stefos

3bob, Sir, I NEVER accused you of being that particular individual! If you read what I state in my post, you'll see that I said "Me "minding" or not sir, is irrelevant...I really mean that, Who am I anyway? " I also stated "if you are a different person" meaning "If you aren't the same guy." It was categorically NOT an attack upon your person. I apologize but I believe you are being overtly sensitive to something I didn't even say to you. Stefos

Hi! Yes, sir, you'll be alone most of the time! People in general don't want to hear this because they are pursuing worldly things: Sex, drugs, money, bigger & bigger position, better car, better home or apartment, etc. When a crisis or death knocks at the door, my friend, these people who've chosen not to examine these things discussed on TTB will be in a psychological crisis of IMMENSE proportions........And I feel very sad about them...It breaks my heart actually.....They choose not to search after these things. Look, in my view: be mindful, be honest & truthful, be harmless, have integrity in your own person. If you do the moral thing even when no one is looking, you will have no problems with your conscience. If you meet other people who share a similar heart as yours, love them and respect them. You can ALWAYS PM me....I'll be here for you and I will respond promptly. If you want to communicate by email, we can do that too! If you want to write, we can do that too! Please don't be sad....I love you (Please don't take it in a sexual way, it's not meant to be) Be Blessed! Stefos P.S. Your TBB name is Greek "Not for a name/Nameless".......Ellinas eimai kai eyo

Hi, I don't own this thread or website but would contribute financially to it. Me "minding" or not sir, is irrelevant...I really mean that, Who am I anyway? If you're the same person that did nothing but argue with me approx. 6mos ago, I'll give you the below to read,.....I am not into polemics..... If you are a different person, please read it anyway!: Guru Norbu Rinpoche is not a "Buddhist" as such. He is teaching "Beyond the sickness of effort" The Natural State & Self Liberating thought are beyond "effort" i.e. using mind to crush mind, be it via Tantric or Thera ways, even beyond the Ngondro of Mahamudra! Most schools of "Buddhism" are not Buddhist at all.....For example How many different "Buddhist" sects are there? They are not all right.....impossible. They each promulgate their own methodology of Soteriology. No, The Buddha spoke about that which is "Unborn, Undying, Unconditioned, etc." The Buddha made a difference between the mind and that which "enables" the mind to even exist...It's the substratum and to me it's not different than Brahman. My apologies then! I believed that you did state that......No need for an ultra serious tone please. It was merely a statement. I did not hear him say that personally. I have been on 2 retreats with him. People generally meet together at his residence either on the Tsegyalgar property or in Buckland, Massachusetts during a retreat, which generally falls in the summer. I'm not sure where his residence is honestly. I'd like to ask you how & what let to you to believe Jesus is beyond being a Dzogchen master. I'd like to know if you're willing to share. If you don't want to because you've posted it already, if you kindly point me to where it is, I'll search for it. Thanks.....Again apologies as I thought you posted that particular statement. Stefos

If you PM Tibetan Ice.....He'll tell you because HE posted it initially, if I'm not mistaken. I don't make things up. Nevertheless, it WAS stated on this forum and quoted. Secondly sir, If we exist in beyond the mere body & brain combo and if spiritual realities are just that "real," Why would a "Buddhist" teacher, the Buddha didn't come to make "Buddhism", not acknowledge this? Rudolf Steiner in his works for example talks about Buddha, Christ, Zarathustra, etc. He said they ALL had an understanding of the divine/transcendental and that none of them were wrong. Finally, What wrong thing did Jesus say or do? When you keep what he said or did in context, it's a moot point. God bless you, Stefos

Hi 9th, Yes.....Empowerment vs. Transmission! Not the same "Beyond the sickness of effort........" Yes, this describes Dzogpa Chenpo. It's akin to people saying "Jesus started Christianity..." I think to myself "No, Jesus didn't come to "start" another religion" OR The Kingdom of Heaven being external misunderstood in the phrase "When I die I'm going to heaven" God made heaven according to the Bible....Furthermore God is the goal not "going to heaven" Blessings on you sir....... Stefos P.S. Is that a nice Thangka of a Rainbow body Samantabhadra I see in the middle of your pictures? Thank you

