Jeff

Here is a description of a similar buddhist pratice from the "Heart Essence of the Khandro". ====================================================================== Page 52 ------------ QUOTE ---------- Try to visualize the Dakini as clearly as you can.... First of all look at the picture, it gives you a brief idea of her features. But don't think that the dakini you visualize is like this; she is not merely a painting, not always hanging out on the thankgka. She is completely luminous light, pure, and full of knowledge.... When you have completed the visualization of her whole body, focus there as long as you can. Then receive the three elements from her in the same way as usual. Wisdom fire emanates from her heart level and, entering the crown of your head, it burns away all your defilements. Then wisdom water flows from the Dakini's heart and washes away any defilements which are left. Finally visualize that wisdom wind comes to you from the Dakini's heart and blows away any remaining impurities. So you are completely purified, ready to receive the blessings of the Dakinis. Then after this, you receive the three seed syllables which represent the Dakini's body, speech and mind. These come to you as a white A, a red OM and a blue HUNG which emanate from the Dakini's forehead, neck and chest respectively and are integrated with you so that you become full of blessings and siddhi. That is real, practical initiation or empowerment. 'Empowerment' means that the Dakini's knowledge is transferred from her to you and you receive it through your devotion. That is what taking empowerment really means. Best wishes.

I will hop in for a while now too...

Hi Bruce Qi, I guess you could say that it has been sort of on the job experience. Such connections have be a part of my practices over the years. I have shared presence with a fairly large number of divine beings. In your specific case, you have chakras 1-4 (7 chakra system) or you could also say lower and middle dan tiens open to various degrees. As such, the being Cassandra that "you reached out to" is unlikely to be at the level of what I would call a divine being. More likely some female astral spirit or energy form. Always remember that it is your "mind" that is translating the energy/light. With a higher being, you will notice that your mind goes very clear and quiet. Almost like they are sharing clarity with you. Also, that enhanced clarity can stay with you for a couple of days. If you are interested, we can meet in the Taobums chat room and I can try to help show you the difference. Just send me a pm. Best, Jeff

Hi Bruce Qi, Sounds like some very cool experiences and your descriptions of a divine being visiting you very well. Such a connection that you describe is an example of you having an "open heart". Your visions with the void like experience are a sign that combined with the divine being you sort of rose two levels higher than your current "level". Happy to go into greater details if you want, or if you prefer, feel free to pm me. Best regards, Jeff

As I said in the earlier post, there are a large number of being that are available for such a purification/connection. Here are a few more (there are also corresponding male side beings) and relevant traditions that I would recommend... Taoism - Goddess Xi Wangmu Buddhism - Goddess Tara Egyptian - Goddess Hathor Mystical Christianity - Mary Magdolene Most traditions call such practices of connecting with them something like "divinity yoga" or a later stage tantric (energy) process. Making such a connection is creating sort of a "purification loop" with the divine being as a partner. The nature of the loop is the same as with a human female partner, but given the relative higher clarity of the divine being, the purification process is on a much broader range. The challenge is in actually making the connection (or reaching) the divine being since they do not currently reside at a manifest physical layer. Hence one prays/requests for a visit (and hopes they come) or in many traditions a guru/master makes an introduction (acts as a conduit or power booster). Such an introduction can also be called an "empowerment" in various traditions. Once a direct channel to the divine being is opened, reconnecting on your own becomes much easier. Such a connection requires a fairly advanced initiate. Even with the help of a master/guru, it requires someone to be at least open/full to the middle dan tien (or heart chakra - yoga). Direct access on your own requires much higher. With an active connection, what is experienced is related to your own relative clarity/level and should be remembered that it is all sort of your "local translation" of the energy flow. At lower levels, one experiences energy/vibrations (often at the heart). With the 3rd eye open, one will first see bright lights, later the divine being, then increasing intimacy with the divine being. With the growing connection comes the "cosmic sex". At even higher levels, the sexual stuff is cleared/dropped and one begins to experience "oneness" in all of its various forms. Or you could say that the "loop" grows to include all of the universe. Hope that helps. Happy to answer any follow up questions.

Sure. On what topic... Other possible beings that are "reachable"? Or, the process of connecting/reaching them? Or, how it "works"?

There are many such beings, but it is about purification/cultivation. Things like "cosmic sexual experience" is how the local body mind "translates" the powerful energy/light flows and not the purpose. In the Taoist tradition/family, Xi Wangmu is very powerful and directly active in this dimensional human world system. Best wishes.

There is definitely a greater loop when all 7 (chakras) are open. The "famous 1-4" is really just a starting point. The partners create sort of a joint purification loop that takes both parties higher. Also, such a process is not limited to the body, but can go on to contain "all".

Yes, and such "seeing" (or knowing) is translating into "local mind".

