great flow), and also, there is no pinnacle of realization, conventionally speaking, in that such a position cannot be pointed at, where one can say, "There, i have got it". This is the greatest delusion, in my humble view.

This might add a bit of perspective to the discussion ~ Ayatana ~ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayatana

I am sorry, you have lost me again. That's twice from knocking around a couple of posts with you. You are too advanced for me, so i am disengaging from further exchanges. Moreover, i dont think you are very perceptive - advanced maybe, but short on intuitive awareness. Why do i say this? Because a valid statement was made, one backed by authentic lineages which goes back a couple of thousand years, and you cheaply dismiss it as some common idea thought up by a modern day guru who is hard up to earn a few bucks off some shallow philosophical mumbo jumbo. Well, if this the kind of attitude you want to adopt, there is no reason to press further, so, all the best to you. May your ideas find its right audience.

I love stories!! Let me tell you one in return. This is a true story related by one Gyaltsab Rinpoche to one of his students. It goes like this... There was once a Buddhist yogin (name not revealed) who wandered through Afghanistan and parts of Iran. After some time, he began to teach. Because of the geographical/cultural significance of the general area where he found himself, this very realized teacher interchanged Buddhist philosophical terms like Dharmakaya and Buddha-Essence/nature of Mind with Allah when he taught, as a means to gain common understanding and appeal among those who came to his teachings. The sensitivity and depth of his work later came to the attention of a Sufi elder, who subsequently recognized this yogin as his lineage successor. After this elder passed on, this Buddhist teacher took over teaching the Sufi congregation, and when he eventually passed away as well, he was recognized as a great Sufi saint. Apparently, the attachment to Buddhist Dharma or Islamic Dharma was of no concern, nor issue, for this great but now unfortunately relatively forgotten teacher; to him, the play of appearances was simply a means to express something beyond any cultural or spiritual reference. (read the above story in a friend's blog) Nice story... and good lesson too.

Actually they sustain one another in a symbiotic circle. Nothing inherently wrong with things, nor with ego. Its the identification and grasping after which solidifies dualistic tendencies, and this is the basic cause of life's perceived miseries. Do you really see the need to tone down anything? If so, a person who sees this way is still trapped in functioning on a dualistic level. According to you, there should not be anything to subtract, right? The way is about ease. Discipline and faith, while noble, ultimately has limitations. Find the path which has zero limitations.

Hey L7... deep thanks for that Kuntuzangpo link. _/\_ Very direct.

Simply trying to help eh? (read your op again eh? different settings in which specific mudras apply were shown in the link.)

A quick guide to Buddhist mudras --- http://www.buddhas-online.com/mudras.html

This is the reason i chose the path of Dzogchen ~ for me, its the most natural of all spiritual paths. There is no contrivance within the heart of the practice. A Dzogchen practitioner is encouraged often to try to use whatever crops up physically and mentally as tools for awakening/liberation (be it tension, anxiety, pain, anger, frustration, confusion etc ~ these are all carriers of potentially powerful energetic sources ~ if one puts effort into seeing beyond good and bad and learn to connect with the essence of all emotional/mental arisings, then whether one is ecstatic or in total despair, there is fundamentally no difference... one can and should use the bare essence of all energetic displays as tools to further one's path, and when mastered, then dealing with life becomes effortless, like a hot knife slicing thru butter. Attaining stability in this, eventually, one will become fearless, one-pointed, and always resting in equanimity. There is no need whatsoever to seek for optimum mental, emotional and physical states in the Dzogchen path, especially the need to clear thoughts, and also, there is no requirement, for example, to find the beginning or source of energy or light. Once dualistic tendencies (feminine/masculine) are disbanded, everything can be used (as energy sources) on the path to total transformation, even what is conventionally seen as bad or lacking in virtue ~ all becomes firewood. (That last remark about the origins pouring out from within the fabric.... dont you think that's a bit too abstract, no? Maybe it means something to you, if so, how about re-phrasing it so that it can be related to in a clearer way?)

Sorry to hear of your anguish. Without meeting you, its nearly impossible to say what will specifically help, since the cause(s) may or may not be what you have have alluded to. So, just offering a general observation: There is some sequential projections going on for sure. So much so you have begun to allow a mould to take shape, and this mould has begun to overpower the one that's there before this seemingly harrowing sequence began. This could either be conscious to you, or it may be denied, in which case, its subconscious. Each time you indulge in self-defeating self-talk, this mould, which, hopefully is still not fully crusted yet, will solidify by another degree, which, over time, and without seeking appropriate assistance, will become harder and harder to break. I do not believe anyone here is in any position to help you break this mould that appears to be organically growing, gradually shutting down all your remaining compassionate energy (remember: the energy of compassion is that primordial power within each sentient being that spontaneously chooses happiness and life over suffering and death). Advice is good, but at this point, they will be pretty limp at best, because you have to muster whatever resistance you have right now and go seek guidance with the appropriate authority. Depending on your beliefs, this authority should be well-versed accordingly. If you belief it has to do with some transgressions against Kali, then logic tells me that you should seek out a healer from either the Hindu, Bon or Indian/Tibetan/Bhutanese/Nepalese Buddhist traditions. Going to a Christian priest may actually aggravate the situation, not that he or she is useless, but whatever is afflicting you (not saying for sure this something is external to your own mind) will be given a potential to use the meeting to mock you further, so this wont be helpful. I believe cultural affiliations under such circumstances plays a major role in the healing process ~ do you understand what i am pointing to here? Please take action without any further delay. Find a priest or lama now, someone who lives close by, and in whom you have some faith in. Even if this person cannot offer immediate assistance, he or she will hopefully be able to intercede on your behalf with prayers and offerings, and then perhaps refer you to someone higher up, hopefully a master siddha or yogi, who definitely will be able to set the situation right for you. Note of caution - if any of these masters ask you for monetary commitments, chances are they are not sincere, and i personally would avoid such individuals. In the meantime, i am sure there are some members here who are pretty adept at distance healing thru prayers, so if any of these folks are willing to PM you (some personal details may be required) well, some small positive intercession could be sought on your behalf. If no one comes forward, then at the very least, i will include you in my prayers. Cant do it without your first name though, so you can either PM me, or leave it here should you decide to post here again (from past experience, some posters who make posts like this never show up again after making the initial post, and all the kind folks' efforts to help simply go up in smoke). Heart blessings to you my friend. Sorry for the long-winded post.

This existence of ours is as transient as autumn clouds. To watch the birth and death of sentient beings is like looking at the movements of a dance. A lifetime is like a flash of lightning in the sky, rushing by, like a torrent down a steep mountain. ************************************************************************ Indeed, the truth has never been preached by the Buddha, seeing that one has to realize it within oneself.

Actually i think ignorance is the root of suffering, not bliss. The root of bliss is transcendence of dualistic interpretations of things flowing into the field of awareness.