OR sir, He may have made that comment because he knew what he was talking about.....The most obvious answer. I have been on two retreats with Guru Norbu and He's not senile nor delusional. I saw no trace of either and I was observing him quite well. God bless you! Stefos

Hi, It appears to me that Buddhists that I've spoken with, on this forum and not on this forum, seem to "degrade" any theist of any form of theism. I don't appreciate people who are not enlightened and who have not actually read all the available sourcework about this man making statements. All the evidence I've read about points to SRM as a person who understood SOMETHING. That's all sir......Buddhist speak against Theism is my problem. If you'd like to discuss my view of "Theism" we may in private. Thank you Hi, You know, MANY people read the "Old Testament" and "New Testament" and don't perceive what's actually being said! For example....Creation = The sun and moon weren't created until Day 4 Jewish commentaries from days of yore, per se, said that before the sun and moon were made, Light & Dark functioned in the form of a mixture. Also, The Tanakh "Old Testament in English" DOES talk about Astrology as being real but that it can't be trusted beyond a certain point! Have you heard this stuff before? Finally, sir, Numbers in the "Old" & "New" testaments: I challenge you to read Leviticus carefully and look at the number patterns....You will see a meaning hidden below the surface of the text........I promise you that you will. Take care... In Hebrew, this phrase means "I will be what I will be"....Present tense, not future. Furthermore, All things are resolved into God. The "New Testament" says that "God is Love" The Apostle Paul in the "New Testament" says "Love is patient, kind, is not envious, does not boast, DOES NOT SEEK ITS OWN, etc." I'd like to stop right here and let's think about this for 2 secs......O.K. The problem with people is that we are selfish.....God according to biblical definition "DOES NOT SEEK ITS OWN" in other words....God is selfless....SELFless my friend. So, when I see teachings about the non-dual state, either in Buddhism or in Vedanta, I say "Yes....The self must go." Finally, In Galatians Chapter 5, The Apostle Paul talks about the "deeds of the flesh." What is the hub round which these "deeds of the flesh" spin? The self. I send my well wishes to you Stefos

Hello, I think you've fundamentally misunderstood what I've stated.........Let me REstate it: I received Guru Yoga Transmission by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, NOT an empowerment. Transmission is NOT empowerment. One "empowers" things like lungta....Tantric Vajrayana practice entails the giving of "empowerments." NOT Dzogchen.....Dzogchen entails receiving transmission...A BIG difference sir. The purpose of transmission is to see the nature of the mind as it's called in Dzogpa Chenpo. Thank you and I love you...really (Please don't take that in a sexual manner, it is not meant as such!) Stefos

My friend....Have you received Shaktipat from a real Guru or Transmission from a Dzogchen master? You gain something alright = An understanding that this physical dimension is simply provisional. The Lord Jesus Christ loves you and heck so do I. Stefos......Blessed with transmission from Chogyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche and by God's manifesed presence

Hey Player...... I have not had TK or PK but I have had prophetic visions both in trance & non trance states. Furthermore, I have had a psychometrist "read" my keys and tell me what I was wanting to do..and she was right. There was no "normal" way she could have known nor did I give her verbal or body cues. Finally, sir/ma'am, after a lifting of a veil type thing from my eye area, I have seen bands of color paralleling the ribcage of a lady one day: The colors were a twinkling pastel green (closest to the ribcage) and then twinkling pastel purple. From research I have garnered that I had a perception of seeing a part of the "astral body" of this person........That kind of perception has never happened to me again. We can talk any time you want. Jesus loves you man/ma'am! Stefos P.S. I bet you weren't expecting that were you? LOL! My perceptions have been different...even as a child there was no way I could have thought about what I've been through.