JinlianPai, I have no doubt that such radiating of golden light is possible. With the radiating, it is more a question of capacity of those attempting to "see it". As, you earlier quotes describe, some were "trained" to be able to see it. But, whether one sees it or not, all will feel it at least at some "subconscious" basis. Such an immortal manifest at a "human" level is very rare, but can be "felt in the heart" by all. Best regards, Jeff

JinlianPai, Happy to discuss the tantric/alchemic process and the differences between some late stage Immortal and Buddha paths. Would like it in generic terms or more specifically starting and explaining from your personal current energy body state? Best, Jeff

Sounds like a very worthy topic. But, such golden elixir does not relate to physical gold. All of the components of the elixir are found inside "you". Or, better yet, you could say that one clears away all of the "gunk" (obstructions) that blocks one from realizing that one has always been a golden immortal. The greater the "clarity", the higher the immortal.

JinlianPai, As I stated above, there is definitely something to the radiating of a "golden light". My original point was about the level (or layer) of "seeing" such a light, not the radiating it self. Such "pure light/energy radiance" is beyond the local body mind, hence the local mind "translates" it into seeing a golden color. Anything one "sees" is like a reflection in "local mind", and hence subject to the local issues, fears and prejudices (or learned concepts) of the being. And as you quoted in you OP, one merges their heavenly heart with the universe. With such a true merger, one first "touches" the universe, but then expands to "be" the entire universe, which is the second part of the Heart Sutra that I mentioned above (or Void = Form). With the realization of ultimate emptiness, one knows that both of those parts as the same, and the Dharmakaya that you mentioned is realized. What most call an "immortal" in taoism is more like the Sambhogakaya in classic buddhist sutra. Best, Jeff

Ok. Happy to discuss the specifics of the differences if you are ever interested. Any level of detail you would like. Best wishes, Jeff

With true "golden elixir" you are "not only to the earth and sun but every star in the universe."

It is most common in various Sufi traditions.

Hi JillianPai, What you are describing above, is not the concept of becoming a "buddha" in either sutra or tantric buddhism. Also, if one looks at the Heart sutra, you will see that your concept of "returning to void" is only a part of the buddhist framework. The Heart Sutra says... That the realization of emptiness is that both Form = Void and Void = Form and that the two are exactly the same thing. Your "return to void" is only the first half of the equation, or Form collapses down to void/nothingness. Such a realization is only a starting point in buddhism (or any primordial path). Best, Jeff

I was not trying to make any judgement about Lu Dong Bin. Just explaining details around the process of translating perceived "energy flows" into colors. A good example is how various traditions translate the color "black". Many translate it as bad or a negative indicator, but given other traditions it is known as "clear light" or the highest form (beyond even golden). Also, if one is proving to himself, he is still a "local self" and has not yet realized something like... "When your Heavenly Heart merges with that of the Universe, you become a Buddha. "

Hi rainbowvien, I completely agree that such golden light is very real and can be percieved by others. But that "visible" light is an astral level perception. Sort of a "local mind" level translation of the energy radiation of the being. Like with different traditions having different numbers of chakras or dan tiens they "see" (3, 5, 6, 7, 12, etc...), each "lineage" has sort of it's own learned mental mapping of lights and colors. Finally, I would also agree that a true master radiates like a "sun", but ultimately a truly great sun collapses into itself and becomes a "black hole". Such a black hole "pulls" on the obstructions/issues/fears of others, helping create new Suns. One notices a black hole not by any visible light, but by the gravitational effect of the Suns (and planets) around it. Best wishes, Jeff

Excellent point. Seeing such colors is just a translation (or arising) in mind.

Hi Jetsun, My definition of what is called "kundalini" is much broader that what some call just the energy that flows up (or down) the spine. I would also agree that the body can be seen as a subset of the mind as described above, and hence energetic opening can show up in any part of the body. But that what you are calling mind continues to merge/integrate into all the exists (and has the potential to exist), or in your above framework "univeral Self". With that realization, the body becomes the entire universe and the heart has no center other than ones focus (or attention). Then after a while, one notices that such focus defines what is percieved (and hence exists), ultimately leaving one with sort of a focus (clarity) and nothingness. Or you could say that the nesting dolls are seen through. Best, Jeff

What you call "kundalini" is just the result of ongoing clarity (and a necessary part of the process). After the upper chakras open, the process continues on to merge and integrate the chakras into a sort of "unified field" (or light body). That unified field is based in the "heart". Based in the heart, that field is the balance and merging of emptiness and clarity. Best wishes.

Agreed. Ringing is definitely not bad.

Hi CT, Here are a couple examples for you... From our Kashmir Saivite point of view, however, kundalini yoga is the most important yoga in this system. Kashmir Saivism explains that there are three paths of kundalini yoga: para kundalini yoga, cit kundalini yoga, and prana kundalini yoga. -Secret Supreme (Lakshmanjoo) For this reason, the breathing methods and those of concentration on the chakras and channels are indispensable, together with perfect mastery of the Kundalini energy. - The Supreme Source (Norbu) Best, Jeff

To answer your question... I have made many good friends on this website. Many who I learn, grow and share much with. Is that not the nature of a real relationship? Also, sorry it has taken me a while to respond to your question, was busy last night. Harder to have a dialogue (and share) when both parties are not available to chat (and explain details) at the same time...