This is the most ridiculous thing I've seen IN MY LIFE.......hands down. Rating Gurus? If one observes the guru, one would understand the guru...particularly if one actually sat down and spoke with the guru and observed the guru's actions! Is that NOT the way to test? Jesus said "A bad tree cannot bear good fruit....Nor a good tree bad fruit." Consider this......... Stefos

Dear 9th, You are officially excellent. I thank you for your kindness and not brow beating me nor people in this discussion to death. Yes, I've received transmission in regards to Dzogpa Chenpo through Chogyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche and I've been to a number of retreats with him present. Now....Why are people so mean about Brahman and Rigpa? Hmmmm? Why? I spoke with a Buddhist in Vermont and this person emphatically said "There is NO God" in a very angry manner. It seems to me that many so-called "Buddhists" are very angry people who had a notion about "God" and never questioned what they believed AND never really read the Tanakh or New Testment.........Period. I own the Nikayas in English both from Wisdom publications & from the PTS..... I also own the Visuddhimagga & Vimuttimagga (a text on which the Vis. was culled from) I have never flipped out nor "lost my cool" and I believe in God because of my experiences in my life not because of a book! Guru Norbu Rinpoche actually even stated that Jesus was a Dzogchen master! Reality IS stranger than fiction. Comments please sir...... With much love Stefos P.S. I appreciate the Thangkas you have posted......Particularly Samantabhadra...E MA HO!

Hey player, I've received transmission insofar as Dzogchen is concerned. Words are needed to point to something but they ultimately don't mean the thing. Teachers are EXTREMELY important but are provisional......Teaching as well........Merely provisional. Stefos

Hi all, The abyss is a Greek word (Aveesos in Greek....I'm Greek by the way & it's my first language.) Quote from Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. AbyssIn our English Bibles, the Greek word abyssos [a [busso"] is transliterated as "abyss" (RSV "bottomless pit") in every instance except Romans 10:7, where it is translated "the deep." In the Septuagint abyssos [a [busso"] translates Tehom almost exclusively, but in rare instances ShuLam ( Isa 44:27 ), MeshuLam ( Job 41:22 ), and Racha ( Job 36:16 ). In the Old Testament abyssos [a [busso"] is invariably descriptive of the watery depths of the earth, whether oceans or springs, in contradistinction to the land (e.g., Psalm 77:16 ; 78:15 ; 106:9 ; Isa 51:10 ; Amos 7:4 ), although in Psalm 71:20, "the depths of the earth" are spoken of in a manner almost signifying death (however, it probably means no more than the depths of one's troubles on earth). Abyssos [a [busso"] never translates Sheol, so in the Old Testament it never carries the idea of the realm of the dead or the afterlife. In Genesis 1:2 the total inchoate earth is called "the deep, " over which the Spirit of God hovered. During the intertestamental period the situation began to change and the meaning of abyssos [a [busso"] broadened to include the idea of death as well as the realm of demonic spirits (e.g., Jub 5:6; 1 Enoch 10:4, 11). In the New Testament the changeover is complete. Abyssos [a [busso"] is never used to refer to the waters of the earth. Here it is used in two ways. First, in Romans 10:7 Paul uses it specifically to mean "the realm of the dead, " drawing from Deuteronomy 30:12-14, but not quoting exactly. He contrasts "ascent into heaven" with "descent into the abyss, " but because Christ was there, the abyss should not be conceived as an evil or demonic realm. Second, Luke (8:31) and John ( Rev 9:1-2 ; 11:7 ; 17:8 ; Revelation 20:1 Revelation 20:3 ) describe the abyss specifically as the dwelling place of demons and the beast and as a place of confinement unto judgment that is under God's control. In lu 8:31 the demons beg Jesus not to send them into the abyss, knowing that they will no longer be free to wreak havoc on the earth. Here, abyssos [a [busso"] is similar to tartarus [tartarovw] in 2pe 2:4, where the angels that sinned are confined until the judgment. In John's vision of the fifth trumpet ( Rev 9:1-11 ), the shaft leading to the abyss is opened, releasing the demonic hoard of locusts. Their ruler is "the angel of the abyss, " whose name is Destruction (Heb. Abaddon; Gk. Appolyon). The beast who ascends from the abyss ( Rev 11:7 ; 17:8 ) presents a complex picture. Combined, it represents the antichrist, demonic power, Rome (i.e., political power as supportive of the harlot), and ultimate evil. This beast is to be thrown alive into the "fiery lake of burning sulphur" ( Rev 19:20 ). Satan is chained in the abyss for a thousand years ( Revelation 20:1 Revelation 20:3 ), until he, too, is thrown into the lake of fire ( Rev 20:10 ) Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Edited by Walter A. Elwell Copyright © 1996 by Walter A. Elwell. Published by Baker Books, a division of Baker Book House Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan USA. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Does this help? Stefos I think it does.

I can say one thing about Dzogchen transmission: It is "done" by the teacher/Master to the student not thru a book. No book can give direct transmission. My Guru Chogyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche has always stated that you need a teacher for direct transmission or another form of transmission: Showing a crystal rock and peacock feather without the teacher saying anything. I can't say more about this as this is part of samaya! Now, Jiddhu Krishnamurti himself was a teacher of "choiceless awareness" and even he, who was anti-guru in the sense that the guru was THE penultimate to be trusted unequivocally, walked people through the "process" of actual choiceless awareness. He always said things like "Go further into it sirs" or "Please, the speaker is not merely talking" or "Take a journey along with the speaker" etc. to get people actually involved IN choiceless awareness and not just make an intellectual abstraction out of it. Stefos.......My 1 cent worth

O.K. ! I'm not exactly sure what you mean by this. It appears to be a play on words but I have a disconnect going on. Care to share this in plainer language? Thanks Stefos

That is cool. Thank you Stefos

This is basically the only answer...........Verbal dialogue ends at a certain point my man. No word or language can fully convey the absolute. Thank you My apologies.......Please forgive me. I don't know who said this but "Whoever you are....I apologize." What a convoluted mess. Dzogchen & Brahman do correspond. Sir, you haven't answered my question really: Sri Ramana Maharshi Guru Padmasambhava Jiddhu Krishnamurti Were they "enlightened" to any degree? If so, WHAT degree? You see, Islam/Judaism/Christianity all state that there is one God and one way. The same is stated by SRM, GP, JK...........in other words, really there IS exclusivity in understanding THAT. I look forward to your insights....with gratitude. Stefos

Hi 3bob, Here's the break down...... I don't think you're arrogant. By saying "Be honest" I meant to level with me in an open & easy to understand manner. By saying "Not B.S. you" I meant to express non-academic & "put yourself in an unenlightened persons position" thoughts about the matter In no way should you take what I've said to you to be construed as an attack on your person.....Nope! I don't do that.......That is unloving. Rather because of "certain experiences" that I've had, I want to make sure I'm not being duped. I do apologize if you felt that I "Struck" you.....Again, I simply want true answers and not conjecture/speculation/philosophical wrangling. By the way, I'm not accusing you. For example: Sri Ramana Maharshi......Was he enlightened or not? Many people saw him & he was legit, not fake. Many true stories exist. He expressed Sat-Chit-Anand Guru Padmasambhava...Was he enlightened or not? Many people saw him too & he was legit, not fake. Many true stories exist. He expressed the nature of mind which is Dzogchen. Jiddhu Krishnamurti....Was he enlightened or not? Ditto.....He was very dogmatic when it came to "coming upon that which is eternal" Period. Krishnamurti denied both Sat-Chit-Anand & Dzogchen BUT he did state "the eternal" and he did teach "choiceless awareness" and it's self liberating mechanism which is also taught in Dzogchen! Krishnamurti blew off the Buddha's sayings as well: Both in the Pali & Mahayana texts. Krishnamurti "lived the teachings" No nonsense with him. People are still alive who lived with the man in a communal setting. Now, Are there conflicting forms of enlightenment? Different levels of enlightenment? OR Is one completely right and the other completely a liar? There we have it! Could you please answer and give brief explanation sir. I'm curious to see what you say! Stefos

I disagree.......Dzogchen & Brahman are the same in their essential nature. Kadag & Lhundrub = Sat Chit Anand Both are empty & full NOT just Shunya.....sorry my man....I have to disagree player. The Theras Pali texts even slip up and include the famous "Unborn, Undying, Uncreated, Unformed" passage and that when you read it carefully is NOT talking about a big old void Shunya....It's talking about consciousness not Shunya. Read it yourself. Stefos

Who said they point to 2 different things? Have you attained to that level? Sir, humility is required especially when it comes to the "absolutes" of any spiritual path. Also, sir I'm not trying to elevate myself but I am trying to point out that the Pali texts are emphatically NOT indicative of what the Buddha first taught....they are redactions & are biased toward the Theras approach. Other ancient schools existed and it doesn't mean because they died out that the Theras OR any other group had the sum total of the Buddha's teachings En Toto, so to speak. Does this make sense? I know it does for me anyway. Stefos P.S. Take it easy, we are friends here NOT enemies. Let the ego drop....that's what I want.

HI Tibetan Ice, Hope you're doing well.......Just an FYI for you: This friday I meet with a Drikung Kagyu Lama regarding Mahamudra meditation & empowerment. I've already told him that I received transmission through CNN Rinpoche and actually belong to a Gar of Guru Norbu's as well. What do you think? Will he accept me as a student? Take care.......Thanks for the book recommend.........Sweet

Hey Player...How are you? Sat-Chit-Anand Brahman is emptiness.....Consciousness-Being-Bliss Shunya is what the Pali texts & their redactors say but the problem with them is that they just say Shunya. The Buddha said, in the Pali texts, that there is "This Consciousness shining everywhere which is Unborn, unoriginated, unproduced, unformed...If It were not so, I would have not told you." This is emphatically NOT just a mere void.....The Pali redactors who made their version of the Tripitaka slant it there own way. Don't forget folks, the "24 schools period" happened approx. 100-150 yrs after the Buddha died...Not to mention the Schism that happened. The Pali texts were NOT..NOT...NOT the only texts written...They are the only texts that survive. Wake up those of you who are enamored with the Pali texts as being THE definitive word of the Buddha par excellence. It just ain't so. Why are you so afraid to admit this true fact? Be honest & don't B.S. me........Live your Dharma!!! Comments? Stefos

Hi, The main issue sir/ma'am/miss is that the "WHERE" Dr. Steiner got his "stuff" was from higher worlds. Hence the "basic 5 works" which delineate his worldview: Philosophy of Freedom, Outline of Spiritual Science, How to know Higher worlds, Theosophy and The Way to Knowledge (I believe its' called). Dr. Steiner said essentially that one has to go through esoteric training to get what he got...Read his "How to know Higher Worlds." In that text, fundamental moods of soul are required as is moral & ethical training. Also, If you do a cross comparison, Dr. Steiner's view of esoteric training encompasses both Raja & Jnana Yog: For example, he mentions the "6 qualities that I student should work to gain"....These "qualities" are part of Jnana Yog training. However, Dr. Steiner mention that the Christ on the Cross was THE pivotal point in human evolution, a theme of his which he stressed over & over. Human evolution through successive reincarnations to Dr. Steiner is key to Blavatskian Theosophy in general not Christian Theosophy of Boehme. Krishnamurti said that reincarnation was NOT a good thing but something to be transcended by "Stepping out of the Stream, " Which is to say the stream of ego & selfishness.......... Krishnamurti also said NO Kundalini awakening will happen if the ego & selfishness exists at all! Tough words but his not mine..... You can youtube his video on Kundalini....I think it's Krishnamurti Kundalini.... Be blessed, Stefos

I wouldn't say teachings are hidden in God's word but hiddenly embedded below the immediate surface! Ex. Gematic values are quite real.......Why? Here you go! 70 nations in Genesis came from Shem, Ham & Japheth 70 Bulls sacrificed by Israel during the feast of atonement If I'm not mistaken 70 disciples beyond the 12 apostles commissioned by Jesus to spread the gospel 40 days & 40 nights....Noah's ark 40 years x 3.....The life of Moses was 40 yrs in Egypt, 40 yrs. in Midian, 40 years with children of Israel 40 is the difference when you add up the numbers when Abraham was discussing/bartering with the Lord in Genesis...Count & tell me if I'm wrong Jesus fasted 40 days & was tempted by the devil So, the written word....The "Old Testament" in particular or Tanakh is LOADED with hiddenly embedded meaning & underlying points....... Check out E.W. Bullinger's "Number in Scripture".......It's FREE online....Buy a copy for personal reference God bless you as you put his Kingdom first Stefos